The growing number of people suffering from depression has become a social problem in Japan. The problems associated with depression in Japan have been influenced by the pharmaceuticalization of mental health. Since s...The growing number of people suffering from depression has become a social problem in Japan. The problems associated with depression in Japan have been influenced by the pharmaceuticalization of mental health. Since selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were introduced to Japan＇s pharmaceutical market in 1999, demand for anti-depressant medications has rapidly expanded. It seems likely then that the efforts of pharmaceutical companies, as part of their marketing strategies, to increase people＇s awareness of mental illness have led people who are not actually depressed to have medical consultations and drug treatments for it. This phenomenon is known as ＂disease mongering＂ and has been reported on. Problems exist from the medical perspective also and include the following： expansion of the diagnostic criteria for depression as formulated in the American Psychiatric Association＇s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; treatments that rely heavily on drugs; and biomedicalization. Another reason for the increase in medical consultations is the declining function of communal bodies. This has resulted in individuals struggling psychologically, for example, with anxiety, worry, and depression. In summary, this sociological research analyzed the problems of depression in ｜apan and revealed how the pharmaceuticalization of mental health accelerates the individualization of social problem.展开更多
Hwabyung is an indigenous psychiatric illness commonly found among Korean women. Using hwabyung, this article describes the psychological ramifications of immigration experiences among Korean immigrant women in the Un...Hwabyung is an indigenous psychiatric illness commonly found among Korean women. Using hwabyung, this article describes the psychological ramifications of immigration experiences among Korean immigrant women in the United States. Data collected from an anonymous survey of adult Korean immigrant women （n = 143） were used for a statistical analysis. The findings highlight the significant effects of self-esteem, social support, financial hardship, and family cohesion on the changes in the hwabyung symptoms among Korean immigrant women. Based on the findings, the implications for practice and future study are discussed. Also discussed are the global significance of migrant women and their mental health issues.展开更多
文摘The growing number of people suffering from depression has become a social problem in Japan. The problems associated with depression in Japan have been influenced by the pharmaceuticalization of mental health. Since selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were introduced to Japan＇s pharmaceutical market in 1999, demand for anti-depressant medications has rapidly expanded. It seems likely then that the efforts of pharmaceutical companies, as part of their marketing strategies, to increase people＇s awareness of mental illness have led people who are not actually depressed to have medical consultations and drug treatments for it. This phenomenon is known as ＂disease mongering＂ and has been reported on. Problems exist from the medical perspective also and include the following： expansion of the diagnostic criteria for depression as formulated in the American Psychiatric Association＇s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; treatments that rely heavily on drugs; and biomedicalization. Another reason for the increase in medical consultations is the declining function of communal bodies. This has resulted in individuals struggling psychologically, for example, with anxiety, worry, and depression. In summary, this sociological research analyzed the problems of depression in ｜apan and revealed how the pharmaceuticalization of mental health accelerates the individualization of social problem.
文摘Hwabyung is an indigenous psychiatric illness commonly found among Korean women. Using hwabyung, this article describes the psychological ramifications of immigration experiences among Korean immigrant women in the United States. Data collected from an anonymous survey of adult Korean immigrant women （n = 143） were used for a statistical analysis. The findings highlight the significant effects of self-esteem, social support, financial hardship, and family cohesion on the changes in the hwabyung symptoms among Korean immigrant women. Based on the findings, the implications for practice and future study are discussed. Also discussed are the global significance of migrant women and their mental health issues.
