Finals

• Filipino Psychopathology


  The study of Abnormal Psychology in the Filipino context
• There are several 'mental' disorders that can be found only in the Philippines, or in other nations which Filipinos share racial connections
• Filipino Psychopathology


  Refers to the different manifestations of mental disorders in Filipino people
• Manifestation of depression and Schizophrenia in Filipinos

  • Less violent
• Culture-bound Syndromes (CBS)


  A combination of psychiatric & somatic symptoms that are considered to be a recognizable disease only within a specific society/culture
• Characteristics of CBS


  • Categorization as a disease in the culture (not a voluntary behavior/false claim)
  • Widespread familiarity in the culture
  • No objectively demonstrable biochemical or tissue abnormalities (signs)
  • The condition is usually recognized and treated by the folk medicine of the culture
• Amok


  Malayan mood disorder, more aptly called 'Austronesian Mood Disorder', in which a person suddenly loses control of himself and goes into a killing frenzy, after which he/she is going to hallucinate and falls into a trance. After he/she wakes up, he has absolutely no memory of the event
• Characteristics associated with amok

  • Anger
  • Depression
  • Antisocial personality
  • Having experienced significant personal losses
  • Thoughts centering on hopelessness and revenge
• The idea that amok is restricted to South East Asia has crumbled. The rising rates of indiscriminate killings at the hands of seemingly deranged individuals has reignited questions about the geography of the condition
• Amok should be considered the possible outcome of an undiagnosed or untreated psychiatric condition
• Usog


  Primarily affects infants and young children who have been greeted by a stranger; once affected, the child may develop fever and convulsions
• The only scientific explanation for usog may be that the child becomes extremely stressed by the stranger, resulting in extreme physical symptoms
• Pasma


  The concept of init (heat) and lamig (cold) and how the blending of these two can result in illnesses, especially rheumatism
• When someone has been constantly under heat pressure or has been overworking all day long, their muscles are therefore in state of "init" (heat). Once these muscles are abruptly brought in contact with "lamig" (cold) water or air, it will result to pasma
• Another examples are when a person has been reading, facing the computer, and sleeping while hair is still wet. When all these factors are repeatedly done, it might cause death (that's what they say)
• Lanti


  A Bisayan Filipino illness that results when one is either directly or indirectly frightened. The patient may be startled or another member of the family is frightened. Since a mystical bond connects two persons (ex. mother and child), the emotional shock of this experience is transferred to the child, resulting in sickness
• Bangungot


  A relatively common occurrence in which a person suddenly loses control of his respiration and digestion, and falls into a coma and ultimately to death. The person is believed to dream of falling into a deep abyss at the onset of his death
• Bangungot has been repeatedly linked to Thailand's Brugada syndrome (sudden cardiac death) and to the ingestion of rice. However, no such medical ties have been noted
• Filipino Psychomedicine


  The application of basic psychology to native healing practices loosely considered as 'medicine'
• These practices are closely tied to the faith healers, as well as to the native pagan priestesses like the babaylan or katalonan, who were exterminated by the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines
• Herbolaryo/Albularyo


  Considered general practitioners. The Albularyo has a fervent religiosity, in the God or spirits guiding him in his healing practices, profusely infused with good doses of prayers, bulongs or orasyons, rituals and/or sacrificial offerings. Often lacking in formal education, his skills are based on and honed from hand-me-down practices and lore, with a long period of understudy or apprenticeship with a family elder or a local healer
• Hilot


  The use of massage to aid a pregnant mother in the delivery of her child
• Kulam


  The use of voodoo of a mambabarang to conjure up a spell, which she is to recite while piercing the body of a ragdoll, supposedly representing that of the person she is to cause sickness
• Lihi


  Intense craving from something or someone during pregnancy. Faith healers or manghihilot testify that if the craving was not followed, abnormality of the child may result
• Tawas


  A popular diagnostic ritual performed by most alternative healers that serves in providing clues as to the nature and cause of the illness. Tawas refers to a diagnostic ritual or procedure, utilizing a variety of materials: candles, eggs, mirrors, plain paper, cigarette rolling-paper, and alum
• When medical science in the world of the living cannot cure unexplainable conditions, Filipinos resort to traditional methods, reaching out to the spiritual world in various ways
• The great majority of the Philippine population is bound together by common values and a common religion. Philippine society is characterized by many positive traits.
• Positive Filipino values, traits, and characteristics

  • Strong religious faith
  • Respect for authority
  • High regard for amor proprio (self-esteem)
  • Smooth interpersonal relationships
• Bayanihan Spirit


  A Filipino custom derived from the Tagalog word "bayan" for nation, town or community. Bayanihan literally means "being in a bayan" and it refers to a fundamental aspect of Filipino culture: working together as a community to achieve a common goal.
• Bayanihan Spirit


  • Helping a family move their entire house to a new location
• The bayanihan spirit lives on among Filipinos even in modern days and has been demonstrated in many forms, such as when natural calamities or disasters strike. Filipinos will go out of their way to help their kababayans in need.
• Panata


  A description of Filipino religiosity & spirituality. We believe in the true presence of God whom helps us to have unyielding faith during difficult times. It is an enabled act that is a direct relational process of bargaining with God, contracting with Him in the categories of reciprocity that makes sense to human nature.
• Panata


  • The procession of the Black Nazarene, the largest procession in the country
• Harana


  During the old times and in the rural areas of the Philippines, Filipino men would make harana (serenade) the women at night and sing songs of love and affection.
• Paninilbihan


  A traditional courtship practice where the pursuer (usually the man), offers to do certain household chores to prove he is responsible and able to take care of the woman's family.
• Pamamanhikan


  A Filipino tradition where the man and his parents visit the woman's family and ask for her parents' blessings to marry their daughter. It is also an occasion for the parents to get to know each other.
• Pananagutan


  Meeting responsibilities and fulfilling promises. Performing one's duties as expected and delivering what is required. Taking responsibility for personal mistakes and facing the consequences.
• Pagpapatawad


  Forgiveness, involving a decision to let go of resentment and thoughts of revenge. Forgiveness brings a kind of peace that helps one go on with life.
• Katatagan (Resilience)


  The capacity to return to a stable state after a significant disruption. Being able to bounce back immediately after a hardship, all the while offering help and warmth to other people.
• While Filipinos are known for being resilient, this value has been exploited and romanticized, and should not be used as an excuse for lack of government action and support.