Recovery From Schizophrenia: Psychiatry And Political Economy

THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF SCHIZOPHRENIA 171• People with schizophrenia in the Third World are more readily returned to auseful working role.• In the developing world, outcome from schizophrenia is worse among thebetter educated—a finding that may be explained by the greater labor marketstresses affecting the educated.• The folk diagnosis of insanity stresses violence and disruption, and manypeople suffering from psychosis in the developing world escape this label.• Many of those with psychosis in the Third World are not stigmatized andsome may even rise in status.• Although some people suffering from psychosis in non-industrial societies maybe brutally treated, in the majority of cases vigorous and optimistic efforts aremade to achieve a cure.• Curing rituals encourage broad community involvement and aid the socialreintegration of those who suffer from mental illness.• The optimistic social consensus mobilized by the curing ceremony may aidrecovery from emotional disorders.• Family patterns of support in the Third World are better suited to therehabilitation of people with schizophrenia.