Page 15 - NAMAH-Jan-2017
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Namah Cultural U-turns in understanding mental health
Inter-generational transmission of trauma mental ill-health, alongside the evidence of
Whittaker (21) and Davies (22). It illustrates
Epigenetics is the study of body cells how important it is for patients to explore
influenced by external or environmental their narratives in non-judgmental company.
factors (beyond the genes). The theory In the West, is it because we are not sure about
of epigenetic inheritance suggests, for what happens after death, that we become
example, that the Nazi holocaust trauma confused about psychosis, and near-death
in one generation passes on to the next experiences? Although some people accept
generation, through the genes. “Genetic consciousness after death, many may have
changes stemming from the trauma suffered problems with non-corporeal discarnate
by Holocaust survivors are capable of being entities with personality, except perhaps
passed on to their children, the clearest sign some Africans (23).
yet that one person’s life experience can
affect subsequent generations (14)”. Post- What is or is not mental health?
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
Trauma could occur across generations, The question as to what is or is not a mental
to the children of people who had direct health problem is extremely contentious. This
experience (15, 16). depends on the ways people interpret their
symptoms or their conditions (even the word
Then there were those, who had Holocaust ‘symptom’ is value laden).
memories which came from another’s existence,
and these included Shahar (17), Wardle (18), Let us explore assumptions around the terms
and Gershom (19). I am interested, as I too ’knowledge’ and ‘belief’. We need to consider
had memories from beyond birth, but not many perspectives for healthcare in our
as far as I am aware, from my ancestral line. multi-cultural societies. In the past we became
accustomed to an ‘us and them’ approach
Implications of survival beliefs (24): that is we (Westerners) had ‘knowledge’
(correct explanation) whereas they (others)
Is it possible that those with mental distress had ‘beliefs’ (which were erroneous).
or extreme experiences are triggered not
only by trauma from their current human Although it is clear what is and is not a mental
existence, but also from one or more previous health problem, in practice, we become
incarnations? Perhaps sufferers are sensitive concerned when people cannot stop the
to a previous scenario, or have developed experience at will, or do not have the relevant
PTSD from a remote memory? Is this possible? framework of understanding.
Indian psychiatrists suggest that influences
on mental well-being may go beyond birth Is it possible that people experiencing
and childhood and include past lives and mental distress episodes are having spiritual
karma (20). experiences, but cannot switch them off? If
they become hyper-sensitive or confused by
This material on ‘memories’ invites me to being caught up in visions, surely this would
question the ‘diseases of the brain’ model of result in anxiety or distress?
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