Lin K M, Cheung F
Department of Psychiatry and Research Center on the Psychobiology of Ethnicity, Harbor-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance 90502, USA.
Psychiatr Serv. 1999 Jun;50(6):774-80. doi: 10.1176/ps.50.6.774.
One of fastest-growing population groups in recent decades, Asian Americans represent a vastly diversified and rich mixture of cultures, languages, beliefs, and practices, many of which differ widely from those of European Americans. As immigrants, Asian Americans have experienced and continue to experience various emotional and behavioral problems. However, they tend to underuse existing services except those that are culturally appropriate and linguistically compatible. Misdiagnosis frequently occurs, and the existence of culture-bound syndromes points to a lack of precise correspondence between indigenous labels and established diagnostic categories. Due to Asian traditions of viewing the body and mind as unitary rather than dualistic, patients tend to focus more on physical discomforts than emotional symptoms, leading to an overrepresentation of somatic complaints. Traditional practices and healing methods are frequently used to alleviate distress both before and after patients and their family members approach the conventional mental health care system. Help seeking typically is a family venture. Asian patients respond well to highly structured therapeutic interventions such as those used in behavioral, cognitive, and interpersonal models. When applying pharmacotherapy, clinicians should pay attention to Asians' unique responses to psychotropics, especially in regard to dosage requirements and side effects. Research in this area as well as on other important issues is in the early stage of development.
近几十年来增长最快的人群之一，亚裔美国人代表了极其多样化和丰富的文化、语言、信仰及习俗的混合体，其中许多与欧裔美国人的差异很大。作为移民，亚裔美国人经历了并继续经历各种情绪和行为问题。然而，除了那些在文化上合适且语言上匹配的服务外，他们往往很少利用现有的服务。误诊经常发生，文化相关综合征的存在表明本土标签与既定诊断类别之间缺乏精确对应。由于亚洲人将身心视为一个整体而非二元对立的传统，患者往往更关注身体不适而非情绪症状，导致躯体主诉过多。在患者及其家庭成员接触传统心理健康护理系统之前和之后，传统做法和治疗方法经常被用于缓解痛苦。寻求帮助通常是一项家庭事务。亚裔患者对行为、认知和人际模型中使用的高度结构化治疗干预反应良好。在应用药物治疗时，临床医生应注意亚洲人对精神药物的独特反应，尤其是在剂量要求和副作用方面。该领域以及其他重要问题的研究尚处于早期发展阶段。
