Anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems are usually considered to be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, and psychological factors. However, culture may also raise the risk of certain emotional reactions. In our recent book Borderline Personality Disorder For Dummies, we discuss the emphasis on individualism, prevalent in most Western cultures as a possible contributor to a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues.
Multiple studies have looked at how increasing people’s focus on themselves causes negative feelings and lowers the ability to solve problems. In the West, people tend to celebrate the self, move from their families in order to accelerate their careers, and lavish attention on individual accomplishments. By contrast, many traditional, Eastern cultures place more emphasis on families, communities, and interdependence. Support for one another has a central place in these cultures.
Does this cultural difference matter to people’s mental health? Well, a considerable body of research supports the view that self-absorption, a tendency to focus attention on oneself, increases the chances of having the following:
People with Borderline Personality Disorder often have a number of such symptoms. We aren’t saying that people with emotional disorders are too self absorbed. Rather, we’re suggesting that any culture which overly emphasizes individualism and personal gain may be doing so at a steep emotional cost for much of its populace.
Therefore, we often recommend that clients with emotional problems find volunteer work and other activities that connect them with people. Such work often improves their adjustment. Connections and social support may have more value than merely trying to boost self esteem. Speaking of self esteem, don’t forget to check out our free gift offer celebrating the 8th anniversary of our book “Hollow Kids: Recapturing the Soul of a Generation Lost to the Self Esteem Myth.”
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As a WASP I am very aware of this problem.
We are raised to have emotional control and to be aware of others, whether it is calmly calling ahead to the emergency room (it’s rude to just show up) after a fly fishing accident, or cutting oneself while tending the roses. Remember screaming does not stop bleeding. And simple things to make the world better, like moving to the side of the side-walk when tying a shoe or tending a baby. Can you believe that most people just stop and block traffic.
Our restraint is often misdiagnosed as wellness. Our mental illnesses are under diagnosed due to our behavioural control.
And of course this colours our image of others, it has taken years to realise that my wife is not insane just Roman Catholic. They seem to be more “emotionally engaged”, in touch with their more “animal” or “primitive” sides. It is quite colourful and entertaining.
That said is it possible that the more relaxed western cultures allows the diagnosis of illnesses that other cultures may mask. That masking does not mean the people are not suffering or that it does not limit their lives. They suffer unnoticed.
I totally agree with you about anxiety and depression being caused by genetics…
Because when kids grow up homes where there is anxiety and stress they tend to develop these habits from their parents…
It’s like a cycle or generational curse that needs to be broken by a generation…
Otherwise it’s just going to be an ongoing occurrence…
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