Treatment of Immigrant Indian Patients

Abstract

When immigrant Indian patients develop psychiatric illness, they face many disadvantages such as the lack of family support and shame for becoming sick. In treating them, a knowledge of their cultural values and communication, is necessary. While taking history, reluctance of these patients to discuss sexual and aggressive feelings should be respected. Patients’ harmony with the family and significant others is the goal of treatment rather than the patients’ growth; interdependence and not independence is favored. Free expression of emotions create a dysphoric milieu. A careful assessment of psychopathology and dynamics and psychotherapy integrating these cultural factors is important to promote changes that are therapeutic.