Applying Medical Anthropology To A Chemistry Major

Applying Medical Anthropology To My Chemistry MajorChristopher Cody Bennett

My GoalDegree in ChemistryA BS in Chemistry is a way of differentiating myself from my peers, and prepares me for a rigorous journey through medical school.Becoming a Doctor will allow me to have hands on interactions with other people on a daily basis and help them make life changing decisions that have immediate impacts in their lives.

Why a degree in Chemistry?The chemicals within the body control everything that occurs. I plan on specializing in a medical field in which chemistry will be extremely important.Anesthesiology is all about balancing chemicals in the body to keep the patient unconscious and alive.I feel that starting my chemical education now allows me to be better educated to treat patients in the future.

Medical Anthropology in a world of ChemistryCombining a Medical Anthropology Minor with a Major in Chemistry will help my patients by:Allowing me to explain an illness while being consciously aware of their cultural beliefs for the illness.Allowing me to explain proposed treatments while being consciously aware of their cultural beliefs for proper treatment.

The difference it makes.Treatment or no treatmentIf I am not capable of explaining an illness, its cause, and the course of treatment in a way that makes cultural sense to my patient or their family, then there is a possibility of them refusing treatment.

Lets look at some cases this applies to

SustoCulture bound illness found in South America thought to be caused by the soul leaving the body. Symptoms include nervousness, insomnia, lethargy, listlessness, despondency, and muscle tics.Typically occurs after a traumatic event such as a relatives death, or an accident.Cultural treatment involves spiritual treatment by a spiritual leader to cleanse the body.

SustoTraditionally Susto would be healed by a spiritual leader but in some extreme cases spiritual cleansing may not be enough.The patient may seek aid from a medical professional.Since Susto is a cultural bound illness, the medical field views it by a different name, and has its own way of diagnosis and treatment.

DepressionA medical professional will most likely diagnose the patient with depression according to their symptoms.Depression is characterized by a feeling of hopelessness, insomnia, irritability, anxiousness, and thoughts of suicide.Notice that Susto and Depression share similar symptoms.Depression can be treated by the use of anti-depressants and participation in therapy.

How to explain the treatment in cultural termsThe illness has been identified, and treatment has been proposed.The medical professional is now faced with how to explain treatment for depression as treatment for Susto.They may have to explain anti-depressants as pills that cleanse the body of evil spirits, and harmonize the body to entice the spirit of the patient to return. Therapy may have to be explained as a process of coaxing the spirit of the patient to feel the need to return to the body.

Navajo Ghost SicknessAttributed to Native Americans, primarily the Navajo.Associated with the dead or dying. Believed to be a result of the dead trying to take the living to the spiritual plane, or communicate that they are not at peace.Caused by disturbing the dead, or not practicing proper rituals for the dead.Symptoms include general weakness, loss of appetite, feeling of suffocation, recurring nightmares, and feelings of terror.

Medical explanation for Navajo Ghost SicknessThe medical field is uncertain on whether this is an actual illness or psychotic disorder.Many point out its similarity to paranoia, but all are unified on psychological treatment for the sickness.Medical treatment may include the use of psychological drugs to bring the chemicals of the brain back into balance, the use of a psychiatrist, or a combination of the two.

Issues with treatmentThe Navajo believe that treating Navajo Ghost Sickness is done by having a religious figure perform funeral rituals over the patient to send the spirits of the dead back to their spiritual plane.Therapy and pills are nothing like a funeral ritual.This illness is viewed by the Navajo to be caused by spirits of the dead so treating the victim of the sickness would not make cultural sense to them.The Medical professional would have to explain the treatment as a way of strengthening the patients spirit and sending any spirits of the dead around the patient back to the spiritual plane.

Application in day to day medical practiceIts not everyday that a medical professional will be treating a Navajo Native American or a culture bound Susto illness from South America.However an education in the field of medical anthropology will prepare a medical professional to better treat their patients in any case of culture bound illnesses.

Applying Medical Anthropology to my futureI plan to practice medicine in the US until the age of 55.At that time I will file for early retirement and join forces with other medical professionals to work pro-bono (for free) in a developing nation.An education in Medical Anthropology will allow me communicate my diagnosis, and treatments to the natives of the developing nation that will make sense culturally to them.

Interested in medically serving developing nations?Partners In Health, founded in 1987 is a non-profit dedicated to preventing diseases before they occur in third-world countries.You can help by: DonatingFundraisingVolunteeringA link to their website is in the description below.

Questions about Medical Anthropology?Please visit the webpage of the Society of Medical Anthropology.A link has been provided in the description which directs you to the What is Medical Anthropology page for the Society of Medical Anthropology.