The role of the cultural context in symptomatology

DSM-5 gives an appendix of information about multicultural aspects of diagnosis. It is divided into two sections. The first section is an “outline for cultural formulation” that is intended to supplement the multiaxial diagnostic assessment and to address complexities that arise when applying DSM-5 criteria in a multicultural environment. It systematically reviews peoples’ cultural backgrounds, the role of the cultural context in symptomatology, and also cultural differences between the patient and clinician.

The second section is a glossary of “culture-bound syndromes.” For instance, hwa-byung (also known as wool-hwa-byung) is a Korean folk syndrome attributed to the suppression of anger. Its symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, panic, fear of impending death, dysphoric effect, indigestion, anorexia, dyspnea, palpitations, generalized aches and pains, and a feeling of a mass in the upper middle region of the abdomen.

Explain how culture affects what is considered normal and abnormal, and describe one different culture-specific disorder using the attached reference list.