THE CULTURAL-CONTEXT OF ANXIETY DISORDERS

This article summarizes current knowledge about social and ethnocultur al variations in the prevalence of anxiety disorders as well as in the ir symptomatology and course. Some of the substantial differences in r ates found in clinical epidemiologic studies probably are related to d ifferential patterns of help-seeking among different ethnic groups. Cu ltural factors play an important role in the interpretation of behavio rs, that is, whether there are reasons in family or social dynamics to make biased judgments about others. Substantial differences also have been found in the symptomatology of culture-related forms of anxiety disorders with variations in content and focus, and in accompanying so matic manifestations as well. Through the case study of a woman with p ost-traumatic stress disorder, the social embedding and cultural meani ng of anxiety in clinical practice are described, and culturally respo nsive strategies for diagnosis and treatment are outlined. Clinicians should be encouraged to think of innovative ways of approaching anxiet y in its social and cultural context.