Citation

Rebello LM. Cad. Saude Publica 1998; 14(3): 643-646.

Vernacular Title

Loucuras da fome.

Affiliation

Departamento de Ciências Sociais em Saúde, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rua Leopoldo Bulhões 1480, 8o andar, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brasil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Escola Nacional De Saude Publica)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9761620

Abstract

Based on a recently-published article on the triad of drought, hunger, and mental illness, in which the main idea is that destitution may be leading to behavioral disorders in the drought-plagued population of the Brazilian Northeast, we reflect on what this so-called 'madness' may represent for this group of people. We attempt to analyze the issue from various disciplinary perspectives, going beyond merely causal explanations and taking into account that the reported disorders entail meanings following the articulation of cognitive, affective, and experiential elements founded on the social and cultural relations of individuals. From this point of view, the respective discourse assumes other interpretations, showing that illness is a singular process of construction.

Language: pt