Citation

Pridmore S. Asian J. Psychiatry 2009; 2(4): 139-142.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajp.2009.10.004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

AIM: To examine for evidence of the persistence of psychopathology over millennia. The Australian Aboriginals have the oldest continuous culture on Earth.

METHOD: Australian Aboriginal stories were examined for evidence of behavior which could be understood in terms of current psychopathology. Efforts were made to avoid the confounds of culture.

RESULTS: Parts of stories were located which were consistent with (1) odd thinking and speech, inappropriate affect, eccentric behavior, and lack of close friends, (2) unexpected grandiosity and irritability in one twin, with pathologically low mood and suicide in the other, (3) sick role behavior and (4) malingering.

CONCLUSION: Certain aspects of human psychopathology have persisted for millennia. © 2009.

Language: en

Keywords

mental health; suicide; bipolar disorder; Bipolar disorder; affect; Schizotypal personality disorder; article; mental disease; priority journal; Aborigine; patient attitude; cultural anthropology; irritability; thinking; friend; Factitious disorder; Malingering; factitious disease; malingering; schizotypal personality disorder; speech; Aboriginal mental health; crow