Nosology and etiology of a spirit disorder vimbuza in Malawi

RESUMO

In this study the traditional and transitional nosology and etiology of the spirit disorder vimbuza was investigated by interviewing patients (n = 116) who were suffering from that condition. The illness concept was compared with western psychiatric classifications. As a result; 23 symptom descriptions were identified; 13 can be referred to as conversion or dissociation disorder and 7 to depressive neurosis. The remaining 3 symptom descriptions refer to an acute delusional or confusional state. Comparing the traditional and transitional symptom descriptions on the head and heart; a shift from the heart to the head becomes evident in the transitional or urban Malawian. The transitional etiology is the same as the traditional etiology; only that the transitional person more often refers to 'Too much thinking' and 'natural' than to 'bad ancestral spirits' and 'witchcraft'