Psychological disorders -- similarity of Western vs. Russian taxonomy & etiology

[Journeyman]

Does anybody have any familiarity with the current field of psychology or psychiatry in Russian (FSU) society? 

Is there any kind of similarity in the taxonomy and thinking about the etiology for disorders as between Russian versus Western schools of thought or traditions in practice? 

Also, even if psychological professionals in the FSU are possibly working along similar lines to their colleagues in the West, to what degree might there be a disconnect between the current psychological theory in current standards of professional practice in the FSU, versus the "normal" or "traditional" thinking about such problems in the general society?

Most RW with whom I have spoken say that the average person in the FSU would have little use for anything like the DSM-IV or the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) that seems to be followed by the WHO (World Health Organization). 

Journeyman

[Blues Fairy]

Also, even if psychological professionals in the FSU are possibly working along similar lines to their colleagues in the West, to what degree might there be a disconnect between the current psychological theory in current standards of professional practice in the FSU, versus the "normal" or "traditional" thinking about such problems in the general society?

Medical professionals follow the МКБ-10 (ICD version 10), translated by the Moscow WHO center and edited to adapt the classification to local specifics.  As for general population, how can one even assess what the concepts of psychological disorders are among ordinary people.  Most people will have heard of depression and schizophrenia etc., and some whose relatives are patients may even have more intimate knowledge of particular diagnoses.  But don't expect great awareness of the psychiatric taxonomy among laymen in Russia (as anywhere else).  In general, being a psychiatric patient in Russia is connected with a certain stigma, therefore many people with serious symptoms are in total denial.  

I find that books and texts on child psychology published in Russia are way behind the current Western research.

[Gator]

I am not a professional, yet I have some experience with this.

Having been married to a clinically depressed woman for 25 years, I know a lot about psychiatry.  So I took this knowledge with me to Russia to make sure that I did not marry someone with some untreated mental condition.

There is no reason to believe that clinical depression is less prevalent in Russia, yet not one RW knew what I was talking about.  They said, "I do not have time to get depressed."  Or, "You Americans have too much time and too much money to spend it on psychiatrists."  The Russian way is to leave skeletons in the closet.

I wanted my future wife to consult with a psychiatrist about some issues from her youth that would be a burden on anyone.  It was difficult to find a psychiatrist.  We found a psychologist whose method was basically to start making life decisions for her patients. This is not teaching someone how to swim.

Are Slavic people immune?  No.  One of my wife's friends who moved to America from the FSU 8 years ago is bipolar.  So severe that she is delusional (hears voices) and would wander around the city without ID or money or keys.  She needs her daily meds.

[Mir]

So severe that she is delusional (hears voices)

Delusion is a term used for irrational beliefs (like being deceived or being abducted by aliens)
In the context of this board people who feel that beautiful 18 year old FSU girls will fall on their feet as soon as they step out of the plane are delusional.

Hearing voices is an auditory hallucination usually seen in Schizophrenia.

Interestingly one of the first classic description of a man with Schizophrenia in literature was by a Russian/Ukrainian writer in 'Diary of a madman' by Nikolai Gogol (1835).
It can be assumed that Gogol would have had ample opportunity of observing such disorders to portray such an accurate picture.

[OlgaH]

Is there any kind of similarity in the taxonomy and thinking about the etiology for disorders as between Russian versus Western schools of thought or traditions in practice? 

Journeyman

Journeyman,

you also can contact the candidate of psychological sciences Yu.N. Oleinik 

http://psyche.ru/en/

[OlgaH]

Interestingly one of the first classic description of a man with Schizophrenia in literature was by a Russian/Ukrainian writer in 'Diary of a madman' by Nikolai Gogol (1835).
It can be assumed that Gogol would have had ample opportunity of observing such disorders to portray such an accurate picture.

Diagnosing literary genius  By Irina Sirotkina

http://books.google.com/books?id=ZHAxxzwIRtUC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=Diagnosing+literary+genius++By+Irina+Sirotkina+Gogol+Moralists+and&source=bl&ots=NrpuNRW-fq&sig=83avX_BKgHFBycI4FyAIbFGgS2Y&hl=en&ei=b_ImSrj_D5eMtgf3goHcBg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1

[OlgaH]

I find that books and texts on child psychology published in Russia are way behind the current Western research.

What Russian authors have you read? 

[Gator]

Delusion is a term used for irrational beliefs (like being deceived or being abducted by aliens)
In the context of this board people who feel that beautiful 18 year old FSU girls will fall on their feet as soon as they step out of the plane are delusional.

Hearing voices is an auditory hallucination usually seen in Schizophrenia.

To quote:  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm

"In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria are common. People experiencing a manic episode often talk a mile a minute, sleep very little, and are hyperactive. They may also feel like they’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for greatness."

"But while mania feels good at first, it has a tendency to spiral out of control. People often behave recklessly during a manic episode­: gambling away savings, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, or making foolish business investments, for example. They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive – picking fights, lashing out when others don’t go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticizes their behavior.  Some people even become delusional or start hearing voices."

I dated such a woman after my divorce.  Some of the manic symptoms were thrilling experiences.  Others were frightening.
 
25 years of marriage to a depressed spouse plus 3 months with a bipolar woman.  How did I survive?  The worse part of being married to someone who suffers from clinical depression is that you exhibit many of the symptoms of depression.  RW are the only cure.

[Gator]

In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria are common. People experiencing a manic episode often talk a mile a minute, sleep very little, and are hyperactive. They may also feel like they’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for greatness.

But while mania feels good at first, it has a tendency to spiral out of control. People often behave recklessly during a manic episode­: gambling away savings, engaging in inappropriate sexual activity, or making foolish business investments, for example. They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive – picking fights, lashing out when others don’t go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticizes their behavior. 

Seriously, does this remind anyone of a certain RWD member?

[Blues Fairy]

What Russian authors have you read? 

Quite a few.  Please make your point, Olga.

[OlgaH]

Quite a few.  Please make your point, Olga.

I find that books and texts on child psychology published in Russia are way behind the current Western research.

I respectively disagree with you that child psychology published in Russia are way behind the current Western research  

http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1912/Developmental-Theory-VYGOTSKIAN-THEORY.html


Dr. Svetlana Masgutova, a Russian psychologist and founder of a method of childhood reflex integration, has done extensive research into the infant and childhood reflexes. Her research has made a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge of how motor patterning stimulates brain development.
http://www.masgutovamethod.com/founder.htm

[Faux Pas]

Seriously, does this remind anyone of a certain RWD member?

I can think of one 

[SANDRO43]

Seriously, does this remind anyone of a certain RWD member?

Symptomatology is woefully incomplete, no mention of fire-dancing or cabinet-making .

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InSn2BLDwfQ[/youtube]

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD8HDta7Z_4[/youtube]

[gemini]

Does anybody have any familiarity with the current field of psychology or psychiatry in Russian (FSU) society? 

Is there any kind of similarity in the taxonomy and thinking about the etiology for disorders as between Russian versus Western schools of thought or traditions in practice? 

Also, even if psychological professionals in the FSU are possibly working along similar lines to their colleagues in the West, to what degree might there be a disconnect between the current psychological theory in current standards of professional practice in the FSU, versus the "normal" or "traditional" thinking about such problems in the general society?

Most RW with whom I have spoken say that the average person in the FSU would have little use for anything like the DSM-IV or the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) that seems to be followed by the WHO (World Health Organization). 

Journeyman

Personality  disorders don’t exist in Russian psychiatry. I was trying to explain to PhD in Russian psychiatry what borderline personality disorder is, he had no idea.
 

"You Americans have too much time and too much money to spend it on psychiatrists."

I think there is some truth in it.
It was the department for patient with personality disorders in psychiatric hospital where I was doing an observership. There were one physician and full medical staff for 13 women with the main problem: they were hurting themselves trying to attract more attention. It would be too luxury in Russian hospital. 
It is the same with depression. There are not less depression in Russia but when it is recession forever, she is single mom with poor salary, or he is father of the family with poor salary trying to survive, it seems “normal” she(he) is always sad.
The diseases are not different but the  approach is different in wellbeing society vs rather poor one.

[OlgaH]

Personality  disorders don’t exist in Russian psychiatry. I was trying to explain to PhD in Russian psychiatry what borderline personality disorder is, he had no idea.
 

I would tell it was a very strange PhD in Russian psychiatry    because every psychiatric clinic in Russia has a department for people with borderline personality disorder (Пограничное расстройство личности). You can google Психиатрическая больница Отделение пограничных состояний 

[gemini]

I would tell it was a very strange PhD in Russian psychiatry    because every psychiatric clinic in Russia has a department for people with borderline personality disorder (Пограничное расстройство личности). You can google Психиатрическая больница Отделение пограничных состояний 

It was probably the bad explanation. 

[Sculpto]

interesting read...

http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2007/08/is_russia_entering_a.html

[mendeleyev]

Does anybody have any familiarity with the current field of psychology or psychiatry in Russian (FSU) society?

It's what my MIL teaches at a University in Moscow. She loves Freud but while I can't profess any expertise on the exact psychiatry practiced in Russia, do have some personal experiences with it.

My first permanent apartment in Moscow (a decade ago) was backed up to a prison yard on one side and a mental hospital across the street. The black and white TV in the living room had lousy reception at best so in the evenings my entertainment was the guys out in the yard. It had a bed, unlike most Russian apartments where the Euro sofa slides out to a bed at night, and my late night entertainment was laying there listening to the electric shock treatments going on at the hospital.

The electric wires in our building would start to buzz and the lights would glow low for several seconds and then the buzzing would stop and the bulbs brighten up again. The elevator lift in the building was very antique and it moved slowly with all sorts of grinding noises. If it was moving when a electric shock was administered the dang thing would just hover and shake in mid air until full power came back on before it would restart.

That was humourous. I can't say with certainly that they were tied to the shock treatments because my request for a tour was denied, but the screams were not funny. I did a story anyway and came very close to getting expelled from the country only 4 months into my posting. After the story ran I was given 48 hours to move. Ended up in a much nicer part of Moscow in much nicer apartment at $100 month less rent so it worked out.

Here are a couple of links you might enjoy: http://www.med.yale.edu/chldstdy/IACAPAP/997/997-15.htm
and http://www.nature.com/mp/journal/v9/n11/full/4001603a.html