Abstract
This paper is divided into two parts. First I argue for the existence of a death-conscious culture in Iran, traceable in religious and literary texts, and manifested strongly in the discourse following the Iran–Iraq war. I then look at how this culture influences articulations and experiences of depression as felt by Iranian patients. Adopting a phenomenological perspective and drawing on empirical data, I show how death-consciousness, as a point of cultural divergence between the UK and Iran, can be used to account for some of the phenomenologically significant cultural variations in the experience of depression. These include attitudes towards suicide, the significance of feelings of hopelessness, and the existence of a sense of absurdity among Iranian patients.
Highlights
This paper aims to show the effects of the death-conscious culture of Iran on articulations and experiences of depression
In this paper I have argued that Iran has a death-conscious culture
The existence of this culture is manifest through the religious teachings, as well as in many literary works, religiously oriented and otherwise. This culture has been made even stronger following the Iran–Iraq war and the discourse around the war which remains a strong factor in the way Iranians think about and relate to death
Summary
This paper aims to show the effects of the death-conscious culture of Iran on articulations and experiences of depression. Compared to the responses from the UK, for example, the level of detail provided by Iranian patients is much lower, leaving many questions open to speculation and interpretation This methodology has at least established the various themes that are talked about in the context of experiences of depression in Iran, and particular ways of articulating these. Certain symptoms and manifestations of depression among Iranian patients can be analysed and accounted for through the examination of the death-conscious culture of Iran. Such an analysis, in addition to accounting for the phenomenological significance of these experiences, explains the way in which these experiences vary due to cultural differences. Once the central role of death and awareness of it is established, there can be an argument regarding the ways in which this notion influences experiences of depression and responses to it
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