Mental illness in India: historical, cultural and visual gap in the analyses of stigma

Abstract

ABSTRACT The concept of mental illness is variable and evolves over time, particularly across different geographical and cultural contexts. Cultural, social, religious, ethnic, geographical, and anthropological factors influence how individuals perceive mental disorders. This suggests that the understanding of illness and its treatment vary depending on the cultural environment in which it arises, thereby challenging universal psychiatric categorizations. Despite extensive studies on the stigma and history of mental illness in the Western context, research on Eastern perspectives, particularly in India, is limited. This study aims to address this gap by focusing on India as a case study and proposing a reinterpretation of the traditional mindset and historical reliance on nonmedical treatments for mental disorders. The study also analyzes concepts similar to those of mental illness found within the ancient Rig Veda books. Additionally, the research traces the history of the emergence of asylums in India, which were unknown before the arrival of the Portuguese. This review seeks to raise awareness of the concept of mental illness in India and of the lack of a study on Western influences contributing to the stigma surrounding mental disorders. Finally, field research utilizing past and future photography is proposed.