Respond to this discussion
Discussion: Susto The condition I chose to is Susto, or loss of spirit. Susto, also called "fright sickness" is caused by a frightening or traumatic experience that "scares" the person's spirit out of their body and causes symptoms such as chills, lethargy, anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, anorexia, loss of strength, and disinterest in personal appearance (Carteret, 2011 & Spector, 2009). Anyone, regardless of gender or socio-economic class, can suffer from susto. A traumatic experience might be an accident, loss of a loved one, or even major changes.
Treatment herbal teas, covering the face with a cloth and sprinkling with holy water, spitting alcohol or water into the person's face unexpectedly or a cleansing ritual called a limpieza performed by a curandero/a (Carteret, 2011). A limpieza is a ritual cleansing of the body and spirit. An object, such as a cloth, a live fowl, an egg, or other object is passed over the person's body and then thrown or taken away (Otero, 2008). This is believed to take away the illness from the body and spirit simultaneously.
I believe that the Curandero's practices would not interfere with Western medicinal practices as long as it is used as complementary. Some of these symptoms may be caused by a more serious condition and other medical treatment may be required. The person could be experiencing PTSD, bipolar disorder, or other mental or physical diseases that need other treatment.
However, if the condition is purely mental, the belief of the patient alone in treatment very well may cure them. Carteret, M. (2011) Folk illnesses and remedies in Latino communities.
Dimensions of Culture.
Retrieved from https://www.dimensionsofculture.com/2010/10/folk-illnesses-and-remedies-in-latino-communities/ Otero, S. (2008).
Santeria health systems: looking at 'la limpieza'. Folklife in Louisiana.
Retrieved from https://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/LFMsanteria.html Spector, R.E. (2009).
Cultural diversity in health and illness (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.