Although many cultures accept the reality of mental illness,
some consider it taboo. Identifying the barriers presented by
patients’ beliefs is important. They may identify the illness
as “nerves,” possession by spirits, somatic complaints, or inexplicable
misfortune. In immigrant families, many times
the children accept Western mores and beliefs about many
things, including mental illness, while the adults continue
their taboo attitudes. In such situations, encouraging family
support for the patient is difficult. Other individuals rely