TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE AND MENTAL-EMOTIONAL DISORDERS Part 2

Another factor that influenced societal and medical approaches to mental-emotional disease in traditional Chinese culture was the role of the extended family unit. Just as self-denial and self-control were seen as necessary to keep peace within society, they were also seen as essential to keeping peace within the family. Thus, while the extended family on the one hand offers support and comfort, it also represents a great loss of persoanl freedom, especially given the way in which the parents were regarded as the unimpeachable head of the family and everybody else was required to obey their will. Modern studies in Taiwan have shown that the pressure on the eldest child is particularly intense, giving rise to statistically higher rates of mental disorders.

Undoubtedly, the extended family unit provided a great deal of emotional security and physical support. It was only within the family that emotional problems and deep feelings could be expressed. Outside the family, there was an enormous taboo on sharing personal problems with other individuals, including doctors.