Medical practitioners need to provide culturally sensitive treatment to members of the Deaf community with psychiatric disorders to ensure they are diagnosed correctly and receive appropriate treatment, says Wolters Kluwer Health.
The report was published in the March Journal of Psychiatric Practice. The authors reviewed the limited research literature available about the mental health care of Deaf patients who communicate via American Sign Language (ASL) or gestures.
Communication strategies: Communication is challenging for Deaf people who communicate in sign language or in gestures.
"Deaf individuals comprise a cultural and linguistic minority group within the United States, and culturally and linguistically appropriate psychiatric treatment must reflect these differences," according to Sarah A. Landsberger, PhD, and coauthors of the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
There are approximately 1.2 Americans with profound hearing loss. Some Deaf people are unable to hear most sounds, even with assistive listening devices such as hearing aids. Some Deaf people identify themselves as part of the Deaf community, with a unique language sign and culture.
Sign language is complex and complete with its own syntax, grammar and vocabulary. These Deaf people do not think of their hearing loss as a disability. ...Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/deaf-people-with-mental-illness-need-culturally-sensitive-treatment
