Our Families are Killing Us - by Sarah Clausen
OUR FAMILIES ARE KILLING US
By Sarah Clausen
Caprivi Region Background:
An upsurge in illness and death has occurred in the Caprivi Region in Africa due to the HIV prevalence rates of 43% amongst the adult population. Although this is a known diagnosis of HIV, few claimed to know anyone with AIDS and even fewer had taken an HIV test. This is because people of the Caprivi region believe that the illnesses are associated with witchcraft and not HIV or AIDS (Thomas 281).
Witchcraft:
In this article, Felicity Thomas stated that “witchcraft accusations are commonly associated with major socioeconomic changes as well as strained relations within a society” (Thomas 281). Research was done in the 1960s and the conclusion was that, people of the Caprivi Region believe them, it is because of someone who has malice in them who wants to do harm to others. Subsequently, the symptoms that correspond with the illness that’s
“caused” by witchcraft, are the same symptoms associated with HIV and AIDS (Thomas 281).
Coping in Caprivi:
In Caprivi, witchcraft isn’t the fault of the individual and blame can be externalized to outside sources. Thus, this is very compelling to victims of HIV or AIDS because it means that they are not to blame for their illness. This became their active coping strategy which
“enabled the ill person to receive continued care and sympathy, and enabled open discussion of the illness without stigmatizing the household” (Thomas 282). Due to this, the accusations go towards those with suspicion of malice and/or jealousy. The biggest suspects for these accusations of witchcraft are family members, hence the title of the article, which is “Our Families Are Killing Us” (Thomas).
Family members or friends are the first suspects when it comes to accusations of witchcraft.
Coping Background:
Changes trigger coping, which is in response to psychological stress. Coping is the body’s way of trying to maintain one’s mental health and emotional well-being. There are also maladaptive coping mechanisms, which are ineffective. They are counterproductive and are usually applied to stressful events and/or internal conflicts. There are active and avoidant coping strategies. The active mechanism is aware of the stressor and wants to get rid of the negative outcomes. The avoidant ignores the issue that often results in activities of denial of the problem such as excessive drinking, sleeping, or isolating oneself (UCLA).
Specific Coping Strategies:
● Humor -- positive reframing, making light of the problem
● Seeking Support -- emotional support from family members or friends
● Problem-Solving -- locate the problem and determine the solution
● Relaxation -- engaging in relaxing activities
● Physical Recreation -- regular exercise like running, sports, yoga, and meditating
● Adjusting Expectations -- anticipating changes in life in order to prepare for when that time comes
● Denial -- altogether avoidance with distractions like excessive alcohol consumption, overworking, and sleeping more than usual
● Self- Blame -- internalization of the issue, blaming yourself, low self-esteem, and sometimes depression
● Venting -- talking with family or friends, although, ruminating on the negative can lead to strained relationships over time
References
UCLA. “How Do You Cope?” How Do You Cope? | Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, 2020, www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/How_Do_You_ Cope.
By Sarah Clausen
Caprivi Region Background:
An upsurge in illness and death has occurred in the Caprivi Region in Africa due to the HIV prevalence rates of 43% amongst the adult population. Although this is a known diagnosis of HIV, few claimed to know anyone with AIDS and even fewer had taken an HIV test. This is because people of the Caprivi region believe that the illnesses are associated with witchcraft and not HIV or AIDS (Thomas 281).
Witchcraft:
In this article, Felicity Thomas stated that “witchcraft accusations are commonly associated with major socioeconomic changes as well as strained relations within a society” (Thomas 281). Research was done in the 1960s and the conclusion was that, people of the Caprivi Region believe them, it is because of someone who has malice in them who wants to do harm to others. Subsequently, the symptoms that correspond with the illness that’s
“caused” by witchcraft, are the same symptoms associated with HIV and AIDS (Thomas 281).
 |
| The spread of the HIV virus in Africa within two decades. The darker shades indicate that the virus is more prominent in those regions. |
Coping in Caprivi:
In Caprivi, witchcraft isn’t the fault of the individual and blame can be externalized to outside sources. Thus, this is very compelling to victims of HIV or AIDS because it means that they are not to blame for their illness. This became their active coping strategy which
“enabled the ill person to receive continued care and sympathy, and enabled open discussion of the illness without stigmatizing the household” (Thomas 282). Due to this, the accusations go towards those with suspicion of malice and/or jealousy. The biggest suspects for these accusations of witchcraft are family members, hence the title of the article, which is “Our Families Are Killing Us” (Thomas).
Family members or friends are the first suspects when it comes to accusations of witchcraft.
Coping Background:
Changes trigger coping, which is in response to psychological stress. Coping is the body’s way of trying to maintain one’s mental health and emotional well-being. There are also maladaptive coping mechanisms, which are ineffective. They are counterproductive and are usually applied to stressful events and/or internal conflicts. There are active and avoidant coping strategies. The active mechanism is aware of the stressor and wants to get rid of the negative outcomes. The avoidant ignores the issue that often results in activities of denial of the problem such as excessive drinking, sleeping, or isolating oneself (UCLA).
Specific Coping Strategies:
● Humor -- positive reframing, making light of the problem
● Seeking Support -- emotional support from family members or friends
● Problem-Solving -- locate the problem and determine the solution
● Relaxation -- engaging in relaxing activities
● Physical Recreation -- regular exercise like running, sports, yoga, and meditating
● Adjusting Expectations -- anticipating changes in life in order to prepare for when that time comes
● Denial -- altogether avoidance with distractions like excessive alcohol consumption, overworking, and sleeping more than usual
● Self- Blame -- internalization of the issue, blaming yourself, low self-esteem, and sometimes depression
● Venting -- talking with family or friends, although, ruminating on the negative can lead to strained relationships over time
References
UCLA. “How Do You Cope?” How Do You Cope? | Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, 2020, www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/How_Do_You_ Cope.
Comments
Post a Comment