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Locura- A term used by Latinos in the United States and Latin America to refer to a severe form of chronic psychosis. The condition is attributed to an inherited vulnerability, to the effect of multiple life difficulties, or to a combination of both factors. Symptoms exhibited by persons with locura include incoherence, agitation, auditory and visual hallucinations, inability to follow rules of social interaction, unpredictability, and possible violence.

The idea of mental illness is an infulential one. In many Latino communities, mental illness is associated with people suffering from being "loco" or having "locura" basically translating to crazy. Being loco has strong negative implications. It implies that the person is often dangerous to the community and experiencing an incurable disease, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness, so no help is sought (Barrera).

A thorough diagnostic assessment such as The Cultural Formulation aids in cultural identity of patient experiencing Locura ;culture-bound syndrome. Health practices of the Latino culture commonly includes a collaboration of a shamanic practitioner(Spanish curandera), along side the native religious elements to treat psychosis. 8 .Trujillo,MD, Manuel. "Multicultural Aspects of Mental Health." Primary Psychiatry 15.4 (2008): 65+. Print.

Because this condition is attributed to an inhereted vulnerability, to the affect of multiple life diffictulties, or to a combination of both factors (Sadock), locura is not considered a part of normal life. It is sometimes thought to be the result of supernatural maneuvers (mal puesto) of another person, but may also occur naturally and without reason to the individual due to the effects of life difficulties. La locura is said to be stronger and more severe than a case of nervios (Sajatovic). Within the culture, immigrants with locura are believed to have some sort of nervous system weakness. Mental health disorders such as schizophrenia are commonly defined as locura in many Latin American countries and by Latino immigrants in the United States. While others do not blame the individual for their physical illness, there is a stigma associated with locura as there is with most mental health issues. It is understood that the individual does not have the will to control his/her actions one-way or the other but indicates a physical problem. Latinos diagnosed with locura, or a severe mental disorder like schizophrenia, most often live with their families. Thus, families should be considered in the treatment and diagnosis of the illness.

REFERENCES

2. Barrera, Iran. (2008). An ecological systems theory approach in looking at mental health care. Accessed March 04, 2012 from: http://books.google.com/books?id=cJGfQ-lXj1cC&pg=PA14&lpg=PA14&dq=Locura+Mental+Illness+in+the+Latino+community&source=bl&ots=BZwIXG2YCP&sig=5pistcFSz3249Sxf5k5XNo_HZ9I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=3PJUT-H1MOiDsAL5wJjwBQ&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Locura%20Mental%20Illness%20in%20the%20Latino%20community&f=false

3. Cabrera, N.J., Francisco, V.A., & Fitzgerald, H.E. (2011). Latina and Latino Children's Mental Health. Acessed March 13, 2012 from: http://books.google.com/books?id=w17wfEuB8TQC&pg=RA1-PA52&lpg=RA1-PA52&dq=Locura+mental+illness+in+Latina+communities&source=bl&ots=kA2xEA7gSY&sig=CGRj5rStpaxNqd3G0WzLtkLh76o&hl=en&sa=X&ei=X41iT6XaIaKU2AX249WABA&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Locura%20mental%20illness%20in%20Latina%20communities&f=false

4. Coon, D. & Mitterer, J. (2007). Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and Behavior 11th Edition. Accessed March 04, 2012 from Thompson Learning Inc. : http://books.google.com/books?id=V6EHmNCmEWQC&pg=PA538&lpg=PA538&dq=Locura+in+Latinos+in+the+US&source=bl&ots=QmdzEutNCS&sig=AWh2eXwIxxKMTOxejkydyE4_LsU&hl=en&ei=n3SGTZXnIoqPtwex5bG-BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDEQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

5. Index of Culture Bound Syndromes By Culture. (no date). Accessed March 04, 2012 from: http://homepage.mac.com/mccajor/cbs_cul.html

6. Sadock, Benjamin & Virginia. (2008). Concise Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry 3rd Edition. Accessed March 04, 2012 from: http://books.google.com/books?id=ubG51n2NgfwC&pg=PA196&lpg=PA196&dq=What+is+locura+disorder&source=bl&ots=tm_A5oGiwY&sig=OMNH3UsRfnp4UDjsQhrpS4ABDGU&hl=en&ei=yXmGTb7ZMYLLgQfK4oi-CA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=What%20is%20locura%20disorder&f=false

7. Sajatovic, M. & Loue, S. (2012). Encyclopedia of Immigrant Health. Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London. Accessed March 13, 2012 from: http://books.google.com/books?id=zQUd4W_mK1UC&pg=PA1025&lpg=PA1025&dq=Locura+mental+illness+in+Latina+communities&source=bl&ots=RIw8MWBKEz&sig=lWP90kCqq3vTCI4nzaLUQ49sRPQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=X41iT6XaIaKU2AX249WABA&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Locura%20mental%20illness%20in%20Latina%20communities&f=false

8.Trujillo,MD, Manuel. "Multicultural Aspects of Mental Health." Primary Psychiatry 15.4 (2008): 65+. Print. 9. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:4x0FCqbBFeMJ:www.wpic.pitt.edu/education/residency_training/oxford_handbook/response_to_ext_reviews/z_chapter20_transcultural_response_to_reviews.doc+%22locura%22and+%22disorder%22site:.edu&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg4HruhL7PJLF28q3tB6nHaTEXAZjUWv9yB4H7Iqlh5XSfTG_mYz-ijS6j72EwM_cXshcFJgcEwldk0B3sR3-K602Fc5VvC8byrUWe2eoH9sRnQ4JRW-K2-YmDUwG-hly0-wVYb&sig=AHIEtbRl547pe5-pIsnr2_0II8I1txTOfQ

9. Culture specific mental disorders http://www.psychforums.com/anti-psych/topic7386.html