Brief CommunicationFish soup for the falling sickness: Tracing epilepsy through Hmong and Western beliefs
Section snippets
Introduction to the Hmong people and belief
The Hmong (pronounced [mong], meaning “free”) are a nomadic mountain-dwelling people that originated in the Yangtze and the Yellow River valley in China but ultimately became geographically international as a consequence of their tumultuous geopolitical history which came to be known as the Hmong diaspora
Epilepsy in Hmong versus Western belief
While etiology of and treatment for symptoms in conventional medicine and traditional Hmong medicinal practices usually differ, both typically operate under the shared assumption that the symptoms are undesirable. Epilepsy is an exception to this general paradigm. Epilepsy is known as “quag dab peg, which means ‘the spirit catches you and you fall down’” [5]. It is believed to be the marking of the txiv neeb (pronounced [see neng]), or shaman, who are revered as healers and soul finders chosen
Stigma affecting persons with epilepsy
Though understanding of epilepsy today is far beyond what prevailed in antiquity, reformation of the associated stigma has lagged behind. Negative attitudes toward PWE have certainly improved with scientific and treatment advancements, especially with fervent efforts by advocacy chapters of organizations such as the International League Against Epilepsy and International Bureau for Epilepsy, but evidence suggests prejudice against PWE remains [7]. A systematic literature review of works
Concluding remarks
In The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, a description of a fish soup recipe is used as a metaphor to convey a central theme in Hmong tradition: interconnectedness. It highlights that every being is a manifestation of a complex intersection of seemingly minute occurrences. The essence of this metaphor is a lesson from Hmong tradition that extends to modern clinical care: healthcare practitioners ought to appreciate patients as well as the state of the present itself as such amalgams.
There
Acknowledgments
None.
Statement of ethics
Not applicable.
Disclosure statement
Nadia Khalil has nothing to disclose. Stephanie McMillan has nothing to disclose. Selim Benbadis (last three years): Consultant for Brain Sentinel, Cavion, Ceribell, Eisai, Greenwich, LivaNova, Neuropace, SK biopharmaceuticals, Sunovion. Speakers’ Bureau for Eisai, Greenwich, LivaNova, and Sunovion. National Medical Director for RSC Diagnostic Services (EEG). Florida Medical Director of Stratus/Alliance (EEG). Member: Epilepsy Study Consortium. Grant support from Biogen, Brain Sentinel, Cavion,
Funding sources
This study was not funded.
Author contributions
Nadia Khalil: major role in contributing to content in paper and revising the manuscript for intellectual content. Stephanie McMillan: major role in contributing to content in paper and revising the manuscript for intellectual content. Selim Benbadis: major role in contributing to content in paper and revising the manuscript for intellectual content. Derrick Robertson: major role in contributing to content in paper and revising the manuscript for intellectual content.
References (9)
Epilepsy stigma: moving from a global problem to global solutions
Seizure
(2010)- et al.
Epilepsy misconceptions and stigma reduction: current status in Western countries
Epilepsy Behav
(2016) - Smith L. Critical thinking, health policy, and the Hmong culture group, Part I. J Cult Divers. 1997...
Hmong American concepts of health, healing, and conventional medicine
(2003)
Cited by (1)
Validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the disease-related fear scale in patients with epilepsy
2023, Epilepsy and Behavior