"Nerves" and tranquilizer use in rural Brazil

Area of Science:

• Medical Anthropology
• Sociology of Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Nervos (nervos) or nerve problems (problema de nervos) are frequently reported illnesses in Espirito Santo, Brazil.
• These conditions encompass a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including insomnia, pain, dizziness, and mood disturbances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the characteristics and reported causes of nervos in rural Brazilian communities.
• To examine the patterns of psychotropic drug use associated with nervos.
• To explore the implications of psychotropic drug use for the medicalization of nervos.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from a morbidity survey conducted in 25 small villages in Espirito Santo, Brazil.
• Analyzed reported cases of nervos, including symptom presentation and stated causes.
• Examined the frequency and nature of psychotropic drug use among individuals reporting nervos.

Main Results:

• Nervos accounted for 30% of all reported illnesses, with symptoms like insomnia, body pains, and emotional distress.
• "Overwork," encompassing physical strain and economic stress, was cited as the primary cause in one-third of cases.
• 88% of individuals with nervos regularly used psychotropic drugs, with 68% using them daily and 47% reporting dependence.

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of psychotropic drug use in managing nervos indicates a significant medicalization of these conditions.
• This medicalization may foster a "sick role" for patients and individualize problems rooted in broader socioeconomic factors.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term consequences of psychotropic drug reliance for nervos management.