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My Uncle's 'Accident' -- Pride and Shame Hide Taboo Topics in California's 'Little Kabul'
Recent events involving 29-year-old Omeed Aziz Popal, an Afghan-American male accused of running over 14 people in San Francisco, have highlighted the necessity for Afghan-Americans to begin to discuss taboo topics like mental health. In the following piece, one Afghan woman struggles to come to terms with the full truth behind her uncle's death.
UNION CITY, Calif.--"He got into an accident. That will be our story," my father said to me. "You can't tell anyone what really happened. It will shame our family. Your uncle was a coward. He didn't think of anyone but himself. But he was sick, I suppose. He had to have been to have done what he did."
When people asked me how my uncle died, I lied to them. My lies were contradictory and they left many loose ends. People in the tight-knit Afghan community in "Little Kabul," California, were suspicious. They knew something had happened other than what my family was telling them.
My uncle lived with bipolar disorder. He lived in a world where his uncontrollable mood swings dictated his life. During his manic periods, he was euphoric. He would work day and night and never feel tired. But then, as quickly as he had climbed to the top of the heavens, he would fall. He would become irritable, confused, and feel enclosed in a prison.
My uncle never spoke of his illness. None of us did. Often, in the Afghan community, issues that are taboo are swept under the rug.
My father thought if he hid the way my uncle died, people would talk less. He thought he might be able to sustain my uncle's pride even in death. He was wrong. People made up their own stories. In some of the rumors, my father's hands are tainted with my uncle's blood.
Suicide is a sin in Islam, and mental illness is taboo in Afghan culture. Often, those who have mental disorders are frowned upon. They are called "daywana," a foul word for insane. Antidepressants are considered pills that Western doctors give patients to make them crazy. Anxiety attacks are defined as occurrences where evil Jin -- spirits -- take over the body.
Because of this attitude, even to this day, I am bound by this secret. That it is why I cannot, for the sake of my family, publish this piece under my real name.
My uncle's illness went untreated primarily because his disease was ignored and misunderstood. He was ashamed, as was the rest of my family, to admit to an illness involving the mind.
I squint my eyes sometimes, mimicking the dazed sensation I had that night when my uncle called. I repeat the deep breaths I took, try to feel the cold of the room, and even make my heart race just as it had when my dad handed me the phone while I was still half-asleep. I want to relive it, so I can understand it.
Read More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0cb406dd0f24b4ff6017813c6e303eb7
When people asked me how my uncle died, I lied to them. My lies were contradictory and they left many loose ends. People in the tight-knit Afghan community in "Little Kabul," California, were suspicious. They knew something had happened other than what my family was telling them.
My uncle lived with bipolar disorder. He lived in a world where his uncontrollable mood swings dictated his life. During his manic periods, he was euphoric. He would work day and night and never feel tired. But then, as quickly as he had climbed to the top of the heavens, he would fall. He would become irritable, confused, and feel enclosed in a prison.
My uncle never spoke of his illness. None of us did. Often, in the Afghan community, issues that are taboo are swept under the rug.
My father thought if he hid the way my uncle died, people would talk less. He thought he might be able to sustain my uncle's pride even in death. He was wrong. People made up their own stories. In some of the rumors, my father's hands are tainted with my uncle's blood.
Suicide is a sin in Islam, and mental illness is taboo in Afghan culture. Often, those who have mental disorders are frowned upon. They are called "daywana," a foul word for insane. Antidepressants are considered pills that Western doctors give patients to make them crazy. Anxiety attacks are defined as occurrences where evil Jin -- spirits -- take over the body.
Because of this attitude, even to this day, I am bound by this secret. That it is why I cannot, for the sake of my family, publish this piece under my real name.
My uncle's illness went untreated primarily because his disease was ignored and misunderstood. He was ashamed, as was the rest of my family, to admit to an illness involving the mind.
I squint my eyes sometimes, mimicking the dazed sensation I had that night when my uncle called. I repeat the deep breaths I took, try to feel the cold of the room, and even make my heart race just as it had when my dad handed me the phone while I was still half-asleep. I want to relive it, so I can understand it.
Read More
http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0cb406dd0f24b4ff6017813c6e303eb7
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When I read that a Muslim man ran over pedestrians in front of the Jewish Community Center, I was expecting cries of "hate crime". They have been fortunately absent In this incident, as well as with the murder at the Seattle Jewish Community Center, it seems that menatl illness rather than hate is the real root of the issue.
Sorry for what happened to your uncle, Omeed Aziz Popal. Sorry for everyone else effected by Omeed's behavior. However, labeling people as "mentally ill" should not be seen as progress in Afgani (or any other) communities. It is important to look at the individual person's reaction to an unhealthy society (consumerism, materialism, isolation, etc..), rather than labeling the dysfunctional (unable to produce/accumulate capital for the 'bosses') person as "mentally ill"..
Ecopsychology explains that the greater a person's sensitivity (unable to build rationalization walls to stifle emotions of disgust, outrage, etc.. at societal injustice/inequalities), the more likely for that sensitive person to exhibit traditional symptoms of "mental illness". In indigenous 'pre-civ" societies this type of sensitivity was respected and honored as being special, while modern psychiatry attempts to "re-fit" the sensitive subject into the rationalizations of the consumerist workday society, once healthy off again making money for the bosses, being a good producer/consumer..
The problem with modern mental health systems is that the medical professionals rely primarily on the biochemical model and prescribe pharmaceutical products to alleviate the symptoms, though the underlying cause of the behavior/thought disorder is untreated by pharmaceutical products, instead the pharma pills often prolong and further complicate the illness with numerous side effects..
Ecopsychology recognizes that maintaining positive mental health in a dysfunctional consumerist society is very difficult. Being a functional psychotic who works as a CEO of a petrochemical corporation (Exoon-Mobil, DuPont, Dow, etc..) and who can shine and smile on the job while ignoring runaway climate change, rising fuel costs, overseas military occupations (ie, Iraq) for petroelum aquisition, smog, asthma, pollution, etc.. all issues derived from US consumer's petroleum dependency and continuing rising corporate profits isn't exactly the model for sanity either, eh??
Here are the five main ideas of ecopsychology;
"1. The emerging synthesis of ecology and psychology
2. The skillful application of ecological insight to the practice of psychotherapy
3. The study of our emotional bond with the Earth
4. The search for an environmentally-based standard of mental health
5. Re-defining "sanity" as if the whole world mattered"
essays, info on ecopsychology @;
http://ecopsychology.athabascau.ca/1097/index.htm#intro
There is a great deal more understanding that is needed when dealing with ecopsychology, though returning to the psychiatric treatment via pharmacuetical products will not have a good outcome, other than for the CEOs of pharma corporations..
This from the Alliance for Human Research Protection;
"There are no proven treatments that cure mental illness, and psychotropic drugs that are currently used to treat mental disorders - primarily 'atypical' antipsychotics and SSRI antidepressants - have not proven a benefit greater than placebo. The drugs' serious adverse side-effect profile leads critics to conclude that the risks are not justified. Antidepressants are addictive, causing many to suffer severe withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop taking them - and they increase the risk of violent and suicidal behavior leading the FDA to require black box warnings. [2]"
read more @;
http://www.ahrp.org/infomail/04/10/22.php
Let's not forget who had the great idea of a nationwide mental health screening, none other than Eli-lilly shareholder himself, GW Bush..
"In 2004, a report by the advocacy group, Public Citizen, listed 21 drug industry and HMO executives or lobbyists among Bush’s Rangers and Pioneers – titles given only to those people who have raised at least $200,000 or $100,000, respectively, for one of his presidential campaigns.
The list includes 5 executives from drug companies, 6 officials from HMOs, the CEO of a pharmacy services company, the head of a direct-mail pharmacy, and 8 lobbyists who represent drug companies and HMOs at the time.
Eli Lilly, a manufacturer of many of the “specific medications” chosen for the lists, has multiple ties to the Bush family dating back decades. Before becoming President Reagan’s Vice President, the first President Bush was a member of Lilly’s board of directors and the current President Bush appointed Lilly CEO, Sidney Taurel, to the Homeland Security Council.
In the year 2000, eighty-two percent of Lilly's $1.6 million in political contributions went to Bush and the Republican Party."
read more @;
http://www.laleva.org/eng/2006/07/bushs_mental_illness_screening_squad_on_the_move.html
Ironically, whenever there is a national tragedy from someone labeled with "mental illness" (ie., Columbine) the pharmaceutical corporations can be guaranteed an increase in customers as everyone feels compelled to diagnose their friends, family, co-workers who seem a bit under the weather emotionally as mentally ill. Self preservation and fear of another tragedy may compell people to distrust their neighbors and refer people to psychiatrists. However, this quick 're-fix' approach of pharmaceutical corporations ignores the underlying problems of people living isolated sans real emotional expression outlets in a materialist status obsessed society in favor of increasing pharma corps profits..
In the long run the petro-pharma cartel seeks to extend our status of dependency on their petroleum derived products indefinitely, revoking our democratic choices for alternative energy, lifestyle and treatment of human mental/physical/emotional well-being..
Complaint against the petro-pharma cartel for genocide & war crimes in Iraq;
http://www4.dr-rath-foundation.org/The_Hague/complaint/complaint04.htm
Ecopsychology explains that the greater a person's sensitivity (unable to build rationalization walls to stifle emotions of disgust, outrage, etc.. at societal injustice/inequalities), the more likely for that sensitive person to exhibit traditional symptoms of "mental illness". In indigenous 'pre-civ" societies this type of sensitivity was respected and honored as being special, while modern psychiatry attempts to "re-fit" the sensitive subject into the rationalizations of the consumerist workday society, once healthy off again making money for the bosses, being a good producer/consumer..
The problem with modern mental health systems is that the medical professionals rely primarily on the biochemical model and prescribe pharmaceutical products to alleviate the symptoms, though the underlying cause of the behavior/thought disorder is untreated by pharmaceutical products, instead the pharma pills often prolong and further complicate the illness with numerous side effects..
Ecopsychology recognizes that maintaining positive mental health in a dysfunctional consumerist society is very difficult. Being a functional psychotic who works as a CEO of a petrochemical corporation (Exoon-Mobil, DuPont, Dow, etc..) and who can shine and smile on the job while ignoring runaway climate change, rising fuel costs, overseas military occupations (ie, Iraq) for petroelum aquisition, smog, asthma, pollution, etc.. all issues derived from US consumer's petroleum dependency and continuing rising corporate profits isn't exactly the model for sanity either, eh??
Here are the five main ideas of ecopsychology;
"1. The emerging synthesis of ecology and psychology
2. The skillful application of ecological insight to the practice of psychotherapy
3. The study of our emotional bond with the Earth
4. The search for an environmentally-based standard of mental health
5. Re-defining "sanity" as if the whole world mattered"
essays, info on ecopsychology @;
http://ecopsychology.athabascau.ca/1097/index.htm#intro
There is a great deal more understanding that is needed when dealing with ecopsychology, though returning to the psychiatric treatment via pharmacuetical products will not have a good outcome, other than for the CEOs of pharma corporations..
This from the Alliance for Human Research Protection;
"There are no proven treatments that cure mental illness, and psychotropic drugs that are currently used to treat mental disorders - primarily 'atypical' antipsychotics and SSRI antidepressants - have not proven a benefit greater than placebo. The drugs' serious adverse side-effect profile leads critics to conclude that the risks are not justified. Antidepressants are addictive, causing many to suffer severe withdrawal symptoms if they try to stop taking them - and they increase the risk of violent and suicidal behavior leading the FDA to require black box warnings. [2]"
read more @;
http://www.ahrp.org/infomail/04/10/22.php
Let's not forget who had the great idea of a nationwide mental health screening, none other than Eli-lilly shareholder himself, GW Bush..
"In 2004, a report by the advocacy group, Public Citizen, listed 21 drug industry and HMO executives or lobbyists among Bush’s Rangers and Pioneers – titles given only to those people who have raised at least $200,000 or $100,000, respectively, for one of his presidential campaigns.
The list includes 5 executives from drug companies, 6 officials from HMOs, the CEO of a pharmacy services company, the head of a direct-mail pharmacy, and 8 lobbyists who represent drug companies and HMOs at the time.
Eli Lilly, a manufacturer of many of the “specific medications” chosen for the lists, has multiple ties to the Bush family dating back decades. Before becoming President Reagan’s Vice President, the first President Bush was a member of Lilly’s board of directors and the current President Bush appointed Lilly CEO, Sidney Taurel, to the Homeland Security Council.
In the year 2000, eighty-two percent of Lilly's $1.6 million in political contributions went to Bush and the Republican Party."
read more @;
http://www.laleva.org/eng/2006/07/bushs_mental_illness_screening_squad_on_the_move.html
Ironically, whenever there is a national tragedy from someone labeled with "mental illness" (ie., Columbine) the pharmaceutical corporations can be guaranteed an increase in customers as everyone feels compelled to diagnose their friends, family, co-workers who seem a bit under the weather emotionally as mentally ill. Self preservation and fear of another tragedy may compell people to distrust their neighbors and refer people to psychiatrists. However, this quick 're-fix' approach of pharmaceutical corporations ignores the underlying problems of people living isolated sans real emotional expression outlets in a materialist status obsessed society in favor of increasing pharma corps profits..
In the long run the petro-pharma cartel seeks to extend our status of dependency on their petroleum derived products indefinitely, revoking our democratic choices for alternative energy, lifestyle and treatment of human mental/physical/emotional well-being..
Complaint against the petro-pharma cartel for genocide & war crimes in Iraq;
http://www4.dr-rath-foundation.org/The_Hague/complaint/complaint04.htm
I am glad that you have shed so much light about your uncle.
Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of especially here in the United States of America.
This episode is perhaps the time for us all to come together and address mental illness. Especially those countries that frown upon mental illness.
The Press was quick to condemn a man that had lost it - but, as the day go by I hope they are cautious and understand the situation at hand.
I visited Afghanistan when I was a young men much before the Russians invaded that great country. I hope that much healing happens both with Afghanis back home as well as here in the United States.
The invasion of Afghanistan has affected many in some way or another - brought about stress and other illness - because that is what war and ravaging of countries brings about.
The Popal family should stand strong and if there is anything I can do here in San Francico please get in touch with me.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of especially here in the United States of America.
This episode is perhaps the time for us all to come together and address mental illness. Especially those countries that frown upon mental illness.
The Press was quick to condemn a man that had lost it - but, as the day go by I hope they are cautious and understand the situation at hand.
I visited Afghanistan when I was a young men much before the Russians invaded that great country. I hope that much healing happens both with Afghanis back home as well as here in the United States.
The invasion of Afghanistan has affected many in some way or another - brought about stress and other illness - because that is what war and ravaging of countries brings about.
The Popal family should stand strong and if there is anything I can do here in San Francico please get in touch with me.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
I don't think the writer was saying that her uncle was Omeed Popal. I think she was talking about another situation in her own afghani family that was probably quite similar to the situation with the Popals. Some of the news articles say that this man was basically kept under tight control by his parents until now at age 29, and he had showed mental symptoms before but they never sought outside help for him. It looks like the family were educated teachers etc. who fled during the Soviet invasion.
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