Question

How does Watters explain the process by which the concept of depression gained a foothold in Japan? Is this "globalization of the American psyche" destructive of other cultures? Why would American concepts of mental illness and treatment be especially likely to spread to other countries?

(The Globalization Reader 5th edition)

Answer 1

Before late 1990 depression was not seen in Japan. According to a study people of japan did not suffer depression, people found ways to accommodate these feelings while some how carrying on with life, and they gave low moods aesthetic expression in enjoying beauty of life.In japan's medical tradition, depression considered as primarily physical rather than a combination of physical and psychological. Classic symptoms of suffering were easily avoided by saying to take rest. Because of this mind set this country became poor prospect market for anti depressants. But after the 20th century scenario changed due to the campaign of a drug firm.Depression spread out as cold of the soul, people understood any one can be a victim of this and medication can treat it. With time when many people diagnosed in this disease the market for anti depressants boomed. Depression was no longer a shame rather a fashionable disease. then it is observed depression cause could be circumstance of a person or over work pressure, suicide due to depression, become a social issue rather than a privet problem. Japan's depression experience shows how closely tied some forms of physical and psychological illness are to broader cultural attitudes.  

The globalization of the American psyche engaged in Americanizing the worlds understanding of human minds. This includes various fascinating case studies from different countries. Watters argued that the model of mental illness the DSM advances has started to permeate and change how other culture think about suffering, to the point of redrawing their social and psychological landscapes. Huge marketing of depression in Japan, As per Watters well meaning but mistaken western psychiastrists have helped to export their conceptions of mental illness around the world. The solution is medicalization and banalization than a helpful collation of knowledge and understanding. This thought of America is spreading because other countries understood that some thing is faulty or even wrong happening to people these days due to changing lifestyle.