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POSSIBLE PRESENTING PROBLEMS

Lots of people may somaticize their mental health issues, in which the psychological symptoms are expressed through physical symptoms with an individual instead of verbal expression of thoughts and feelings.

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Somatic Symptoms

Sometimes, when potential clients feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, their emotions can show up as physical symptoms instead of being talked about. For example, someone who feels really anxious might not say, “I’m worried,” but instead complain about headaches or stomachaches. These physical symptoms are real and can feel just as bad as any other illness, but they might not have a clear medical cause.

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Impact of Religion/Spirituality 

A client may come to you after resistant and uncertainty due to  beliefs

Religion and spirituality also play a significant part in how Ghanaians understand mental health issues. Often, people assume that the cause of mental health challenges is spiritual or karma and resort to seeking help from religious persons or traditional healers rather than mental health professionals.

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Stigma & Shame

There is also shame and stigma surrounding talking about mental health because feelings are still odd for people in Ghana. Many individuals fear being labeled as "crazy" or weak if they admit to experiencing mental health issues, which can prevent them from seeking help. For clinicians to understand their clients of Ghanaian background, they should be aware of these cultural dynamics and take them into account in their practice.

ADDITIONAL CLIENT PRESENTATIONS

Clinicians should be aware of the common struggles Ghanaian clients or their families might face. These can include but not limited to, unfair treatment based on gender, sexuality, pressure to do well in school or choose a certain career, expectations around marriage, issues with family dynamics, and the challenges of adapting to life in the U.S. while holding onto their Ghanaian traditions. These issues can lead to anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, identity crisis, and difficulty adjusting to new situations.

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