Black Americans are experiencing psychosis at twice the rate of their white counterparts, unveiling a stark racial divide in mental health outcomes. This alarming disparity, mirrored in European countries, points to a complex interplay of genetic predisposition and societal factors, particularly the pervasive impact of racism.
Researchers like Deidre Anglin, a professor at the City University of New York, have found that experiences of racial discrimination correlate tightly with self-reported psychotic symptoms. The frequency of discrimination aligns closely with the number of symptoms, suggesting a causal relationship.
Earl Miller, a Black man who has grappled with psychosis since his teens, exemplifies the struggle. He describes a constant fear of being perceived as “crazy” or dangerous due to his race, which exacerbates his condition. “It’s like living at gunpoint,” Miller says, highlighting the perpetual stress of navigating both psychiatric and racial norms.
The impact extends beyond individual experiences. Studies show that even second-generation immigrants develop psychosis at rates as high or higher than their parents, indicating that something in the new country environment is triggering these conditions.
While genetic factors play a role, researchers emphasize the significance of societal influences. Roberto Lewis-Fernández from Columbia University notes that American psychiatry’s focus on individualism has long overlooked these contextual factors.
As the mental health community grapples with these findings, there’s a growing call for a more nuanced approach to diagnosis and treatment. The stark racial disparities in psychosis rates underscore the urgent need for addressing not just individual mental health, but also the broader societal issues that contribute to these outcomes.
See “America’s Hidden Racial Divide: A Mysterious Gap in Psychosis Rates” (December 4, 2024)
