Journey to the Centre of the Self
Exploring the Lived Experiences of South Asian Psychiatrists in the UK

This book explores the lived experiences of South Asian psychiatrists in the UK through personal and reflective accounts.

Rina Arya (Author), Dinesh Bhugra (Author)

9781316514597, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 October 2024

218 pages
23.3 x 15.5 x 1.2 cm, 0.34 kg

'An interesting and informative book that explains the complex adjustment issues of international medical graduates in the UK. The personal experiences illustrate the motivation and dedication of the foreign doctors to pursue professional expertise in the NHS and provide examples of their hard work and insight into the significance of cultural identity, migration and marginalisation in their lives and work.' Afzal Javed, Consultant Psychiatrist, Past President World Psychiatric Association (2020-23); Honorary Professor, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, UK; Chairman, Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore, Pakistan

This book presents previously untold narratives of South Asian psychiatrists in the UK and provides insight into the significance of cultural identity, migration and marginalisation on their lives and work. The development of cultural psychiatry arose to meet the needs of multiethnic populations. A hitherto overlooked area in the field is the impact of white privilege on psychiatrists from ethnic minority backgrounds. Through the lived experience of South Asian psychiatrists, this pioneering book delves into the effects of structural inequality, the culturally specific needs of South Asian populations, and the impact of migration across generations. Personal accounts impart the importance of recognising the cultural hybridity of ethnic identities and how to work within cultural frameworks. Set in the UK context, findings can be applied more widely to other diaspora settings and are critical in understanding contemporary insights into cultural psychiatry and diverse cultural environments.

Acknowledgements
Part I. Contextual Information: Introduction
1. Culture and psychiatry
2. An overview of South Asian migration to the UK
3. An overview of the interviews
4. Capturing the lived experience
5. The primacy of the lived experience as the route to change
Part II. The interviews: Dr Cheema
Dr P. Jauhar
Dr Yousaf
Dr A
Dr Chada
Dr Sivakumar
Dr Baruah
Dr Sami
Dr Davé
Dr S. Jauhar
Dr Mohiuddin
Dr Kaushal
Dr Giri Shankar
Part III. Analysis: 6. Negotiating cultural differences
7. The therapeutic relationship
8. Ways forward
Conclusions and recommendations
References.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ]