When it comes to schizoaffective disorder, the symptoms exhibited by Indonesians and Americans have some degrees of similarity, commonly including delusions or hallucinations and alternating episodes of mania (periods of increased energy and feelings of power) and depression (periods of decreased activity and feelings of helplessness or hopelessness), although there is much less research available from Indonesia. In affluent urban areas the treatment of such disorders may be quite similar to that in the United States, including hospitalization, various therapies, and medication. In rural or less affluent areas, treatments may include traditional healing and prayer or other religious interventions. It has been suggested by some transcultural psychiatrists that the long-term outcomes for people with schizoaffective disorder in the developing world may be better than those in the United States, with less severe symptoms, less episodes of relapse, and better social integration during remission or recovery.
When making this film, we wanted to capture the globalized world of urban Indonesia that Bambang was living in. We supported this atmosphere by working with a composer to create a soundtrack based on dangdut, which is an Indonesian pop music genre that combines traditional Indonesian modalities with music from the middle east and pop music from the West. We also created original animated visuals that used imagery inspired by Indonesian shadow puppetry to depict the world figures and events that Bambang was reacting to.
Bambang and his family have seen the film. As with all of our subjects, they watched and approved all the footage during the editing process. He and his wife have also participated in Q & A sessions at film screenings and other mental health awareness and advocacy events. While Bambang initially felt some embarrassment at seeing footage of himself during episodes of his most severe illness, he is willing to share the film publicly as a tool for building understanding and awareness about people with mental health issues in Indonesia.
In some ways it could be said that people with mental illness in Indonesia are well accommodated. Mental health problems are often attributed to stress, spirit possession, or larger family problems and responded to with care and lessened responsibility. People often receive care within a supportive extended family network. Once recovered, Indonesians are often welcomed back to their jobs.
However, mental illness is still stigmatized in Indonesian society. There is little general understanding about the causes and treatments of different mental illnesses, and some people may experience marginalization, ridicule, or harsh treatment for behavior that is out of their control, such as when Bambang was beaten by a group of villagers during one of his episodes.
However, mental illness is still stigmatized in Indonesian society. There is little general understanding about the causes and treatments of different mental illnesses, and some people may experience marginalization, ridicule, or harsh treatment for behavior that is out of their control, such as when Bambang was beaten by a group of villagers during one of his episodes.
Since the film was completed in 2011, Bambang has had a number of relapses. During these relapses he has sought care at religious institutions, but has not been hospitalized again. When he is well, he continues to teach English, and enjoys support from his family and his community. His wife is now independently employed and his son is enjoying school. They both say they are very proud of Bambang.
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