In conclusion, Hispanic women are likely to be diagnosed with more severe diseases than they actually have because the doctor lacks a common cultural background. Diagnosing someone as manic, aggressive, hysterical or histrionic because of differences in body language can occur because of tendencies to exaggerate. Removing children from custody can occur when a mother is simply angry with them, but not abusive. Psychiatric misdiagnoses can likewise lead to tragic consequence of the involuntarily commitment of a patient to a psychiatric hospital. Advice to Doctors Doctors should make an effort to become acquainted with the cultural beliefs of their Hispanic patients, especially women who are more prone to seek help and are more vocal and expressive in their language than men.
Hispanic men tend to be laconic, and only more recently have begun to seek help from doctors.
It should not be expected from a woman in distress or pain to be in complete control of her speech. The patient is in need of help, and it is important that doctors makes an effort to properly interpret her speech. Most misdiagnoses and misunderstandings could be avoided if doctors would ask more questions. Often it is enough to ask for more concrete details in order to separate what is metaphorical from what is literal. Doctors should ask for more evidence.