Calling Our Spirits Back: Indigenous ways of diagnosing and treating soul sickness

Patrisia Gonzales

Abstract

This article explores Indigenous understandings of soul sickness, focusing on the concept of susto—a condition characterized by soul loss or intrusion prevalent among Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica and the Americas. It examines how susto is diagnosed and treated within traditional healing systems, linking pre-Columbian Indigenous knowledge with contemporary trauma frameworks. The study highlights the resilience of Indigenous medicinal practices despite the lasting impacts of colonization and historical trauma. It also discusses the cultural significance of susto and its intergenerational effects on wellbeing. Through Indigenous narratives, the article emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional healing knowledge and addresses how colonization has disrupted but not erased these cultural practices. The research underscores the critical role of Indigenous healing in restoring balance and health within Indigenous communities.