This paper reports the findings of a quality research in two health centers in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul in 2003 and 2004. The goal of this research was to determine the real meaning of the illness popularly known as illness of the nerves among the lower social groups. We used the focal group technique and organized the data in categories. We found different meanings for this illness, as estrangement, infantilization and loss of identity of the person complaining of psychic suffering.
Illness of the nerves; Psychic suffering; Low social groups