All the systems of healing are referred to as ethnomedicine. Traditional or indigenous medical systems exist around the world. They are part of the culture of the society involved. The way of treating illnesses differ in different societies. However, a common feature they share is the emphasis on magic and religion. In the Islam society, mental illness is associated with supernatural causes and inflicts sinners. Spirit possession and witchcraft are involved in understanding and treating mental illness. The knowledge and attitudes towards mental illness is also different depending on gender and socioeconomic status of the subject involved
Campbell, R., & Islam, F. (2012). "Satan has Inflicted Me!" Jinn-Possession and Mental Illness in the Qur'an. New York City: Springer.
Campbell and Islam (2012) suggest that some Muslims see mental illness as possession by jinn inflicted upon a sinner, God’s punishment or personal weakness. Islamic communities in East Africa, Persia and Middle East perform exorcism dance rituals called “Zar”, to keep off evil spirits, and protect against jinn possession. Such practices are against the teachings of the Quran. There are two kinds of jinn, the righteous that offer guidance when called upon, and the evil jinn that deceive and cause suffering to humans. Islamic medicine, greatly influenced by Greek physician Galen, exists and treats mental illness as a psychological problem. It uses therapies such as baths, massage, cupping, music and drug therapies. It is worth noting that Islamic medicine comes as an alternative after the intervention of indigenous medicine fails to work, and mental health of the victim runs out of hand. The Quran links mental illness and jinn possession to the pagan world. The two authors claim that despite evidence that jinn possession and madness lack connection in the Quran, many Muslims still hold the belief. This causes Muslims with mental illness to suffer double stigma. One is as a result of growing up with the belief and community stigma because they also live with the idea. In the end, the failure to seek much needed treatment aggravates the condition resulting to actions such as suicide.
Laher, S., & Ally, Y. (2008). South African Muslim Faith Healers Perceptions of Mental Illness: Understanding, Aetiology. Journal of Religion and Health, 45-56.
Laher and Ally (2008) reveal that some Islamic societies attribute mental illness to witchcraft. Some of the symptoms associated with a bewitched person include lethargy, voice hearing, epileptic fits, and dreadful dreams. Witchdoctors play the role of faith healers, and cure illnesses or defeat the spell of an evil witch. Exorcists in the Islam faith recite verses from the Quran and sprinkle water on the head of his patient. They do not reveal to their patient the reason behind their ailment. Faith healers believe that Muslims exist as a combination of 4 parts, i.e. mind, body, self and soul. A disease occurs if the balance is interrupted. They attribute mental illness to inability to handle daily stress or as a result of trauma. Spiritual illness is caused by black magic and ill will. The healers say that a doctor may help alleviate psychological symptoms associated with mental illness but spiritual illness requires spiritual treatment.
Ghuloum, S., & Bener, A. (2010). Gender differences in the knowledge, attitude and practice towards mental illness in a rapidly dvelopine Arab society. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 480-486.
Ghuloum and Bener (2010) conducted a study to determine how men and women in the Qatar population relate to mental illness. They found that women were more susceptible mental illness than men, especially anxiety and depression. Marital roles and gender expectations, plus the few social and financial resources available cause stress facilitate mental illness in women. The way women react to these stressors also increase their susceptibility to mental illness. The results of the study showed that 43% of women and 34.5% of men believed that mental illness is caused by evil spirits. 63.5% of women and 54.7% of men believed that psychiatric treatment caused addiction. 42.3% of women and 37.1% of men believed that traditional healers can treat mental illness. 58% of women and 51% of men believed that the mentally ill patients are dangerous.
References
Campbell, R., & Islam, F. (2012). "Satan has Inflicted Me!" Jinn-Possession and Mental Illness in the Qur'an. New York City: Springer.
Ghuloum, S., & Bener, A. (2010). Gender differences in the knowledge, attitude and practice towards mental illness in a rapidly dvelopine Arab society. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 480-486.
Laher, S., & Ally, Y. (2008). South African Muslim Faith Healers Perceptions of Mental Illness: Understanding, Aetiology. Journal of Religion and Health, 45-56.
M., S., & H., B. (2007). Introducing Medical Anthropology. New York: AltaMira Press.
Sheik, A., & Khan, S. (2007, July). Magic, jinn and the evil eye. Retrieved from wellcome collections: www.wellcomecollection.org/explore/time--place/topics/islam-and-medicine/audio.aspx?view=magic-jins-and-the-evil-eye#
