Cape Town - Fear of stigma and a strong belief they have been bewitched are some factors that prevent mental health patients from seeking medical or psychiatric care, say doctors in a new study.
The research, which appears in the current issue of the SA Medical Journal, tested the perception of mental illness among Muslim doctors in Lenasia, Gauteng.
It showed that mental health patients kept their illness a secret from their families and communities and were even reluctant to disclose it to their doctors. Often patients tried to disguise mental illness as a medical illness such as diabetes and hypertension.
The research also discovered that doctors believed that some patients could be suffering from “spiritual illnesses” that were beyond medical classification, and therefore supernatural, including witchcraft, “evil eye” and spirit possessions.
While most understood mental illness as any condition that affected one’s daily functioning and mental well-being, only 30 percent based the illness on their medical training.
Generally their understanding was that, in addition to organic causes, stress and lifestyle had a major influence on the development of mental conditions, particularly depression, anxiety and stress disorders.
However the majority acknowledged that “spiritual illnesses” existed, and patients often discussed their experience of such illnesses with them.
The doctors believed traditional healing “formed part of SA culture”.
Black people often attributed mental health problems to cultural causes including witchcraft and/or the ancestors, rather than genetic or biological causes. On the other hand, Indian or Muslim populations believed that the “evil eye” and spirit possession were the causes.
The study found that most doctors encouraged their patients to seek alternative forms of health care that were more accessible than Western medicine, as these were often cheaper.
The doctors also observed that religion played a significant role in addressing mental illness with Muslims.
Lead researcher Professor Sumaya Laher said: “There is a need for further research to provide a richer understanding of the role of culture and religion in the understanding and treatment of mental disorders.”
Cape Argus