Saudis often blame mental illnesses on supernatural forces

By MUHAMMAD HUMAIDAN | ARAB NEWS

JEDDAH: A large number of Saudis attribute mental illness to the effects of jinns or the evil eye, said Dr. Suleiman Al-Zaydi, a psychiatrist and director of public relations and information at Al-Amal Hospital in Jeddah.

“About 80 to 90 percent of our society does not believe in the existence of mental illnesses. They do not accept the fact that sick people are psychologically ill and attribute the conditions to jinns, the evil eye or black magic,” said Al-Zaydi.

He added that the families of those who are mentally ill try to treat them using spiritual means, such as reciting the Qur’an, before taking them to mental hospitals.

“This, however, impairs the diagnosis process and proper treatment,” he added.

He admitted that mental diseases are difficult to diagnose and treat compared to physical illnesses due to an absence of apparatus that can accurately identify the problems.

“There are X-rays, ECGs, endoscopies, ultra sound scans, MRIs and other techniques that make it easy for medical doctors to identify physical illnesses and determine the best way to treat them. However, there are no such apparatus to identify mental illnesses,” he said.

Al-Zaydi also said the word “insane” should not be used to describe those who suffer from mental disorders.

“The word insane is never used in medical lexicons. It has no scientific or medical roots,” he added.

Comments

KUMAR

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.Physical illness is investigate mostly by MRI . There is no affective medicine is available to treat. Just for trial different type of mineral based medicine and some time blood circulation medicines are prescribed by doctor. By the good and healthy home environment and require exercise and micro nutrients (vegetables & fruits)are helpful to improve the brain tissue strength

ELIZABETH ROGERS

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Not at all surprising. as almost all Muslims know how to recite the two short suras of al-falaq and al nas. They go straight to the hearts of the superstitous, so it looks like a losing battle.

AGUS

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What a disturbing fact, and it will damage the image of Saudis to the western world; which treat mental illness succesfully.

UBAID

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It's not a case with Saudi nationals only.It's a case with Muslim nationals throughout the World.

MALIK

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Miss Rogers. The article heading says that "Saudis Often Blame Mental illness on Supernatural Forces". its about a culture that believes in spirituality, where often supernatural evil acts are performed to make other person sick psychologically by the followers of "Lucifer", according to your "King James Version of Bible". And according to Quran the followers of "Iblees", referred as satan in any religion, weather Jews, Christians or Muslims. Muslims recite Surah Falaq and surah Nas, and It does goes straight into the heart.
Christians also perform recitation from Bible to cure Exorcism. They recite "John 3:16", which they say "goes straight" into the heart, and person is cured.
Did they ever lost a battle?
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