Magico-religious beliefs in schizophrenia: a study from north India.
Psychiatric disorders in India are often attributed to influence of supernatural phenomena, and many patients are subjected to various kinds of 'magico-religious' treatments. We studied 40 cases of schizophrenia and ascertained magico-religious beliefs held by their key relatives. The effects of such magico-religious beliefs on psychopathology and treatment-seeking behaviour were explored. The sample were schizophrenia patients diagnosed according to ICD-10 of the World Health Organisation. Psychopathology was assessed on the 9th version of the Present State Examination (PSE-9). Supernatural Attitude Questionnaire was administered to the key relatives of the patients to ascertain their beliefs about various supernatural phenomena and magico-religious treatments. It was observed that the majority of the patients had undergone magico-religious treatment (n = 23). Nearly 74% of the patients who had symptoms coloured by cultural influences such as delusional explanation in terms of paranormal phenomena had undergone magico-religious treatment. It was also seen that though many relatives denied personal conviction in such magico-religious beliefs, yet they sought some kind of magico-religious treatment for the patients. The prevalence of culturally influenced delusions as defined by the PSE-9 was very low. Belief in supernatural influences is common in patients' relatives from urban background and with adequate education, and treatment based upon such beliefs is sought to a considerable extent in such cases. Local and community belief in such phenomena appeared to be a factor in influencing the decision to seek magico-religious treatment.
Kulhara
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Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. medinst@pgi.chd.nic.in
Avasthi
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Sharma
A
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D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008273:Magic; D008297:Male; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires