Seeking Help from Faith Healers among Iraqi Patients with Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder

Authors

  • Nesif J. Al-Hemiary Dept. of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad.
  • Salih M. Al-Hasnawi Dept. of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Kerbala.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbagdad.5141089

Keywords:

faith healing, Iraq, Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Abstract

Background: Faith healing is common in Arab culture. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is linked to religious beliefs and this can affect its management as patients may seek help from faith healers rather than mental health professionals.
Patients and methods: Patients who received a diagnosis of OCD according to DSM-IV-TR completed a questionnaire containing questions about age, gender, marital state, residence, income, level of education, and occupation. Also, data was collected on help-seeking from a faith healer and on religiosity. The data was analyzed by using the statistical package of the social sciences (SPSS).
Results: 58.5% of OCD patients had sought help from faith healers and this was significantly associated with being religious (p value .003). There was no association with other variables.
Conclusion: Iraqi mental health professionals should be aware of patient’s experience of faith healing as this is common among OCD patients. The findings also raise interesting questions regarding the need for a dialogue between health professionals and faith healers in the interest of providing optimal care to OCD patients.

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Published

03.01.2010

How to Cite

1.
Al-Hemiary NJ, Al-Hasnawi SM. Seeking Help from Faith Healers among Iraqi Patients with Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder. J Fac Med Baghdad [Internet]. 2010 Jan. 3 [cited 2024 Nov. 8];51(4):385-7. Available from: https://iqjmc.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/19JFacMedBaghdad36/article/view/1089

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