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

J. Al-Hemiary, Nesif; Psych,; FICMS,

	Seeking Help from Faith Healers among Iraqi Patients with Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder
Journal of the Faculty of Medicine
Article 1, Volume 51, Issue 4, 2009, Pages 385-387
Authors
Nesif J. Al-Hemiary; ;
Abstract
Summary: 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. Key words: faith healing, Iraq, Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Keywords
faith healing; Iraq; Obsessive; compulsive disorder

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