Zar: group distress and healing

Al-Adawi, Samir H.; Martin, Rodger G.; Al-Salmi, Ahmed; Ghassani, Harith

doi:10.1080/13674670010011625

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Within traditional Omani society, abrupt personality changes or altered states of consciousness are commonly attributed to spirit possession [4]. The belief in possession is embedded in social- cultural teaching, in which invisible spirits are deemed to inhabit the earth and influence humans by appearing in the form of an anthropomorphic being.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The first is the symbiotic type, in which the spirit and the human being have a 'platonic' form of relationship. The second type of possession is a partial possession that is reminiscent of dissociative identity disorders in psychiatric parlance [4,10]. The final type (discussed in this case report) represents total possession, in which a person's behavior is totally controlled by a spirit.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In traditional societies, altered states of consciousness (which would be deemed as manifestations of 'disease' states in psychiatric parlance) are attributed to a state of possession in which a person's behavior is thought to be controlled by an anthropomorphic being that has entered the body [4]. The observed changes in personality tend to vary according to the character of the spirit [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The observed changes in personality tend to vary according to the character of the spirit [4]. A belief that spirits may inhabit human beings is found in 90% of the world's population [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Investigation of the cerebral blood flow of an Omani man with supposed ‘spirit possession’ associated with an altered mental state : a case report

et al. 2009

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IntroductionThe view that spirits may possess humans is found in 90% of the world population, including Arab/Islamic societies. Despite the association between possessive states and various neurological and psychiatric disorders, the available literature has yet to correlate possessive states with functional brain imaging modalities such as single-photon-emission computed tomography.Case presentationThis paper describes the clinical case of a 22-year-old male Omani patient who presented to us with an altered state of consciousness that his caregiver attributed to possession. We examined whether the patient's mental state correlated with neuro-imaging data. The patient's distress was invariably associated with specific perfusion in the left temporal lobe and structural abnormality in the left basal ganglia.ConclusionWe discuss the case in the context of possession as a culturally sanctioned idiom of distress, and highlight the importance of studying cross-cultural presentations of altered states of consciousness within biomedical models.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Investigation of the cerebral blood flow of an Omani man with supposed ‘spirit possession’ associated with an altered mental state : a case report

et al. 2009

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Mental illness and Egyptian families

Endrawes

O’Brien

Wilkes

2007

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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People from Egypt have cultural belief systems about mental illness and its causes that are at variance from Anglo-Saxon-derived understandings that predominate in Australian psychiatry. These differences in understanding can affect how mental health services are experienced and accepted by this cultural group. This paper is a review of the literature on Egyptians' beliefs about mental illness and how families in Egypt cope with a relative with mental illness. Because of limited literature on Egyptians' experience with mental illness in Australia, this paper will be used to shed some light on the way in which people experience mental illness and communicate this suffering in the Australian context, based on what has been known to occur in Egypt. The Zar cult and related practices focusing on belief in the evil eye, magic, and evil possession will be explored. Historical and contemporary mental health care systems in Egypt, and the influence of education and religion are discussed. In order to provide culturally sensitive care, nurses need to be aware of possible influences on belief systems about mental illness. This paper has the potential of helping nurses to gain a deeper understanding of cultures that differ from theirs and to provide care to clients and their families based on respect for the others' beliefs, values, and practices.

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Egyptian families caring for a relative with mental illness: A hermeneutic study

Endrawes

O’Brien

Wilkes

2007

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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The care of people with mental illness often rests with their families. The way families manage this experience has been explored widely in the literature; however, the added complexity of migration has been given little attention. The difficulty of conducting research with people from non-English-speaking backgrounds often precludes their voices and experiences from being heard, further compounding marginalization and misunderstanding of their needs. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of Egyptian families caring for a relative with mental illness in Australia. Seven participants from Egyptian background, caring for a relative with mental illness, were included in this study. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach, informed by the work of Heidegger, was used. Data were collected through in-depth audio-taped interviews conducted in the Arabic language, which were then translated and transcribed in English. Data analysis revealed five themes: Why did it happen? How do I protect my loved ones? What has it done to me? What has it done to us? How do I survive? Findings of the study have the potential to raise health-care professionals' awareness of the needs of Egyptian families, their beliefs, values, and coping with mental illness.

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Zar: group distress and healing

Cited by 4 publications

References 31 publications

Investigation of the cerebral blood flow of an Omani man with supposed ‘spirit possession’ associated with an altered mental state : a case report

Investigation of the cerebral blood flow of an Omani man with supposed ‘spirit possession’ associated with an altered mental state : a case report

Mental illness and Egyptian families

Egyptian families caring for a relative with mental illness: A hermeneutic study

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