ABSTRACT

In Islam, there is no separation between psychological and spiritual health as they are both intertwined in the worldview of Muslims toward health and illness behaviours. Healthcare practitioners should be aware not to develop stereotypical assumptions about beliefs and practices, but be cognisant of individual health beliefs and behaviours. Some of the significant religio-cultural issues faced by mental health practitioners and counsellors include respect of the individual’s dignity and privacy, community roles and importance, genuineness of provider, gender preference of the healthcare provider, modesty issues for men and women, language barriers, therapeutic touch and the use of prayer and visitation of the sick for healing purposes. For some Muslim patients, the primary presenting mental health problem issue may be psycho-spiritual in nature so that a full spiritual assessment is warranted. Expressions of symptoms may differ among the diverse communities of Muslims. In any case of alleged Jinn possession or witchcraft, underlying organic disorders should be excluded by physical examination and investigations. Barriers in the assessment process may include: the patient’s belief about psychological problems; language barriers; the patient’s attitudes toward accepting the Western method of treatment interventions; or the healthcare services offered may be culturally inappropriate. Any underlying mental health problems should be treated by the usual psychiatric methods, but the clinician should respect the religious and cultural issues and avoid directly contradicting statements from the patient or relatives about the reality of possession or victims of evil eye, Jinn possession or witchcraft. The aims of the chapter are to provide a framework for assessment and screening of Muslim patient clients in the therapeutic process and to examine the diagnosis of evil eye and Jinn possession.