Kulhara P, Avasthi A, Sharma A
Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Psychopathology. 2000 Mar-Apr;33(2):62-8. doi: 10.1159/000029122.
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.
在印度，精神疾病常常被归因于超自然现象的影响，许多患者接受了各种“魔法宗教”治疗。我们研究了40例精神分裂症患者，并确定了其主要亲属所持的魔法宗教信仰。探讨了这种魔法宗教信仰对精神病理学和寻求治疗行为的影响。样本为根据世界卫生组织ICD - 10诊断的精神分裂症患者。采用第九版现况检查（PSE - 9）评估精神病理学。对患者的主要亲属进行超自然态度问卷调查，以确定他们对各种超自然现象和魔法宗教治疗的信仰。结果发现，大多数患者（n = 23）接受过魔法宗教治疗。在那些有受文化影响的症状（如用超自然现象进行妄想性解释）的患者中，近74%接受过魔法宗教治疗。还发现，尽管许多亲属否认自己对这种魔法宗教信仰坚信不疑，但他们仍为患者寻求某种魔法宗教治疗。根据PSE - 9定义，受文化影响的妄想症患病率很低。在城市背景且受过良好教育的患者亲属中，相信超自然影响很常见，在这种情况下，相当一部分人会寻求基于此类信仰的治疗。当地和社区对这类现象的信仰似乎是影响寻求魔法宗教治疗决定的一个因素。
