The search for non-medical treatment by patients with psychiatric disorders

Sünter A. T., Guz H., Ozkan A., Peksen Y.

JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH, vol.45, no.3, pp.396-404, 2006 (AHCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10943-006-9039-4
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF RELIGION & HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.396-404
  • Keywords: psychiatric disorder, non-medical treatment, hodja, fortune-teller, INPATIENTS, MEDICINE, RELIGION, GERMANY
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Patients in Turkey frequently seek help from non-physicians such as hodjas and fortune-tellers. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence, reasons for and results of the search for non-medical help by patients with psychiatric disorders. It was determined that 42.2% of patients consulted a hodja or a fortune-teller, and many (23.1%) were either the subject of prayers or else were advised to pray themselves as treatment. Considering that a significant number of patients seek non-medical treatment, it is thought that people should be informed about psychiatric disorders, therapies, and how to obtain them.