dr iram sattar gp. aims 1. myth busting 2. what does islam say about mental illness? 3. types of...
TRANSCRIPT
Aims1. Myth busting2. What does Islam say about mental illness?3. Types of mental health problems4. Causes5. Treatment6. What can you do to help someone with
mental illness?7. Where to turn for help? 8. What can we do as a Muslim community?9. Useful Resources
Timings2.00 Prayers2.15 Introduction2.30 Quiz2.40 Mental illness – causes, types3.10 - 3.20 Group work – Impact of Mental Illness3.20 - 3.30 Break3.30 Treatment, how to help someone, Jinn3.50 - 4.10 Group work – What can Muslim
community do? 4.20 Q&A4.30 End
What is ‘Mental Health’?Being mentally healthy isn’t just not having a
mental health problem.Good mental health:
Make the most of your potential Cope with life Play a full part in your family, workplace, community
and among friends Also called ‘Emotional health’ or ‘Well-being’We all have times when we feel down or stressed or
frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. Everyone is different. You may bounce back from a
setback while someone else may feel weighed down by it for a long time.
Mental illness and IslamAll diseases are trial and test from AllahSins are forgivenAbu Hurayrah narrates that The Prophet pbuh said:
“There is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its remedy.” (Bukhari 7.582)
Usamah ibn Shuraik narrated:“… ‘O Allah’s Messenger! Should we seek medical treatment for our illnesses?’ He replied: ‘Yes, you should seek medical treatment, because Allah, the Exalted, has let no disease exist without providing for its cure, except for one ailment, namely, old age’.” (Tirmidhi)
To seek treatment!
Mental illness and IslamAmber Haque (2004), "Psychology from Islamic
Perspective: Contributions of Early Muslim Scholars and Challenges to Contemporary Muslim Psychologists", Journal of Religion and Health
Abu Zayd Al-Balkhi (850-934)Described several types of mental illnessCriticised medical doctors for ignoring the
psychological aspect of diseaseAdvocated psychotherapy
Ibn Sina (980-1037)
Myth 1 – “not a real disease”MYTH: Mental illness is caused by weakness
rather than a medical disorder. Psychiatric disorders are not true medical illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. People who have a mental illness are just "crazy”.
FACT: It is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily functioning. Research shows there are genetic and biological causes for psychiatric disorders, and they can be treated effectively. (Imbalance of neurotransmitters).
Causes of Mental illnessGenetic – family history
Small increased risk, most people do not have family members affected
Stressors – past and present Difficult family background e.g. abuse - sexual, domestic
violence, emotional, physical, financial, torture, etc. Stressful life events e.g. work, family, marriage,
bereavement, relationship difficulties, financial, abuse, etc.
Physical illness – head injury, long-term physical illness, epilepsy
Long term substance abuse
Myth 2 – “addiction is your own fault”
MYTH: Addiction is a lifestyle choice and shows a lack of willpower. People with a substance abuse problem are morally weak or "bad"
FACT: Addiction is a disease that generally results from changes in brain chemistry. It has nothing to do with being a "bad" person
Types of Mental illnessDepressionAnxietySchizophreniaObsessive Compulsive DisorderEating Disorders – Anorexia, BulimiaBipolar Disorder
DepressionCommonLowers your moodFeel hopeless, worthless, unmotivated,
exhaustedAffects sleep, appetite, libido, self-esteemTearfulMild, moderate, severeSelf-harm, suicidal thoughts
AnxietyCommonConstant unrealistic worry about any aspect
of daily lifeRestless, sleeping problems, increased heart
beat, stomach upset, feeling shaky, muscle tension (headaches)
Panic attacksPhobias
SchizophreniaHearing voices and/or seeing (hallucinations)
and believing (delusions) things other people don’t share and that are abnormal for your context
Confusion re thoughts, withdrawn, suspicious of others
Reluctant to believe help neededUp to 4% of population hear voices – most
have no problem
Obsessive Compulsive DisorderObsessions – repeated unwelcome thoughts,
ideas, urges e.g.contaminated by dirt/germsworrying that you haven’t locked the door
Compulsions – repetitive activities that you feel you have to do a set number of times.
Obsessions interrupts your thoughts and concentration on work – feel anxious
Compulsions takes up time and relief is short lived
Eating DisordersEating too much or too littleAnorexia – lose weight
To feel controlBulimia – More common. Weight is steady.
Binge, vomiting, laxativesConstantly thinking about food, weight, self-
imageTo disguise emotional pain, deeper issues1 in 20 women
Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)Extreme swings in moodMania – overactive, excited behaviour,
euphoriaDepressionHearing voices and/or seeing (hallucinations)
and believing (delusions) things other people don’t share and that are abnormal for your context
Myth 3 – “pull yourself together”MYTH: If you have a mental illness, you can
will it away. Being treated for a psychiatric disorder means an individual has in some way "failed" or is weak.
FACT: A serious mental illness cannot be willed away. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away, either. It takes courage to seek professional help.
TreatmentSUPPORTExerciseRelaxation – music, art, reading , walking, restingTalking therapies
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Counselling Psychotherapy Group therapy Islamic Counselling Relationship or family therapy
Medication Minor tranquillisers or sleeping pills – to help someone calm
down or sleep Anti-depressants – to lift depression and anxiety Anti-psychotics – to control disturbing thoughts Mood stabilisers – to control extremes of mood
What can you do to help someone with a mental illness?You don’t need to be an expert to help!TALK – Don’t be afraid to ask how they are. They may
want to talk about it or not. To let them know they don’t need to avoid the issue with you.
ASK – how can I help? Accompany to appointment. Exercise together. Help with shopping.
Be open-minded and LISTEN.Talk about other things you would normally talk about
too.Learn about the mental health problemLook after yourselfEmergency – A+E, Samaritan’s helpline, NHS 111Non-emergency – leaflets, helpline, talking
Jinn related illnessJinn mentioned in the Quran – made of smokeless fire, have
free will, accountable for actions, can change form, have families, eat, die
Most scholars believe jinn possession is possible; some don’t
80-90% of those who think jinn related illness are wrong. Possession is even more rare.
Ruqya – recites verses from Quran1. Patient will experience seizure and the jinn will speak
through the client.2. No seizure occurs, but signs indicate that jinn caused the
problem and is now gone.3. Nothing happens, in which case the problem was
physiological or psychological.
What can we as a Muslim community do to help those with mental illness?
Discuss...IndividualsSociety, mosquesWorkHomeFriends, familyGovernmentEtc.
Resourceswww.mind.org.ukwww.mentalhealth.org.ukwww.rethink.orgwww.patient.co.ukwww.nhs.ukwww.samaritans.org - 24hr helpline: 08457
90 90 90www.myh.org.uk – 0808 808 2008
Resources - videoswww.talkingfromtheheart.org
Videos in Somali, Urdu, Bengali/Sylheti
www.healthtalkonline.org/mental_health/mentalhealthserviceusersVideos and transcripts of people's experience with having a mental health problem. Also of parents, siblings, carers.
www.youthhealthtalk.org/Young_people_depression_and_low_mood/People/Interview/2040/Category/426Videos and transcript of Sara (Muslim), aged 20, talking about her mental health problems and the stigma she faced from her family.
QuestionsIs there a link between Domestic Violence
and mental health concerning both women and their children, particularly in adulthood?
A woman runs a social support group, one of the stakeholders presents to her that she has frequent and numerous suicidal thoughts. She doesn't appear to be an immediate danger to herself or anyone else. In such a circumstance, what do you recommend she does in response?