Mental illnessDr Iram Sattar

GP

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

A little Quiz...

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

Impact of Mental illnessTime to use your brain!

IndividualFamilySociety Other

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?

Thank you!

iramsattar@hotmail.comwww.mwnuk.co.uk