Jemds.com Original Research Article J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci./eISSN- 2278-4802, pISSN- 2278-4748/ Vol. 8/ Issue 02/ Jan. 14, 2019 Page 129 PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS AMONG FOLLOWERS VISITING FAITH HEALERS Pankaj Kumar 1 , Ranjive Mahajan 2 , Navkiran S. Mahajan 3 , Rupesh Chaudhary 4 , B. P. Mishra 5 1 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. 2 Professor and HOD, Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. 3 Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. 4 Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. 5 Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Faith healers play an important role in treating psychosomatic problems of patients apart from western medicine and alternative medicine in India. Although their role is not studied well in modern literature and their contribution is seen lightly in the light of evidence-based medicine, this does not deter patients from seeking treatment from faith healers. The present study is conceived to know the psychosocial characteristics of faith healers and followers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The observational study included 10 faith healers and their 100 followers. Both the groups were interviewed. They were assured of their confidentiality and informed written consent was taken. Demographic data was collected using a structured performa and 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire was used to know personality traits of followers as well as faith healers. RESULTS Female followers comprised 54% of study sample. Majority of the subjects fell in the age group of 20-40 years irrespective of their sex. Mean age of study participants was 35.91 years. Two thirds of sample were married male/female. 53% of the total subjects were Hindu and 44% of subjects were housewives belonging to low socio-economic status and low literacy. Sadness and unresponsiveness were the most common reasons of visit by the attendees. Personality profile of the followers reflects reserve and detached tendency with low emotional stability and low frustration tolerance. They are self-indulgent, conservative and follow traditional ideas. On the other hand, the faith healers were observed to have tough mindedness with realistic tendencies, conservative nature and tolerance of traditional ideas. The sample size estimation was also done at conveniences. CONCLUSION The role of social support system, method of traditional healing and the underlying implications for service delivery are important in the near future. The need of the followers should be understood by modern treatment strategies. However, further extensive studies may be required to establish the theoretical value of findings of this study. KEY WORDS Faith-Healers, Psychosomatic Problems, Personality. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kumar P, Mahajan R, Mahajan NS, et al. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders among followers visiting faith healers. J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci. 2019;8(02):129-132, DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2019/28 BACKGROUND From time immemorial faith healing is practiced for bodily and mental wellbeing of patients in India. The practice of faith healing is invariably prevalent in most of the cultures and religions. Often there is turning towards faith healers due to strong religious faith and easy accessibility. Faith healing practices have been easily available sources of healing for the people from a very long time, though this mode of treatment has been the least accepted by the general physicians or the psychiatrists. Not all, but people with a particular type of personality and income groups tend to seek the help of these faith healers before visiting a professional physician or a psychiatrist. Healers by virtue of their ‘Financial or Other Competing Interest’: None. Submission 18-12-2018, Peer Review 05-01-2019, Acceptance 07-01-2019, Published 14-01-2019. Corresponding Author: Dr. Rupesh Chaudhary, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana141001, Punjab, India. E-mail: rupeshchaudhry123@yahoo.co.in DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2019/28 influence on the intimate lives of people occupy a pivotal position in every culture. Such a position ultimately becomes a strong motivating force. These incentives motivate them towards a career of healer. The motive according to them varied. Most of them offered their help without remuneration but grateful patients seldom failed to bring offerings. 1 This behaviour of people is due to the cultural and social beliefs prevalent in the community. In order to understand the pattern of faith healing practices and people visiting faith healers, profiling of psychosocial factors is needed so as to know which type of people visit faith healers. Carstairs and Kapur conducted a study in a village regarding traditional healers and stated that they were well accepted by the community along with primary care physicians. 2 Psychosomatic problems prevalent in community does not always seek solution from western medicine due to low income, time constraints and unavailability of modern methods. People tend to listen to traditional healers including ayurvedic physicians and religious practitioners. Studies regarding faith healers and their attendees are scarce in India although they are well received and respected by the community.