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Awaad R, Midani M, Ali T, Sifat MS, Albatnuni M. The Development and Implementation of a Custom-Tailored Suicide Response Training for Muslim Communities. J Relig Health 2024; 63:1954-1966. [PMID: 38532031 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02032-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Research indicates that the suicide attempt rate among American Muslims is at least twice the rate of the national US average and follows a different trend of suicide behavior compared to other groups. Religious leaders, such as Imams, are commonly sought out for support, but many lack training in mental health crisis management. The Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab created the Muslim Community Suicide Response Manual and its accompanying training modules to address this issue. This paper describes the creation, evolution, and future directions of the Suicide Response Training from an Islamic perspective to reduce suicide risk in Muslim communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
| | - Mona Midani
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Tasmeer Ali
- Counseling Department, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Munjireen S Sifat
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
- Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, USA
| | - Mawdah Albatnuni
- Educational and Counseling Psychology, Room 614, Education Building, 3700 McTavish Street, Montreal, QC, H3A 1Y2, Canada
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2
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Awaad R, Quadri Y, Sifat M, Elzamzamy K, Suleiman K, Rehman O, Husain A, Abdelrehim A, Rushdi R, Belanger CC, Hill TD, Koenig HG. An Exploratory Qualitative Analysis of the Stanford-Templeton Convenings on Islam and Suicide. J Relig Health 2024; 63:954-967. [PMID: 38198108 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01986-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
For over 70 years, studies have reported lower rates of completed suicide in Muslim-majority countries and individuals who identify as Muslim. To this point, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between Islam and lower risk of suicide remain understudied. In an effort to advance our understanding, we convened a bilingual international interdisciplinary panel of experts for a discussion of the current state and future directions of the field. In this paper, we present an exploratory qualitative analysis of the core themes that emerged from the group interviews. We also derive a general theoretical model of the association between Islam and suicide risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Yasmeen Quadri
- Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Munjireen Sifat
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 655 Research Parkway Suite 400, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | | | - Kamal Suleiman
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Obaid Rehman
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 400 Lee St, Lewisburg, WV, 24901, USA
| | - Amina Husain
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Amira Abdelrehim
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Ein-Shams University, 1 Elsarayat St., Abbaseya, 11517, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rufaida Rushdi
- Department of Pediatrics, Cairo University, 1 Gamaa Street, Giza, Egypt
| | - Chelsea C Belanger
- Department of Sociology, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Terrence D Hill
- Department of Sociology, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA.
| | - Harold G Koenig
- Duke University Health System, King Abdulaziz University, Box 3400 Med Ctr, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
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Awaad R, Hussein A, Durrani Z, Shareef S. The Development of a Novel Suicide Postvention Healing Model for Muslim Communities in the United States of America. J Relig Health 2024; 63:1002-1016. [PMID: 38006521 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Suicide among American Muslims is understudied, despite recent research highlighting increased suicide attempts among this population. While suicide is forbidden in Islam, formal guidelines for addressing and responding to suicide within Muslim communities did not exist until recently. The Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab has responded to a number of suicides in Muslim communities across North America and implemented an original model for suicide response and community healing. This approach incorporates Islamic principles and values to create a culturally and religiously congruent response to suicide that can support loss survivors and steer impacted communities toward healing. The Muslim Postvention Community Healing session described in this paper aims to provide a safe space for individuals impacted by suicide to come together and process their emotions, while also using Islamic teachings to guide the healing process. This unique model has the potential to serve as a valuable resource for Muslim communities across North America, and beyond, in addressing and responding to suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Maristan, San Francisco Bay Area, Hayward, CA, USA.
| | - Anwar Hussein
- Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, 290 E Buchtel Ave, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Zuha Durrani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sana Shareef
- Department of Bioethics, School of Professional Studies, Columbia University, 2970 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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Zia B, Kouser T, Helal H, Awaad R. A Brief Overview of the Islamic Ethics of Suicide and Suicide-Related Contemporary Issues from a Sunnī Perspective: A Primer for Clinicians and Researchers. J Relig Health 2024; 63:968-984. [PMID: 38421564 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02007-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Suicide is a growing global health concern with complex socioeconomic implications. Understanding psychosocial resiliency factors may facilitate suicide prevention. Religious moral objections to suicide, including those inspired by the Islamic faith, appear to promote resilience to suicide. However, few English-language resources provide an overview of Islam's moral and ethical position on suicide, potentially hindering treatment of, and research on, suicide risk among Muslims. In the current paper, Islam's unanimous prohibition of suicide is explored and contextualized within the religion's foundational principles regarding the sanctity of life, the role and necessity of hardships, and one's responsibility to care for their body and to maintain their rights to their community. The role of harsh deterrents to suicide are contrasted with the impetus to show compassion to the deceased and the bereaved. Given the increasing focus on suicide-related topics such as euthanasia/ medical assistance in dying (MAID) and suicide contagion, Islam's ethical and legal position on suicide is discussed in the context of these contemporary moral issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belal Zia
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Taimur Kouser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Hosam Helal
- Department for the Study of Religion, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Awaad R, Durrani Z, Quadri Y, Sifat MS, Hussein A, Kouser T, El-Gabalawy O, Rajeh N, Shareef S. Developing a Suicide Crisis Response Team in America: An Islamic Perspective. J Relig Health 2024; 63:985-1001. [PMID: 38245908 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01993-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Suicide is a critical public health issue in the United States, recognized as the tenth leading cause of death across all age groups (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Despite the Islamic prohibition on suicide, suicidal ideation and suicide mortality persist among Muslim populations. Recent data suggest that U.S. Muslim adults are particularly vulnerable, with a higher attempt history compared to respondents from other faith traditions. While the underlying reasons for this vulnerability are unclear, it is evident that culturally and religiously congruent mental health services can be utilized to steer suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention in Muslim communities across the United States. However, the development of Suicide Response toolkits specific to Muslim populations is currently limited. As a result, Muslim communities lack a detailed framework to appropriately respond in the event of a suicide tragedy. This paper aims to fill this gap in the literature by providing structured guidelines for the formation of a Crisis Response Team (CRT) through an Islamic lens. The CRT comprises of a group of individuals who are strategically positioned to respond to a suicide tragedy. Ideally, the team will include religious leaders, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, social workers, and community leaders. The proposed guidelines are designed to be culturally and religiously congruent and take into account the unique cultural and religious factors that influence Muslim communities' responses to suicide. By equipping key personnel in Muslim communities with the resources to intervene in an emergent situation, provide support to those affected, and mobilize community members to assist in prevention efforts, this model can help save lives and prevent future suicide tragedies in Muslim communities across the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd Ste 2114, MC 5723, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Maristan, 340 Annette Lane, Hayward, CA, 94541, USA.
| | - Zuha Durrani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Yasmeen Quadri
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5101, USA
| | - Munjireen S Sifat
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
- Health Promotion Research Center, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anwar Hussein
- Department of Psychology, The University of Akron, 290 E Buchtel Ave, Akron, OH, 44325, USA
| | - Taimur Kouser
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA, 94305-5101, USA
| | - Osama El-Gabalawy
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neshwa Rajeh
- Department of Professional Studies, Northwestern University, 633 Clark Street, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Sana Shareef
- School of Professional Studies, Department of Bioethics, Columbia University, 2970 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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Elahi S, Elsayed D, Ali S, Awaad R. Ethnic Differences in Muslim Women's Mental Health Beliefs, Rejection Attitudes, and Familiarity with Professional Mental Healthcare. Ment Health Relig Cult 2024; 26:890-907. [PMID: 38585328 PMCID: PMC10997350 DOI: 10.1080/13674676.2023.2243459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Prior work on Muslims' mental health help-seeking factors has emphasized their rejection attitudes, religious and cultural beliefs, and familiarity with mental health (Aloud & Rathur, 2009; Ali et al., 2021). However, no research has examined differences in these factors across different Muslim ethnic groups, and particularly among Muslim women. 1214 Muslim women living in the USA completed online questionnaires. Data was stratified based on history of mental health visits to control for previous service utilization. MANOVAs assessed ethnic group differences in beliefs, familiarity, and rejection attitudes toward professional mental healthcare. Results revealed significant differences between ethnic groups in all three factors; these differences depended on the women's history of service utilization. Findings suggest that barriers to accessing professional mental healthcare differ among Muslim ethnic groups. Results are discussed in light of clinical implications and other contributing factors to the underutilization of professional mental healthcare among ethnically diverse American Muslim women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saadia Elahi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, USA
| | - Danah Elsayed
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - Sara Ali
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, USA
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Daouk S, Dailami M, Barakat S, Awaad R, Muñoz RF, Leykin Y. Suicidality in the Arab World: Results from an Online Screener. Community Ment Health J 2023; 59:1401-1408. [PMID: 37140845 PMCID: PMC10157551 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-023-01129-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Suicide in the Arab World is grossly understudied. This study sought to understand suicidality among Arabic-speaking individuals visiting an online depression screener. A large sample (N = 23,201) from the Arab World was recruited online. 78.9% (n = 17,042) reported suicidality (thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt) and 12.4% reported a suicide attempt in the past 2 weeks. Binary logistic regressions indicated that women tended to report more suicidality, and that suicidality tended to decline with age (all ps < 0.001), across all levels of suicidality. Comparing countries with n ≥ 1000 (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia), several 3-way (gender * age * country) and 2-way interactions indicated that some countries departed from the usual pattern of responses. For instance, in Algeria, neither gender nor age differences were observed in reported attempts. Women and younger adults in the Arab World may be at higher risk of suicidality. Differences between and within countries warrant further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sariah Daouk
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo AltoPalo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Mina Dailami
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo AltoPalo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
| | - Suzanne Barakat
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ricardo F Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo AltoPalo Alto, CA, 94304, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for International Internet Interventions for Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yan Leykin
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo AltoPalo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Institute for International Internet Interventions for Health, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
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Hosseini Z, Bakdash T, Ahmad S, Awaad R. Predictors of depression among Syrian refugee women: A socio-culturally relevant analysis. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1223-1230. [PMID: 36825623 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231155810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Syrian refugee women have faced myriad adversities as they have navigated the realities of war, increasing the risk for mental health concerns such as depressive symptomatology. This study explores the nuances of relevant sociocultural factors that can contribute to depressive symptomatology among widowed Syrian refugee women who live in an institutionalized care setting. We explored the impact of past trauma exposure, perceived independence, and a desire to leave the current place of displacement and the interplay between them. METHODS The PCRF Traumatic Events Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were administered to 57 Syrian refugee women in Lebanon (Mage = 37; M number of children = 3) to measure levels of trauma exposure and depressive symptoms, respectively. Perceived independence and a desire to leave their current place of residence were measured using 1-item measures. RESULTS Using hierarchical regression models, past trauma exposure (B = 1.51, p = .002) and perceived independence (B = 0.33, p = .04) significantly predicted depressive symptoms. A desire to travel (B = 0.84, p = .07) marginally predicted depressive symptoms. Past trauma exposure attenuated the impact of perceived independence on depressive symptoms such that at lower levels of past trauma exposure, higher perceptions of independence predicted higher depression (simple slope = 0.29, t = 2.13, p = .05), while at higher levels of past trauma higher perceptions of independence predicted lower depressive symptoms (simple slope = -0.16, t = -2.21, p = .04). Trauma exposure did not moderate the impact of a desire to leave on depression, but age did. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that sociocultural factors may influence women's experiences with depressive symptoms differently, and this heterogeneity must be accounted for when treatment programs are proposed. Further, Syrian refugee women who have lost primary family members may pose different profiles of depressive symptoms than other groups of women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Talah Bakdash
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, USA
| | - Sadena Ahmad
- University of Albany, State University of New York, USA
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Awaad R, Nursoy-Demir M, Khalil A, Helal H. Islamic Civilizations and Plagues: The Role of Religion, Faith and Psychology During Pandemics. J Relig Health 2023; 62:1379-1393. [PMID: 36823257 PMCID: PMC9949692 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-023-01765-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The current study seeks to analyze Muslim experiences of communicative diseases with a focus on the psychosocial impacts and public, communal, and personal responses of Muslim populations throughout history. By examining a selection of plague outbreaks between the 8-19th centuries across the lands broadly defined as the Islamic Mediterranean (Varlık, 2017), the guidelines and coping mechanisms that Muslims extracted from their traditional sources are highlighted. This historical perspective contributes to a better understanding of the psychological and social aspects of pandemics for the Muslim community, specifically for the role played by faith and spirituality as determinants of psychological well-being in Muslims' perceptions and responses. We suggest that such an understanding is especially useful for contemporary mental health practitioners working with Muslim patients through the global COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Rd., Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Merve Nursoy-Demir
- Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Awaad R, Quadri Y, Suleiman K, Husain A, Hosseini Z, Rehman O, Elzamzamy K, Abdelrehim A, Rushdi R, Hill T, Koenig H. Islam and suicide: An interdisciplinary scoping review. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2023. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
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Awaad R, Ali S. The original self-help book: Al-balkhi’s 9th century “Sustenance of the body and soul”. Spirituality in Clinical Practice 2023. [DOI: 10.1037/scp0000310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
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Waqar S, Ghouri N, Awaad R. Chronic Disease Management During Ramadan. Am Fam Physician 2023; 107:125-126. [PMID: 36791453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Salman Waqar
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nazim Ghouri
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rania Awaad
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health Lab, Stanford Diversity Clinics, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
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Awaad R, Obaid E, Kouser T, Ali S. Addressing Mental Health Through Community Partnerships in a Muslim Community. Psychiatr Serv 2023; 74:96-99. [PMID: 36065581 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.202100505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The mental health of American Muslims remains significantly understudied and unaddressed, despite known obstacles to Muslims' utilization of mental health services, such as stigma and institutional mistrust. Since the inception of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab in 2014, partnerships across the Bay Area were formed among key Muslim community establishments to address obstacles to good mental health. Through a community-centered approach, diverse stakeholders engaged to identify and address the community's most pressing mental health challenges. Successful outcomes of this approach include facilitated research and mental health initiatives to support the Bay Area Muslim community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Eiman Obaid
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Taimur Kouser
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Sara Ali
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Ali S, Mahmood A, McBryde-Redzovic A, Humam F, Awaad R. Role of Mosque Communities in Supporting Muslims with Mental Illness: Results of CBPR-oriented Focus Groups in the Bay Area, California. Psychiatr Q 2022; 93:985-1001. [PMID: 36322232 PMCID: PMC9628571 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-022-10002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Objective The purpose of this study was to explore perspectives of Muslims residing in the Bay Area, California on the role of the mosque community in supporting community members' mental health needs and barriers to mental health care for members who experience mental health challenges. Methods This study employed a CBPR-focused qualitative approach in the form of content analysis of three focus group discussions organized and conducted with the help of a Community Advisory Board made up of members of the Muslim Community Association. Results Two major themes were identified upon examination of the data: services needed in the mosque community and barriers to addressing mental health issues in the mosque community. Specifically, participants reported wanting support groups within the mosque space, mosque-based activities, virtual support, community social workers, and family-oriented services. Barriers reported included community stigma, lack of cultural awareness of race-ethnic minorities within the community, attribution of mental illness to lack of faith or supernatural causes, and specific barriers unique to vulnerable/special subgroups within the community. Conclusion These findings highlight the need for developing mental health-related services and social support initiatives within the mosque space, specifically for those Muslim Americans living in the Bay Area in California. Furthermore, special attention needs to be placed on the barriers to accessing these services as identified by the community members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ali
- Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Services, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Aafreen Mahmood
- School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA USA
| | - Aminah McBryde-Redzovic
- Division of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Fairuziana Humam
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Miami, Miami, FL USA
| | - Rania Awaad
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
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15
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Ali S, Elsayed D, Elahi S, Zia B, Awaad R. Predicting rejection attitudes toward utilizing formal mental health services in Muslim women in the US: Results from the Muslims' perceptions and attitudes to mental health study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2022; 68:662-669. [PMID: 33719665 DOI: 10.1177/00207640211001084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underutilization of mental health services is a recognized problem for the growing number of Muslims living in the West. Despite their unique mental health risk factors and the pivotal role they play in determining mental health discourse in their families and in society, Muslim women in particular have not received sufficient study. AIM To help remedy this research gap, we examined factors that may impact the rejection attitudes of Muslim women toward professional mental health care using the first psychometrically validated scale of its kind; the M-PAMH (Muslims' Perceptions and Attitudes to Mental Health). METHODS A total of 1,222 Muslim women responded to questions about their cultural and religious beliefs about mental health, stigma associated with mental health, and familiarity with formal mental health services in an anonymous online survey. RESULTS Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that higher religious and cultural beliefs, higher societal stigma, and lower familiarity with professional mental health services were associated with greater rejection attitudes toward professional mental healthcare. The final model was statistically significant, F (5, 1,216) = 73.778; p < .001, and explained 23% of the variance in rejection attitudes with stigma accounting for the most (12.3%) variance, followed by cultural and religious mental health beliefs (6%), and familiarity with mental health services (2.7%). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that although the examined factors contributed significantly to the model, they may not be sufficient in the explanation of Muslim women's rejection attitudes toward mental health services. Future research may explore additional variables, as well as predictive profiles for Muslim women's perceptions and attitudes of mental health based on a combination of these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ali
- Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - Danah Elsayed
- Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Belal Zia
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Rania Awaad
- Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA
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Awaad R, Abolaban H, Maklad S, Ahmad R, Koopman C. Improving Recruitment for Mental Health Research in Muslim American Women : Research Recruitment in Muslim American Women. Community Ment Health J 2022; 58:799-805. [PMID: 34510299 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-021-00887-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study determines the methods for improving recruitment of Muslim American women in mental health research. Studying this minority population in more depth will reduce their suffering from mental illness. A 40-item survey, along with cover letter, was hosted on the Stanford University website and sent via email to organizations known to have large Muslim American women populations. Although approximately 200-300 responses were hoped for, an unexpected total of 1279 women completed the survey within days. The effectiveness of this survey was attributed to multiple factors: ease of an online survey, privacy afforded through an anonymous survey, trust in the PI, the survey being hosted by a reputable university and understanding the importance of mental health research. It is important to continue improving methods to recruit the minority Muslim American women population for studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Heba Abolaban
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sara Maklad
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rabeea Ahmad
- University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Cheryl Koopman
- Stanford Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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17
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Awaad R, El-Gabalawy O, Jackson-Shaheed E, Zia B, Keshavarzi H, Mogahed D, Altalib H. Suicide Attempts of Muslims Compared With Other Religious Groups in the US. JAMA Psychiatry 2021; 78:1041-1044. [PMID: 34287614 PMCID: PMC8295887 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.1813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This study compares the prevalence of suicide attempts among Muslims compared with other faith communities in the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | | | - Ebony Jackson-Shaheed
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven,Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Belal Zia
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Hooman Keshavarzi
- Department of Psychological Research, Khalil Center/Ibn Khaldun University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Dalia Mogahed
- Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, Dearborn, Michigan
| | - Hamada Altalib
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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18
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Daouk S, Awaad R, Ahmed B, Barakat S, Muñoz RF, Leykin Y. Common and Country-Specific Characteristics Associated With Suicidality in the Arab Region. J Clin Psychiatry 2020; 82. [PMID: 33356022 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.19m13199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the prevalence of recent (previous 2 weeks) suicide attempts and estimates of likelihood of future suicide attempts as well as demographic characteristics associated with such attempts among residents of the Arab region looking for depression information online. METHODS Google Ads were used to recruit 1,003 Arabic-speaking adults mostly from February 2014 to June 2014 to take part in a depression and suicidality screening study using a self-report questionnaire based on DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. RESULTS Of the eligible participants (N = 900), 10.6% reported a suicide attempt in the previous 2 weeks, and 16.1% indicated a likelihood of making a suicide attempt in the following month. Men, those declining to state their sexual orientation, those from lower subjective social status (SSS), and unemployed individuals had higher odds of reporting a past suicide attempt (P = .001, P = .002, P < .001, P = .023, respectively). Younger individuals, those less religious, those with past suicide attempt, and those with lower SSS had higher odds of a likelihood of a future suicide attempt (P = .03, P = .02, P < .001, P = .001, respectively). Comparing the 4 countries with highest number of participants (Algeria, n = 148, Egypt, n = 260, Morocco, n = 118, and Saudi Arabia, n = 99), lower SSS was associated with higher odds of an attempt for Algeria, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, but not for Egypt (P = .002). Lower religiosity was related to higher odds of estimates of future suicide for Algeria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, but not for Morocco (P = .014). CONCLUSIONS Suicidality among residents of Arab-speaking countries warrants further exploration. Common predictors of risk may be less relevant for some populations..
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Affiliation(s)
- Sariah Daouk
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Bilal Ahmed
- College of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio
| | | | - Ricardo F Muñoz
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California,School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Yan Leykin
- Department of Psychology, Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, California,School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California,Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304
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19
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Furqan Z, Awaad R, Kurdyak P, Husain MI, Husain N, Zaheer J. Considerations for clinicians treating Muslim patients with psychiatric disorders during Ramadan. Lancet Psychiatry 2019; 6:556-557. [PMID: 31056458 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(19)30161-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Furqan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rania Awaad
- Stanford Muslims and Mental Health Lab, Stanford Diversity Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Khalil Center-Bay Area, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Health Outcomes and Performance Evaluation (HOPE) Research Unit, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad I Husain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; General Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nusrat Husain
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK
| | - Juveria Zaheer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Health Outcomes and Performance Evaluation (HOPE) Research Unit, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; General Psychiatry and Health Systems Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif
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21
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Hashemi B, Ali S, Awaad R, Soudi L, Housel L, Sosebee SJ. Facilitating mental health screening of war-torn populations using mobile applications. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2017; 52:27-33. [PMID: 27815623 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-016-1303-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND War-torn populations are often hard to screen for mental health disorders. Classical data collection approaches, such as paper-based, online, or SMS-operated, are either infeasible or lack accuracy due to a variety of challenges associated with dynamics and consequences of war. METHODS In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for accurate and fast screening using free open-source software, Open Data Kit (ODK) mobile application. This approach was developed by the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) to assess the mental health symptoms of 986 Palestinian children (age 6-18) in the aftermath of Israel's Operation Protective Edge (OPE) in 2014. The organization developed assessment questionnaires and trained local field workers on the use of the mobile application, and on recruiting and interviewing war victims. RESULTS War-affected children were found to suffer from several alarming symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and somatic symptoms. Children with highest number of psychological symptoms were referred for further evaluation and treatment. CONCLUSIONS The use of ODK mobile technologies facilitated efficient screening of affected children in war zones. The offline data collection capability was crucial for handling the difficult conditions associated with war-torn areas, enabling timely intervention for urgent cases. Further applications of the novel mobile technology are to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Hashemi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Muslims and Mental Health Lab, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Rd Ste 2206, MC 5723, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Medical Advisory Board, Kent, USA
| | - Sara Ali
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Muslims and Mental Health Lab, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Rd Ste 2206, MC 5723, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Rania Awaad
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Muslims and Mental Health Lab, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, 401 Quarry Rd Ste 2206, MC 5723, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - Laila Soudi
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Lawrence Housel
- Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Medical Advisory Board, Kent, USA
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Awaad R, Ali S, Salvador M, Bandstra B. A Process-Oriented Approach to Teaching Religion and Spirituality in Psychiatry Residency Training. Acad Psychiatry 2015; 39:654-60. [PMID: 25510222 DOI: 10.1007/s40596-014-0256-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although the importance of addressing issues of spirituality and religion is increasingly acknowledged within psychiatry training, many questions remain about how to best teach relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Current literature on curricula highlights the importance of maintaining a clinical focus and the balance between didactic content and process issues. The authors present findings from a program evaluation study of a course on religion, spirituality, and psychiatry that deliberately takes a primarily process-oriented, clinically focused approach. METHODS Two six-session courses were offered. The first course targeted fourth-year psychiatry residents and the second targeted third-year psychiatry residents. Teaching sessions consisted of brief didactics combined with extensive process-oriented discussion. A two-person faculty team facilitated the courses. Clinical case discussions were integrated throughout the curriculum. A panel of chaplains was invited to participate in one session of each course to discuss the interface between spiritual counsel and psychiatry. A modified version of the Course Impact Questionnaire, a 20-item Likert scale utilized in previous studies of spirituality curricula in psychiatry, assessed residents' personal spiritual attitudes, competency, change in professional practice, and change in professional attitudes before and after the course (N = 20). Qualitative feedback was also elicited through written comments. RESULTS The results from this study showed a statistically significant difference between the pre- and post-test scale for residents' self-perceived competency and change in professional practice. CONCLUSION The findings suggest improvement in competency and professional practice scores in residents who participated in this course. This points toward the overall usefulness of the course and suggests that a process-oriented approach may be effective for discussing religion and spirituality in psychiatric training.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Ali
- Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Awaad R, Ali S. Obsessional Disorders in al-Balkhi's 9th century treatise: Sustenance of the Body and Soul. J Affect Disord 2015; 180:185-9. [PMID: 25911133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 02/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Some argue that the earliest case of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was reported by Robert Burton in his compendium The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621) and that only in the 19th century did modern concepts of OCD evolve, differentiating it from other types of mental illness. In this paper, we aim to reveal an even earlier presentation of the malady we now call OCD based on the 9th century work, Sustenance of the Body and Soul, written by Abu Zayd al-Balkhi during the Islamic Golden Era. Discovery of this manuscript reveals that Abu Zayd al-Balkhi should be credited with differentiating OCD from other forms of mental illnesses nearly a millennium earlier than is currently claimed by anthologies documenting the history of mental illness. Particular attention is paid to al-Balkhi's classifications, symptom descriptions, predisposing factors, and the treatment modalities for obsessional disorders. Analysis of this manuscript in light of the DSM-5 and modern scientific discoveries reveals transcultural diagnostic consistency of OCD across many centuries. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rania Awaad
- Stanford University School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Sara Ali
- Stanford University School of Medicine, United States
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Abstract
The purpose of this article is to describe outcomes of intrathecal baclofen therapy for 29 patients with cerebral palsy, focusing on impairments, functional limitations, and disability. Patients received individualized rehabilitation and were followed up to 24 months. The primary outcome measures were the Ashworth Scale and the functional skills and caregiver assistance scales of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Ashworth Scale scores were significantly reduced (P < or = .0005). All areas of functional skills and caregiver assistance improved. Comparing groups of adults and patients less than 18 years, there were no significant differences, but there was a relationship between age and dose. Comparing groups of patients in high and low levels of independent functional mobility, no significant differences were found. These results provide suggestive evidence that the combination of intrathecal baclofen therapy and rehabilitation has positive effects across the dimensions of disablement. This study serves as a basis for high-level scientific studies of these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Awaad
- Neurology Division, Movement Disorder Clinic, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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