‘My husband is possessed by a jinn’

a case study in transcultural mental health

Cheng, Kylie

Psychiatry Registrar at Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia

Kylie Cheng, Prince of Wales Hospital, 1/23 Blenheim Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia. Email: [email protected]

Australasian Psychiatry 25(5):p 471-473, October 2017. | DOI: 10.1177/1039856217707392

Objectives

The objective of this study was to discuss jinn possession in Muslim culture, and the importance of understanding cultural differences in mental health.

Conclusion

It is important to understand cultural and religious differences in psychiatry, as it affects the way patients perceive and attribute symptoms. It also helps clinicians to reach an accurate diagnosis and provide appropriate treatments. Beliefs about jinn possession should not automatically be regarded as delusional. In alleged cases of jinn possession, clinicians should consider all the biopsychosocial, cultural and spiritual factors that are unique to the individual. Further research is still needed in this area.