Explanatory Models of Common Mental Disorders among Traditional Healers and Their Patients in Rural South India

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To delineate concepts, categories, causes of common mental disorders (CMD) and their treatment as understood by traditional healers practicing in rural South India. METHODS: Key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with traditional and faith healers were conducted to identify concepts, causes, presentations and treatments for CMD. Patients attending clinics conducted by these healers were interviewed using the Tamil versions of the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) and the Short Explanatory Model Interview (SEMI) in order to identify CMD and understand their explanatory models of illness respectively. RESULTS: Different terms, concepts and treatments were used by traditional and faith healers. A total of 72 patients were interviewed using the CIS-R and the SEMI. Thirty (42.3%) satisfied the International Classification of Diseases-10 Primary Care Version criteria for CMD. Mixed anxiety depression was the most common diagnosis (40%). CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of local patient perspectives of common mental disorders will allow modern medicine to provide culturally sensitive and locally acceptable health care.

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