Psychiatry faces several accusations. Some belittle it, not viewing it with the same regard as other medical specialties. Others fear it, seeing it as a stigma—a view often reinforced by our media. Still others are pessimistic, viewing it only as a reflection of madness.
The truth is that psychiatry is one of the most important fields of medicine in the modern era. Mental illnesses are increasingly being diagnosed, and research and scientific discoveries in their treatments are constantly growing.
Did you know, for example, that suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, and that most cases have a history of mental illness such as major depression or bipolar disorder? Did you know that clinical depression is expected to become one of the top three causes of death by 2030?
In the following lines, I will try to list some common misconceptions about psychiatry and psychological treatments. I hope my words will have a positive impact in correcting these concepts, encouraging reconsideration, and strengthening the resolve of those thinking of seeking faith-based therapy.
You are not suffering from any health problems
It is common in general hospitals and clinics for some patients to undergo examinations and medical tests to find out the cause of a symptom or pain they are feeling. The results of clinical, laboratory, and other tests may not explain the patient’s complaint at all or only partially.
Here comes the doctor’s answer: “The tests are normal, and you are not suffering from any health problems.”
This may make the patient feel frustrated because they are still suffering from pain and hardship, and the doctor’s words did nothing to alleviate that.
Somatization refers to clear physical symptoms that the patient feels, but for which there is no clear medical explanation—perhaps because it has not yet been discovered, or perhaps because psychological factors related to thoughts and feelings play a larger role.
Alexithymia describes the condition of some people who have difficulty recognizing and expressing their feelings clearly. They do not handle stress well, so their inner thoughts and feelings get mixed up with their physical sensations. When the tongue is silent, the body speaks.
Perhaps the doctor misspoke when they said, “You are not suffering from any health problems.” The more accurate statement is that you are indeed suffering, and your complaint is completely real, but it requires a different kind of medical intervention.
Your doctor may advise you to see a psychiatrist, which some patients perceive as a dismissal of their complaint or an insult. This is due to several reasons, including the stigma around mental health that still exists in our communities.
The truth is that psychiatry is a medical specialty. Its organic diseases leave their mark on the brain’s structure and function, and some of its symptoms manifest as physical symptoms. Its treatments, whether with medication or psychotherapy, have been scientifically and practically studied, and discoveries in this field continue to emerge, just like any other specialty.
So if you are suffering from a health problem, have visited several doctors, and have undergone many tests to no avail, a visit to a psychiatrist might help, and you may find relief in the psychiatric clinic that you haven’t found elsewhere.
Psychiatric Patients are a Danger to Others
Some believe that psychiatric patients are violent and cause harm to others—which can indeed happen in acute and severe cases. However, in general, studies have shown that the rate of violence from psychiatric patients does not exceed the rate of violence from those who do not suffer from mental illness.
In fact, psychiatric patients are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.
A Psychiatric Patient Cannot Live a Normal Life
Some believe that being a psychiatric patient means your life has stopped, that you have become a burden on others, and that you need someone to take care of all your needs and responsibilities.
The truth is that mental illness is like any physical illness, with varying degrees of severity. Late-stage and severe cases can indeed cause something similar to this, just like a physical illness in its advanced stages, such as cancer or liver and kidney failure—may Allah protect us all.
As for temporary or long-term cases of mild to moderate severity, they are like their counterparts in physical illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. You commit to medication or psychotherapy—as decided with your doctor after an examination—as well as some adjustments to your daily routine.
Then you can live a completely normal life, taking care of yourself and your family, engaging in sports, social, and recreational activities, and working just like anyone else.
Psychiatric Medications are Just Narcotics
There is a common belief that psychiatric medications are addictive, which makes many people hesitant to visit a psychiatrist for fear of entering what they call the “spiral of treatment.”
The truth is that some medications that a patient’s diagnosis might require can indeed be addictive. However, this won’t happen—even with the medicine’s addictive properties—if the patient follows the doctor’s instructions on dosage and duration, with gradual tapering as guided by the doctor until the medication is stopped completely.
The vast majority of other psychiatric medications are like other general medicines; they do not cause dependence and are not addictive at all. If this belief is the reason for your hesitation in going to a psychiatrist, I hope that correcting this information will cause you to reconsider your decision.
Mental Illness is a Weakness in Personality/Faith
Some think that mental illness necessarily reflects a weakness in the patient’s personality or faith, which is far from the truth.
Mental illness, like any physical illness, has a genetic/biological basis—which we have no control over—and its emergence is aided by environmental, psychological, and social factors. And it requires therapeutic intervention like any other disease.
As for faith and religious belief, it can indeed be a protective factor. Studies have shown that suicide rates are lower among people of faith than among those who do not believe in a religion. It can also help in accepting the illness by viewing it as a trial for which there is a reward, leading to a state of acceptance and contentment, which positively affects the recovery process.
For instance, a patient might be more diligent with treatment as a way of “tying their camel,” strengthening the positive factors for a good prognosis.
However, the belief that a strong personality and mental illness cannot coexist, or that faith and mental illness cannot coexist, is a mistaken and obstructive belief. It prevents the patient from getting the necessary care they deserve early on, which could prevent the illness from progressing to more severe and complex stages.
There is No Cure for Mental Illness
Some believe that all psychiatric diagnoses are chronic and that treatment lasts a lifetime. This is indeed the case for some diagnoses, just as it is for other physical conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
However, psychiatry also includes temporary diagnoses of mild or moderate severity, or those that come in episodes, much like other health setbacks such as the flu or headaches. These are treated with medication or psychotherapy until the symptoms subside or disappear, at which point the treatment is stopped.
Psychiatric Treatment is Medication Only
Some think that visiting a psychiatrist necessarily equals drug therapy. While medication is indeed necessary for some mental illnesses—especially those of moderate to severe degree—there is another world of treatment called psychotherapy.
It has many schools, the most important of which is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), whose long-term healing effects have been proven by scientific studies. For many Muslim women, this can be integrated into a faith-based therapy approach. In many psychological problems, psychotherapy alone is sufficient, or it is used alongside medication.
Psychiatric Medications are Useless
Someone might tell you, “I went to the doctor, and he prescribed a treatment. I took it for a week or two and saw no effect. On the contrary, I suffered from its side effects, so I stopped it.”
And I tell you: this person has told you the truth.
Most psychiatric medications need some time before you can feel their effect. It may take from one to two weeks, and perhaps more for some illnesses, for them to start working.
And—like any medication—they have side effects that appear and gradually subside over time. If they don’t subside or are very bothersome for you, we intervene to manage them with medication or coping strategies, or we might change the medication to another one. This is what we tell our patients when prescribing treatment to build awareness and set their expectations correctly.
The patient’s mistake here was deciding to stop the treatment on their own, before consulting their doctor. Perhaps it was just at the time they were about to start feeling better, as the medication began to take effect or the side effects lessened, or both.
Psychiatric medications, in particular, require consultation with a specialist before starting them—don’t take them on your own based on a friend’s advice, for example—and before stopping them, because they are not stopped abruptly but are tapered off gradually, in a way that differs from one patient to another depending on their response, with close monitoring for any possibility of relapse.
I Started Psychotherapy and My Situation is Getting Worse
Someone might tell you, “When I started therapy sessions, things got worse and more difficult.”
Psychotherapy is not just about venting what’s inside you—that’s a basic and initial step, of course, but it’s not everything. You express what pains you—which is not easy, and perhaps you are doing it with this clarity and depth for the first time.
Then, together, we rearrange the scenes, identify the problems, and determine what we can work on and what is beyond our control. Then we set therapeutic goals and an action plan, committing to its steps together to reach the desired outcome.
The pain of opening up at the beginning might make the emotional state worse for a while—for several sessions. Then, with organization and work on the related thoughts and resulting behaviors, gradual long-term improvement occurs.
Also, changing daily habits and fixed, repetitive personality patterns requires effort and time—which contradicts the high expectations of some patients—causing them frustration and leading them to judge the therapeutic process prematurely.
Setting realistic expectations, a genuine readiness for change, and commitment to the requirements of therapy are essential keys for the doctor or psychotherapist to succeed in their mission with their patient.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is Painful and Barbaric
A very common belief, unfortunately reinforced by media and drama, is that electroconvulsive therapy sessions are nothing but barbaric and cruel to the psychiatric patient, and that the patient suffers extreme pain during their use.
The truth is that it is one of the most effective treatments in severe cases, with a faster response and milder side effects than psychiatric medications. ECT is used temporarily—the number of sessions is determined by the nature of the illness and the patient’s response—in acute or severe cases as previously explained.
After the condition stabilizes, the patient resumes medication. ECT may be used again during severe episodes. The sessions are never painful because the patient is under anesthesia. If you ask them what happened, they will tell you they don’t remember and didn’t feel a thing.
These are some of the misconceptions I have actually heard from people around me in social and clinical settings. I hope my words contribute to painting a more realistic picture and strengthen the resolve of those hesitant to seek help. Remember, you are not alone, and the first step toward mental well-being begins with seeking support from a professional who understands your unique experiences as a Muslim woman.
Stay well and in good health.
About the Author
Dr. Doaa Abdeldayem is a Dubai Health Authority licensed psychiatrist with eight years of experience in adult, child, and women’s mental health. She specializes in providing faith-based therapy and psychological support guided by the light of Islam. If you are struggling and looking for support from a psychiatrist for Muslim women, you can book a session with Dr. Doaa via WhatsApp at Mishkah Therapy. You can also visit her profile page for more information.