Traditional health practitioners' understanding of spirit possession in Gauteng province, South Africa.
Health SA = SA Gesondheid January 1, 2024 Ellen M Thobakgale, Roinah Ngunyulu, Mavis Mulaudzi 5 citations
Traditional health practitioners in South Africa view spirit possession as a spiritual illness, an ancestral calling, or demonic spirit or witchcraft, not as mental illness. In-depth interviews with 12 practitioners in Gauteng province revealed that their understanding could support mental health by providing culturally appropriate care and referrals to mental health services. The study suggests that not all manifestations resembling mental illness are clear-cut psychiatric disorders; some may be cultural or religious conditions needing cultural and religious responses.