Study: 1% of Moroccans Affected by Schizophrenia, Many Seek Traditional Healers

Moroccans suffering from schizophrenia are the prototype of the patient who is unaware of his illness. Instead of getting treatment in psychiatric hospitals, they turn to fqihs and charlatans because they attribute the disease to witchcraft, reports the newspaper Al Ahdath Al Maghribia.

Indeed, 25% of families of patients think that this pathology is related to witchcraft and 75% of families of patients have no knowledge of this disease. As a result, 70% of those affected have consulted traditional healers, herbalists, fqihs and charlatans.

To reverse the trend, 11% of the families surveyed propose that schizophrenics be hospitalized.

"Schizophrenia has a serious impact on the lives of patients who therefore need support to reintegrate into social life. In Morocco, families are the first to be able to support patients. That’s why they need to be involved in the care of patients, to help them understand the difficulties and problems related to schizophrenia," said psychoanalyst Hachem Tyal.

In this sense, an international psychoeducation program, ProFamille, will be welcomed in the coming days, in Morocco.