Spiritual practices in psychiatry and mental health in Nepal: An interpretive study.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: Spiritually is a globally acknowledged concept and importance of spiritual practice in mental health is being accepted by the medical system. In Nepal, spiritually is practiced in informal sectors outside the health care system. In such context, the research aims to explore the understanding and use of spiritual practices in mental health from the perspectives of psychiatrists and spiritual practitioners. In doing so, I employed the qualitative interpretative methods and procedures in order to explore and interpret perceptions and experiences of psychiatrists and spiritual practitioners. I interviewed and observed psychiatrists and spiritual practitioners during my research process, I processed interview notes with reflective writing to analyze data and meaning making process. The study explored that mental health was related with positive thinking, good behaving and contribution to the society as well as capacity of taking good decision on right time. The psychiatrists also experienced difficulties to rupture the notion of mental health in the community. They believed that usage of modern medical science is the effective methods of the treatment. However, they also recognized the spiritual practices were better for the prevention of mental illness and promotion of mental health rather than the treatment and cure of mental disorder. The psychiatrists revealed that there were no any disadvantages of practicing spiritually in order to increase positive thinking and mental peace which substantially contributes to be mentally healthy. The uses of spiritual practice brought positive influence especially on neurotic disorders rather than severe type of psychotic disorders. The spiritual practitioners believed that the mental disorder was related to human mind and soul, rather than physical human body. Spiritual practitioners believed that negative thinking, unmanaged life style and over ambition could lead to mental problems. My study concluded that the psychiatrists and spiritual practitioners had different understanding on mental health, the causes and treatment system of mental disorder. However, the research concludes that fusion of modern medical science and spiritual practices helped to bring the positive result in the treatment and cure system of mental health. psychiatrists focused mostly on biological treatment or pharmacotherapy whereas spiritual practitioners mostly focused on psychological method of treatment system. Both perspectives acknowledge the roles of spirituality in mental health, but spiritual practice in mental health care system is not sufficiently recognized by the psychiatric community in Nepal. Blending both approaches gives effective result to understand and practice the mental health in the society.