Page 56 - JCBP-2-1

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Re-examining PTSD: Insights from Ghanaian culture

Ghana, whereas the remaining participants were traders case, my husband was owing the person and because they
in their localities. All eight participants selected for this had argument about the differences, the person got angry
study demonstrated high knowledge of normed practices and said “asaase yaa” [, a curse originating in] his hometown
within their cultural contexts and responded to questions [to] deal with my husband. My husband didn’t take any
from a cultural viewpoint. Two of these participants were action and here we are with his demise.”
gatekeepers of two of the local communities from where
they were recruited, and they assisted with participant 3.3. Spiritual interpretations of symptoms of PTSD
selection within their communities. As part of the interpretations, all 20 participants believed
The results of the study provide insight into the that their symptoms had spiritual connotations. One
sociocultural perceptions of and responses to PTSD that participant said, “Evils can cause some of these problems.
were shared by the participants during the interviews and The evil spirit can still haunt you in your sleep and still make
focus group discussions. Participants for the interviews you fear [for driving] car again, you think it is a joke? These
had experienced events such as the death of a loved one, evil spirits exist oo……. My fear for sitting in a car again was
maiming from vehicular accidents and terminal illness. too much and also seeing accidents in my dreams makes me
Participants seemed to believe in herbal and spiritual unable to sleep well.”
approaches in treating the symptoms of PTSD even though One participant said, “I knew my wife’s illness is all
they were also seeing psychiatrists and psychologists in the spiritual. As long as the events were caused by spirits, they
hospitals from where they were recruited. don’t leave you until you get help to uproot the spirits totally…
Themes generated from the interview data centered I am sad I did not go for help early to cure my wife so it
on (i) spiritual interpretations of the traumatic event, (ii) makes me sad and I have sleepless nights and bad dreams as
spiritual interpretations of symptoms of PTSD, (iii) spiritual if some people are chasing [after] me.”
responses to symptoms of PTSD, and (iv) herbal responses 3.4. Spiritual responses to symptoms of PTSD
to symptoms of PTSD.
Prayers and rituals were found as subthemes for responses
3.2. Spiritual interpretations of the traumatic event to symptoms. Praying to a higher deity (God or Allah)
The subthemes generated for spiritual interpretations were was identified as a response to symptoms of PTSD. Ritual
evil spirits and curses. Almost all participants seemed to performance by traditional healers was also a response
believe that evil spirits were behind the traumatic event. given by two participants. Participants’ narratives suggested
Participants explained that these spirits have powers that symptoms with spiritual underpinnings could be
superseding the understanding and control of humans and battled through communication with supernatural forces,
manipulate human destiny. One participant revealed that thus alleviating symptoms associated with PTSD. These
“My car accident for example is clearly caused by evil spirits beliefs were present in the narratives provided by three
because the other driver and I could see each other from the participants:
long distance… Evil spirits exist and you know they have “… I prayed [several times] in my room and sometimes
powers stronger than humans’. When they set out to cause went to church to tell God about what I was going
you harm, who can we blame this on?” through and this helped me to sleep well and also have
better dreams.”
Another respondent said, “My wife’s death is the work “My fear for sitting in a car again was too much and
of the evil spirit. We have these spirits around us and they also seeing accidents in my dream was horrible so I was
are so strong that they can cause danger to anyone. How in the mosque almost every day to pray to Allah. In fact,
can someone who just had her meal together with family praying is something I do every day and especially when
in the evening and had a nice chat before going to bed be I have problems so this is how I was able to gather the
pronounced dead on arrival after a rapid admission to the courage to sit in vehicles again.”
hospital because of cough and headache?” “After the death of my daughter, I was informed that the

In addition, participants mentioned curses as another spirit of the sea was at work so I had to visit a traditional
cause of traumatic events. Some participants believed that healer to pour libation to pacify the god of the sea and
when people are involved in a misunderstanding, one ask our ancestors to protect my family from untimely
person could invoke curses by pleading with deities (gods death.”
of the sea or land) to inflict pain and trauma on the other
person. An account provided by a participant was “You see, 3.5. Herbal responses to symptoms of PTSD
our tongue is powerful and when you curse someone, it will The use of herbs was also a common response among all
happen if the person doesn’t do anything about it. For my 20 interview participants. Particularly, the use of the plant

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.1260