Page 57 - JCBP-2-1

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

M. charantia was essential to healing among the participants are typically people who attribute mental illness to lesser
from the southern part of Ghana (i.e., Akan, Ga, and Ewe). spirits that are evil. Furthermore, participants emphasized
Participants referred the plant to as “Nyannya,” “Nyanyra,” that these spiritual forces possess powers beyond human
and “Kakla” in their local languages. The plant is also control, which shaped their interpretation of traumatic
known with a local name “Morri” – which is literally events and their consequences . Our study showed
[18]
translated as “grass” or “herbs” – among the Muslims for that interpersonal conflicts, such as those instigated by
treating the symptoms of PTSD. All participants expressed enemies or rivals, can create opportunities for curses
that these plants are associated with spirits; therefore, it is to manifest, potentially leading to mental illness. These
vital to resort to using these herbs in the treatment since further exemplified how interpersonal conflicts contribute
their symptoms have spiritual connotations. to traumatic experiences.
One participant indicated that “I knew those bad Furthermore, regarding the PTSD symptoms, all
dreams and fear were all spiritual so I consulted a healer participants perceived symptoms as manifestations of evil
who performed some rituals for me [at] night and also asked spirit affliction. This reflects the tendencies in Ghanaian
me to put the “Nyanyra” in [bath] water and [take] bath at culture to view mental distress through a spiritual lens [12,17] ,
night.” highlighting the traditional perception of mental illness.
Participant 4 also responded that “Mostly when the Several studies have established an important framework
event is traumatic, you are given a leaf called ‘Morri’ which under which the symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and
you will drink and put some in your water to bath. When distressing thoughts are attributed to the influence of evil
you do that, it drives all the evil spirits away. All I did was spirits. Given the significant influence of cultural aspect in
to go to the traditional healer [who] did certain rituals and the treatment of mental illnesses, incorporating approaches
also gave me the “morri.” I could sleep and do my usual job tailored to patients’ spiritual beliefs as part of the therapeutic
after using the herbs.” management of PTSD symptoms should be taken into
consideration, given the cultural context of Ghana.
Table 2 depicts the summarized main findings of this
study. The preferred responses to PTSD symptoms are spiritual
and herbal approaches. According to participants, praying
4. Discussion to a higher deity, such as God and Allah, was a means of

The study reveals the influential role of spiritual and herbal seeking relief. Furthermore, traditional healers were also
constructs in shaping cultural interpretations of trauma sought for performing rituals and obtaining specific herbs.
and preferred PTSD treatment in Ghana. The present study The herbs were specifically picked by the traditional healers
explored the perceived causes, symptoms, and preferred who were perceived to have spiritual connections with
responses to PTSD among individuals in the Ghanaian the plants and could, therefore, determine which plant
cultural context. The findings highlight the sociocultural was useful to drive evil spirits away. The herbal responses
interpretations of traumatic events and responses to PTSD, were culturally grounded, with the plant M. charantia
focusing on the influence of spiritual and herbal factors. playing a significant role in healing. M. charantia has
[19]
been proven to be effective in treating depression . The
The study revealed that participants attributed involvement of traditional healers in prescribing herbs
traumatic events to spiritual causes, specifically evil spirits demonstrates that participants strongly believe that the
and curses. This finding aligns with the previous studies herbs picked by herbalist are strong enough to heal them,
in Ghana indicating the huge implication of treating further accentuating the significance of cultural practices
supernatural forces as the cause of mental illnesses, and the integration of spiritual and medicinal elements in
including PTSD [12,17] . These studies found that Ghanaians addressing PTSD symptoms .
[20]
Table 2. Summary of main findings These findings emphasize the significance of culturally
informed approaches to treating mental illnesses in
Theme Subthemes Ghana. At present, Western medical models dominate
Spiritual interpretations of the traumatic event Evil spirits Curses the etiological explanations and treatment approaches for
Spiritual interpretations of the symptoms of PTSD Evil spirits PTSD worldwide . However, this study revealed that such
[11]
Spiritual responses to symptoms of PTSD Prayers Rituals approaches may not fully resonate with the cultural beliefs
Herbal responses to symptoms to PTSD M. charantia and and individual interpretations in Ghana. Consequently,
other herbs neglecting culturally informed perceptions and treatment
Abbreviations: PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder; M. charantia: options may lead to a disconnect between health-care
Momordica charantia providers and the local population, potentially hindering

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.1260