Pilot Study of Faith Healers' Views on the Evil Eye, Jinn Possession, and Magic in Saudi Arabia

Background. In Saudi Arabia, faith healers (FHs) mostly offer non-specific, religious-based therapies to their clients, who present with an array of physical and psychological symptoms suggestive of what FHs classify as the evil eye, “jinn” possession, and magical spells. Objective. This exploratory pilot study aims to analyze the pattern of narrated symptoms and treatments used by faith healers practicing in the Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, with an emphasis on determining whether the symptom patterns fit into a classification system related to the evil eye, jinn possession, and magical spells. Method. Forty-five faith healers who agreed to participate in this study were given a self-administered, semistructured questionnaire for collecting the relevant data. Results. Most faith healers highlighted a relatively small number of psychiatric symptoms reported by their clients; the pattern of these symptoms could not specifically differentiate the three spiritual disorders. FHs tended to recommend an array of therapies rooted in religious concepts for the treatment of their clients, who, they claimed, showed substantial improvements thereafter. Conclusion. While the symptomatology of each spiritual disorder was not specific, the classification system helped the faith healers determine treatment methods. Future studies should systematically examine the diagnostic and treatment methods of these healers using a larger number of subjects from other provinces of the country.