Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Where hyenas are used to treat mental illness
BBC News Magazine ^ | October 16, 2013 | Richard Hopper

Posted on 10/22/2013 9:27:25 AM PDT by heartwood

The scenario is familiar in Somalia. A man has become possessed by spirits and the only option for his family is to restrain him and call the sheikh. But as the young man protests, a voice that challenges Somali tradition booms out.....

"There is a belief in my country that hyenas can see everything including the evil spirits people think cause mental illness," says Hab. "So in Mogadishu, you will find hyenas that have been brought from the bush and families will pay £350 ($560) to have their loved one locked in the room overnight with the animal."

The expensive treatment - more than the average annual wage - is as brutal as it sounds. By clawing and biting at the patient, the hyena is thought to force the evil spirit out. Patients, including young children, have been known to die during the process....

WHO estimates that one in three Somalis either is or has been affected by mental illness, compared to a global average of one in 10. In parts of the country, where the population has been the most psychologically scarred from decades of conflict, the rate is even higher. Cases of post-traumatic stress disorder are common and the situation is further complicated by widespread substance abuse.

"Khat is a big, big problem," says Hab of the herbal stimulant which has been chewed for centuries in East Africa. Side effects are thought to include anxiety and even psychosis. "We treat them in the hospital and they leave, but then they start eating khat again. Sometimes I see the same patients seven or eight times."

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS:
All cultures are worthy of respect and equally valuable.

Diversity is a strength.

Hyena treatment to be covered under Obamacare as traditional healing.

1 posted on 10/22/2013 9:27:25 AM PDT by heartwood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: heartwood

The Emperor should lead by example, especially when non-traditional treatments like a hyena are chosen.


2 posted on 10/22/2013 9:31:13 AM PDT by A Formerly Proud Canadian (I once was lost but now I'm found; blind but now I see.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

Centuries of this treatment have resulted in a very low rate of genetically-related mental illness, I’m sure...


3 posted on 10/22/2013 9:33:35 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: A Formerly Proud Canadian

The hyena says he ain’t working for the Obamacare reimbursement schedule....


4 posted on 10/22/2013 9:34:30 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

Here is how it works:

You have a relative with their head stuck so far up, that they are a drain on resources.

So, you put them in a room with a hyena. They either pull their head out of wherever, or they die.

No years of psychotherapy or drug abuse “interventions” etc. if you have a shred of sense left, and you want to live, then now’s the time to get it together!


5 posted on 10/22/2013 9:39:46 AM PDT by Darteaus94025 (Phony President)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

“Why the Caged Hyena Laughs”

~Maya Angelou


6 posted on 10/22/2013 9:41:05 AM PDT by Hegemony Cricket (The emperor < still > has no pedigree.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood
Better take here, with commentary.
7 posted on 10/22/2013 9:48:22 AM PDT by heartwood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood
Speaking of hyena treatments - an oldie but goodie:


8 posted on 10/22/2013 9:58:38 AM PDT by Slyfox (Satan's goal is to rub out the image of God he sees in the face of every human.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

Don’t give Obama care any ideas!


9 posted on 10/22/2013 10:08:06 AM PDT by tophat9000 (Are we headed to a Cracker Slacker War?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

Our new health care system......

..Jackoff’s & Jackals


10 posted on 10/22/2013 10:11:15 AM PDT by tophat9000 (Are we headed to a Cracker Slacker War?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

We don’t chain ours to trees.

We are much more humane.

We send ours to Congress.


11 posted on 10/22/2013 10:16:59 AM PDT by ZULU (Impeach that Bastard Barrack Hussein Obama)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood
FYI, Woodie.

The Khat addicted Somalis act crazy a good deal of the time. As the police in Maine are learning:

"If the Somali's teeth be red,
Best shoot the SOB dead.
If they been chewin'
No tellin' what they be doin"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khat‎

12 posted on 10/22/2013 10:39:20 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk ( "Obama, The Movie" Introducing Reggie Love as "Monica! ")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

A pack of hyenas and the democratic caucus.
Might work !


13 posted on 10/22/2013 10:40:06 AM PDT by Vinnie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

I guess being attacked by a laughing hyena is not as funny as it sounds.


14 posted on 10/22/2013 10:45:59 AM PDT by dainbramaged (Joe McCarthy was right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: heartwood
Don't eat the khat.


15 posted on 10/22/2013 11:02:40 AM PDT by bgill (This reply was mined before it was posted.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Darteaus94025

Can I get a hyena here so I can send it to my x-wife?


16 posted on 10/22/2013 11:40:54 AM PDT by Ghost of SVR4 (So many are so hopelessly dependent on the government that they will fight to protect it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: heartwood

There are people out there who would be more disturbed by the question of the welfare of the hyena.


17 posted on 10/22/2013 2:09:09 PM PDT by OldNewYork (Biden '13. Impeach now.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson