Mystical and mythological believes not only limited to psychiatric diseases? A dynamic overview of medicine

Abstract

The concept of supernatural forces has always been part of medicine and allied science. These beliefs play a pivotal role in the patient-healthcare bond and disease awareness. Traditionally it was believed that psychiatric illnesses are mostly linked with mythologies and paranormal beings since most mental diseases appear to be lunatic and have no rational ground. Paradoxical to this conventional belief we discovered that mythological beliefs have penetrated all fields of medicine. Porphyria, hepatomegaly presenting with photosensitivity, are associated with "vampirism." Similarly, holoprosencephaly, a congenital anomaly presenting facial deformity is thought to be cyclops folktales. Epilepsy though is simply a neurologic illness believed to be "demonic possession." Patients of pellagra, a deficiency of vitamin B3 are thought to be werewolves. Thus, we found the presence of mythological association in all types of illnesses. We expect our healthcare infrastructure to not limit their management to counseling patients suffering from psychiatric illnesses only.

Keywords: Mystical belief; Myths; Psychiatric diseases; Vampirism.