A PSYCHIATRIC STUDY OF PATIENTS ATTENDING MEHANDIPUR BALAJI TEMPLE
D. C. Satija, D. Singh, S. S. Nathawat, V. Sharma
Indian Journal of Psychiatry July 1, 1981
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Visitors to the Mehandipur Balaji shrine in Rajasthan, India |
| Key findings | Among 100 randomly selected visitors to a Rajasthan shrine, neurotic disorders were most common (48%), followed by psychotic disorders (28%), and trance states occurred only among neurotic patients. Failure of modern treatment and influence of family and friends were the main motivations for seeking shrine-based care, and about one quarter of patients, mainly psychoneurotic, showed improvement. |
Abstract
SUMMARY In the present study 100 cases, randomly selected were studied at famous shrine of Rajasthan, the Mehandipur Balaji. As regards the sociodemographic variables, patients were mainly between 15-39 years of age, 80% were educated, 82% had Urban domicile, 98% were Hindus and Females were 54%. Majority of the visitors being from Northern part of India. Failure of modern treatment and influence of family members and friends were the main motivating factors. Majority of patients were Neurotic (48%), followed by Psychotics (28%). Patients who developed trance (possession) were Neurotics. One quarter of the patients who were mainly psychoneurotics, showed improvement.