"Mental Illness in the Islamic World" with Amir Afkhami | MEF Podcast Ep. #359

Mental illness in the Islamic world is often perceived differently than in the West. Spiritual healing, jinn possession, and communal stigma shape responses to psychological distress, sometimes sidelining medical intervention. At the same time, untreated mental illness, social isolation, and identity crises can make individuals more vulnerable to radical interpretations of Islam. Contrary to popular belief, radicalization is rarely a product of poverty alone—it is often fueled by personal instability, disillusionment, and a search for purpose. How does mental illness manifest in Muslim-majority societies? Why do some individuals turn to extremist ideologies, while others do not? And how do these cultural frameworks compare to Western approaches to psychiatric care?

Amir A. Afkhami, M.D, Ph.D., is vice chair for clinical affairs and director of medical student education at George Washington University’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and interim medical director of psychiatric services at George Washington University Hospital. A distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and an internationally recognized expert in psychiatry, medical education, and public health policy, he advises U.S. federal agencies and Congress on mental health programs and serves on nonprofit boards like Woodley House. He holds an M.A., an M.Phil, and a Ph.D. from Yale University and an M.D. from George Washington University