I'm back again.. Not that this increase of frequency of blogging is a sign of a new hobby, but rather the (supposedly) leisure of time that is available during my study break holiday.. I soothe myself by trying to believe that this is one break from continuous study period..
Anyway..
Paranormal Hysteria
'Histeria' is never an odd word, especially coming from a culturally rich Malaysian background.. Unfortunately, for my own background, I have been thrown into the 99%-evidence-based medical world and gladly saying that I am still swimming in this field.. What this means is 'histeria' brings a totally different view..
In cultural Malaysia, 'histeria' is quite a common phenomenon when an individual (or more commonly a group of individual), more often that not a young teenage girl, becomes somewhat emotinally disturbed or mentally shaken that the result is uncontrollable screaming, unconsolable crying and physically agitated.. There are several proposed cause, however, one precedes any other explanation - a paranormal disturbance, namely ghost or bad omen, seeping into the individual and causing physical symptoms.. In more lay wording, 'makhluk halus' (ie. 'soft being')..
Recent occuring in Malaysia happened in a secondary school in Kuantan, Pahang.. I shall not reveal the name of the school for a variety of my own reasons.. Plus this raw discussion is not about the school or personnel involved, but rather a global/universal view of the happening itself.. A total of 35 students have now been the victim of this 'histeria' phenomenon.. The number may still be counting.. Many have been tried to resolve the problem as many are undoubtedly disturbed : The victims, the unaffected students being in the middle of the scene, the parents, the teachers.. The school is no longer a conducive centre for the pupils to study.. The upcoming PMR and SPM general examinations make the tension worse.. Steps including calling upon Islamic scholars to 'deal' these creatures and potentially perform a cleansing exorcism to the place.. Is it possible that maybe we really need a Melinda Gordon equivalent in our own backyard?
As mentioned above, it is not uncommon for the blame is put on the paranormal activities.. In fact, many still believe it is the main cause of it.. A recent poll in a leading Malaysian newspaper revealed 70% of the voters believe that it is the doing of these ghosts.. Only a mere 20% thinks this is due to an emotional stress within the nuclear community of the school..
From a definition perspective, hysteria is a state of mind of unmanageable fear or emotional excess.. The word 'hysteria' itself is derived from a Greek word hystera, meaning uterus.. It is of no wonder that hysteria is more common in women than men.. Fear is often caused by multiple events from one's past and the overwhelming fear causes the individual to lose self control, hence the state of being hysterical.. Many psychiatrists have already given up on the term hysteria and replacing them with synonyms like 'psychosomatic', 'functional psychosis', 'psychogenic', 'non-organic' or 'medically unexplained'.. Indeed, no blood test or brain scan can explain the symptoms of hysteria..
Questions remain : Is this a work of a paranormal being manifesting physically in individuals? Or, is this a truly unexplained 'disease' of the brain?
If you have not noticed, I used the term 'histeria' in the earlier paragraphs but then used 'hysteria' later in the entry.. I believe that the term 'hysteria' does not equate to describe the 'histeria' phenomenon in Malaysia.. The term hysteria is used long since the Greeks were dominant in the ancient world, BUT the definition does not explain the histeria occurrence.. 'Hysteria' is a more 'medical and Western' explanation of so-called disease.. But 'Histeria' is a physical and visible scene.. 'Hysteria' does not specifically include, or concur on, the existence of paranormal involvement causing the physical symptyoms..
It is hard to say if I am a stern believer of such paranormal existence or a modern medical-based thinker totally excluding the possibilities.. Having witnessed a few myself, I can safely say that given the chance of encounter, I can not say that this is all psychotic or psychosomatic in nature.. Indeed, my medical background could not explain this and even worse there is no evidence to base this upon.. But it also hard for me with the medical background to say that this is definitely a paranormal activity in the picture.. Yes, I do believe that there is syaitan (satan) and ruh (spirits) and it is important for a Muslim to believe in the ghaib as clearly mentioned in the Quran.. But I still find the ghosts are of a different category - hard to explain.. I believe that syaitan makes himself physical by attacking the weak, hence the physical symptoms..Clearly, the Holy Quran has given us the great guide on how to see and face this encounters.. The words of the Quran is the best protection, the ablution (wudhu') is a similar protection against syaitan.. It is down to us to practice these and many other simple exercises to stengthen our faith in Allah..
A wise man once said to me : Kalau tak percaya Tuhan, senanglah nak percaya hantu (If you don't believe in God (Allah), then it is easy for you to believe in ghosts).. I thank him for saying that to me..
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
31st August 2008 will mark another remembrance day of our independence.. Much has changed since we declared its independence in 1957, that's 51 years ago..
We have had 4 great Prime Ministers (although none without their turbulent episodes during the time of their reign), massive economic booms and downfalls along the way, political changes and haywires and cultural assimilation and enrichment.. All those made Malaysia a better country, a stronger nation and a place of harmony..
I am writing a small segment in this entry purely to wish all Malaysians a Happy Celebration of the country's 51st independence.. I will write again sometime of what this celebration means to me.. But for now, just sit back and relax.. Enjoy the fireworks and parade and remember the pride of being a Malaysian..
Till we meet again..
Salam..
No comments:
Post a Comment