ABA and Arab Muslims Treatment

            Arabs Muslims’ way of treatment greatly depends on the provider's knowledge of  these people’s  historical roots ( Western  colonization, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the attempt of the white colonization in a whole); the majority of this population usually don’t fully believe Western providers, if not only for the cases of emergency. So, white providers should be aware of this culture’s peculations, and to show empathy and awareness while dealing with Arab Muslim patients.

            1.Communication with the patient within a group of his countrymen is the right way to success because most of the Arab Muslim are immigrants and their homesick feelings (such as guilt, frustration, loss of relatives and friends) greatly influence the provider/ patient relationship.

2. Arab Muslims’ way of health -help seeking differs greatly from the white patients. Most likely this group of people’s physiological distress is usually accompanied by somatic complaints.

3. A successful provider should always keep in mind that Arab Muslims are not mentally obsessed, they pay most of their attention to a healthy body, as the basis for a long healthy life.  Psychological problems are known not to tell anyone, even to the relatives, while if they feel they have body problems, they usually seek a physician’s help. Arab Muslims are sure that if he/she is physically healthy he/she, will, without any doubt, will be healthy mentally.

4. Many Arab Muslims think of mental illnesses as the result of “evil eye,” that is why instead of applying to a psychiatrist, they prefer to seek help from folk healers.

5. Providers working with Arab Muslim population should never judge these people’s cultural beliefs and traditions, on the contrary, they should be maximum understanding and open while providing health care to both young and old generations, despite their different opinions concerning their culture.

6. Gender roles is also an overly sensitive problem with Arab Muslims; males play the main role in the family, while women are considered as consumers. That is why if the care provider will manage to win respect from the male, the head of the family, then the therapy process will be successful.