Final answer:
During the Middle Ages, European views on mental illness were heavily influenced by Christianity, leading to treatments like exorcism or persecution. In the Arab world, under Islamic influence, there was a greater focus on compassion and care, with advanced treatments including the establishment of the first psychiatric hospitals. The understanding and treatment in both cultures were shaped by their distinct cultural and religious beliefs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Middle Ages Views on Mental Illness in Europe and the Arab World:
The treatment and understanding of mental illness during the Middle Ages in Europe and the Arab world reflected broader cultural and religious beliefs. For Europe, the Middle Ages were a time when religious explanations for mental illness predominated, and treatments could range from prayer to exorcism. In some cases, those deemed mentally ill were subjected to harsh treatments or even persecution, as it was a common belief that they might be possessed by evil spirits or under the influence of witchcraft. These perspectives were influenced by the Christian worldviews prevalent at the time.
In contrast, the Arab world, influenced by Islamic teachings, tended to approach mental illness with a mix of religious and philosophical understanding. The attitudes toward mentally ill individuals were somewhat more accepting, focusing on care and compassion, as is evidenced by the existence of the first psychiatric hospitals in the Arab world around the early medieval period. Islamic medical texts describe a variety of conditions that we would now recognize as psychological disorders and suggest treatments ranging from diet, rest, and drug therapies to music and occupational therapies.
A key difference between the two regions was the degree of stigmatization and social integration. While both societies struggled with fear and misunderstanding of mental illness, the Arab world showed a greater inclination towards integration and care within the community, in line with the teachings of Islam that encouraged treatment of the sick, regardless of the nature of the illness.
Both European and Arab societies were limited by the lack of scientific understanding of disease and the nature of mental health disorders. However, their approaches were deeply rooted in cultural and religious contexts that shaped their views and treatment of mental illnesses. This demonstrates how ethnomedicine and the broader socio-cultural environment influence the perception and management of mental health conditions.