Delusional Disorder Of A Pingpong Boy And Pingpong Girls

I study at IIUM, and one of the challenges I face is my inability to resist helping my friends who are going through psychological troubles. This inclination towards assisting others came from my involvement with a Dawah organization. I used to engage in conversations with people and identify the errors in their thinking, correcting their misconceptions along the way.

There was this one Malaysian friend of mine who was engaged in a conflict with self-proclaimed intelligent girls promoting Western feminist ideas within the Muslim community. Both the guy and the girls were exceptionally clever, well-versed in English, and skilled in arguments. To be honest, I couldn't fully comprehend their arguments due to my limited proficiency in English and debate skills.

As the years went by, their feud escalated to the point where it reached the High Court of Malaysia. My first challenge arose when the guy contemplated suicide, and I had to provide him with numerous reasons not to go through with it. Once that was resolved, the next hurdle was dealing with his delusional disorder. He began perceiving everyone in the Muslim society as hypocrites, and his behaviour towards Muslim girls became antagonistic.

From my childhood, I was raised to respect women, and I even prioritize their rights. But as I listened to his arguments, I found myself developing a sense of animosity towards the Muslim society and religious women, believing they were hypocrites. However, I eventually came to the realization that this was essentially a Malay vs. Malay conflict. Why should I bother intervening when they themselves are corrupt? Both parties displayed moral corruption. To be frank, I observed that both sides were accustomed to indulging in masturbation, pornography addiction, and engaging in illicit relationships. It was a sickening situation. Why should I concern myself with their case? I noticed the same problems in Bangladesh as well. Why should I care about them? Every time I tried to help, I ended up in trouble myself. I made up my mind to focus on my studies and let them go. This society is deeply sick. There are positive aspects of the world, and I want to live my life adhering to Islam and maintaining a positive lifestyle.

Today, I came across an article that taught me about delusional disorder. It stated:

"The dictionary definition of delusion is 'an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is not in accordance with a generally accepted reality' (Pearsall, 1999, p. 379). According to the official definition of delusions, delusion is a 'false belief based on incorrect inference about external reality that is firmly sustained despite what almost everyone else believes and despite what constitutes incontrovertible and obvious proof or evidence to the contrary. The belief is not ordinarily accepted by other members of the person's culture or subculture.' (American Psychiatric Association, 1994, p. 765). Folie à famille is defined as a Shared Psychotic Disorder (SPD), referring to a condition where all members of a family share delusions (Mirabzadeh et al., 2007). This is an extremely rare condition but one that has been found in many different cultures. The SPD delusional system, at its core, harbours essential delusions, often persecutory and/or grandiose in nature, manifested as part of the sub-cultural contexts, for example, as religious or political beliefs (Goldman, 1995). Usually, the dominant personality in the family first manifests delusions, which then affect the other devoted members. Folie à famille may or may not be part of schizophrenia or a primary delusional Mental Health, Religion & Culture 235 disorder, or mood disorder (Gelder, Gath, Mayou, & Cowen, 1996). Progression of delusional symptoms, for 

example, delusional perceptions or moods, in an established system typically reflect the "dramatic attempt by a family to maintain cohesiveness in the presence of a perceived hostile environment" (Gelder et al., 1996, as cited by Mirabzadeh et al., 2007, p. 46).

Having considered all of this, I have made the decision to focus on leading a simple student life. It is essential for me to prioritize my studies and personal growth rather than getting entangled in the complexities of others' conflicts. While it may be disheartening to witness the societal issues and problems faced by certain individuals, it is crucial for me to recognize that I cannot solve all of them single-handedly. Instead, I choose to embrace positivity, live according to the principles of Islam, and strive towards a fulfilling and meaningful life.

By focusing on my own journey and maintaining a positive mindset, I can contribute positively to society in my own way. It is through personal growth and education that I believe I can make a more significant impact in the long run. As I move forward with this mindset, I remain committed to pursuing knowledge, and understanding, and fostering an environment of positivity and compassion around me.

In conclusion, I have resolved to prioritize my studies and personal growth, acknowledging that I cannot solve all the societal issues that surround me. While it may be disheartening to witness the conflicts and problems faced by others, I choose to focus on my own journey, embracing a positive mindset, and living a life guided by Islamic principles. Through my personal growth and education, I hope to make a meaningful contribution to society and create a positive impact on those around me.