the role of faith and religious beliefs in healing physical and emotional disorders

regarding the utilization of cultural and religious beliefs in the treatment of physical and mental disorders, this article presents the cases of 3 iranian psychiatric patients with severe physical and mental symptoms, preceded by a long history of different psychiatric treatments. these cases illustrate that bu relying on patients religious beliefs and faith, the therapist can increase his / her self esteem and confidence, relieve anxiety, enhance coping mechanisms and cure physical as well as emotional symptoms.