Science conference shows ‘Abu Ali Sina’

An Iranian short animation on one of the earliest examples of drama-therapy by Iranian scholar Avicenna has been shown at the World Alliance of Dramatherapy (WADth).

The animated movie, produced by the Iranian Psychodrama and Drama Therapy Association, was screened during the first seasonal conference on January 22.

The conference was held with the participation of representatives from Greece, South Africa, Kenya, Australia, Argentina, the UK, the US, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, South Korea, India, and Iran.

Inspired by a book by Persian poet Nezami Aruzi, the animation was written by Majid Amraee, the chairman of the Iranian Psychodrama and Drama Therapy Association and representative of Iran at the WADth.

Directed by Javad Miraqazadeh, the animation shows the eminent Persian physician and philosopher Avicenna making use of the earliest examples of drama-therapy in treatment of psychosis.

Avicenna repeatedly joins the patient in his delusion by assuming a complementary role within the client’s frame of reference resulting in a positive outcome.

As a dazzling example of Avicenna’s individualized and patient-centered approach to a psychotic patient, he uses psychological therapy as well as biological treatment, most likely, camphor, used in Europe until the 1940s.

Avicenna met Prince Abu Taleb Rostam, son of Queen Sayeddah of Ray, Iran as a patient around 1014 or 1015.

Prince Abu Taleb Rostam was about 21 when he had experienced this episode of melancholy; a severe psychotic depression or schizophrenia-spectrum disorder. Evidence suggests that prince Abu Taleb was captured by one of the most powerful rulers of the region, Sultan Mahmoud Ghaznavi in 1029 and sent to Ghazna where he passed away.

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