Facing Up to ‘Gandhi Syndrome’

Published January 26, 1984. Like many other couples, Susan and I went to see the movie “Gandhi.” It is the story of Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian statesman. Millions remember him as a kind and gentle man, even a saint.

Yet, there is another aspect of Gandhi’s life that is generally unknown. In many ways, he was directly responsible for the death of his beloved wife.

The Gandhis were married at age 13, a marriage that was arranged by their parents. They later had four children. At one point in their marriage, Mrs. Gandhi became seriously ill. The doctors diagnosed an infection that was rapidly spreading in her body. Antibiotics were available, and preparations were made for the necessary treatment.

At that point, however, Gandhi intervened. He believed that the physical body took responsibility for its own healing. No alien materials from the outside should be allowed to invade it. Mahatma Gandhi seriously believed that medications in the form of injections were taboo, so he would not give his permission for the treatment.

Personal friends, family, and physicians all pleaded and even argued with Gandhi, but he would not yield. For him, a vital principle was at stake. That principle was that no outside help was supposedly necessary, no matter how great the need, when self-healing was possible. This philosophy might be called “The Gandhi Syndrome.”

The doctors stood by with the syringe ready, waiting only for the nod of approval from Gandhi. Maybe in time her body would have naturally healed. But it did not. The infection spread, and she died.

Gandhi’s belief that the human body was self-healing was sincere. But it was also erroneous. Help, and possible recovery, was available, but, because of his belief, he was willing to allow his wife to suffer.

Is there a similarity of the Gandhi Syndrome in contemporary times? I think so. We frequently read of individuals who refuse medical treatment for various reasons. But the same is also true in regard to mental health. Many mistakenly believe that mental problems or conditions are always self-healing.

On this very matter, I recently had an interesting conversation with one of my students. She was concerned not only about the physical health of her mother, but her mother’s mental health as well. In fact, she believed that her mother’s physical health was deteriorating because of mental depression. My young student was even fearful that her mother was near the point of harming herself and could even take her own life.

I asked my student if they had sought professional help. She said her father was apprehensive about “allowing” his wife to seek help for depression. He thought it was a sign of weakness or “not lying right,” and would affect this standing as a leader in his civic and church groups.

The husband, you see, was one of those who believed that mental problems, in time, are self-healing. Even through outside professional help was nearby and available, he was willing to allow his wife to suffer.

There are professionals today who try to heal the mind as well as the body. They are aware of their limitations and know they cannot cure everything. But with their specialized training, they can and do help many individuals.

Perhaps the husband and Gandhi were correct in believing that some physical and mental impairments are, in time, self-healing.

But many are not, and they are often fatal.