The relationship between religion and schizophrenia is of particular interest to psychiatrists because of the similarities between religious experiences and psychotic episodes; religious experiences often involve auditory and/or visual phenomena, and those with schizophrenia commonly report hallucinations and delusions that may resemble the events found within a religious experience.[1] In general, religion has been found to have "both a protective and a risk increasing effect" for schizophrenia.[2]
A common report from those with schizophrenia is some type of religious belief that many medical practitioners consider to be delusional – such as the belief that they are possessed by demons, that a god is talking to them, that they themselves are divine beings, or that they are prophets. [3][4][5] Active and adaptive coping skills in subjects with residual schizophrenia are associated with a sound spiritual, religious, or personal belief system.[6]
Trans-cultural studies have found that such beliefs are much more common in patients who also identify as Christian and/or reside in predominately Christian areas such as Europe or North America.[7][8] By comparison, patients in Japan much more commonly have delusions surrounding matters of shame and slander,[7] and in Pakistan matters of paranoia regarding relatives and neighbors.[8]
Schizophrenia is a complex psychotic disorder in which symptoms include emotional blunting, intellectual deterioration, social isolation, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, and hallucinations. The causes of schizophrenia are unclear, but it seems that genetics play a heavy role, as individuals with a family history are far more likely to suffer from schizophrenia.[9][10] The disorder can be triggered and exacerbated by social and environmental factors, with episodes becoming more apparent in periods of high stress. Neurologists have found that the schizophrenic brain has larger ventricles (fluid-filled cavities) compared to a non-schizophrenic brain. This is hypothesized to be due to loss of nerve cells.[11] Symptoms usually appear around the onset of early adulthood.[9] It is rare for a child to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, in part because of the difficulty in establishing what erroneous thoughts and beliefs can be attributed to childhood development[12] and which thoughts and beliefs can be attributed to schizophrenia. With psychiatric medication (usually antipsychotics) and therapy, individuals with schizophrenia can live successful and productive lives.[13]
Role of religion in schizophrenia treatmentEdit
It has been shown in longitudinal studies that those suffering from schizophrenia have varying degrees of success when religion plays a significant role in their recovery.[14] It would seem that the use of religion can either be a helpful method of coping with the disorder, or it can be a significant hindrance in recovery. Especially for those who are active in a religious community, religion can also be a very valuable tool in coping with the disorder.[15][16] It can be difficult, however, to distinguish if a religious experience is genuine to the spiritual person, or if it is a positive symptom of the illness.[17] This is where a skilled and reliable therapist can help. Provided that a therapist is open to the use of religion in one's treatment, and that the patient is open and receiving said treatment, it is entirely possible to tie religion in with professional therapeutic aids and medication in order to meet a desirable goal. Those who are involved in their church and are spiritual on a daily basis, while getting psychiatric treatment have reported fewer symptoms and a better quality of life. They learn to see their religion as a source of hope rather than a tormenting reality.[18]
Religion as a trigger for schizophreniaEdit
Schizophrenia can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors, including significant stress, intensely emotional situations, and disturbing or uncomfortable experiences. It is possible that religion can sometimes be a trigger for schizophrenia in those who are vulnerable; religious imagery is often very grandiose, and beckons a large personal change within an individual. This could potentially lead to a psychotic episode due to the shift in realistic thinking; a sufferer may believe that they themselves are a deity or messiah. These symptoms may cause violent behavior, either toward others or themselves.[19] In some instances, they may also experience more distress-inducing symptoms if they believe that a god is using their illness as a punishment. The patient may refuse treatment based on religious beliefs; in certain instances, one might believe that their delusions and hallucinations are actually a divine experience, and therefore deny any treatment. [20]
^Murray, ED.; Cunningham MG; Price BH (2012). "The role of psychotic disorders in religious history considered". The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. 24 (4): 410–26. doi:10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11090214. PMID 23224447.
^Gearing, Robin Edward, Dana Alonzo, Alex Smolak, Katie McHugh, Sherelle Harmon, and Susanna Baldwin. "Association of religion with delusions and hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia: Implications for engagement and adherence." Schizophrenia research 126, no. 1 (2011): 150-163.
^Siddle, Ronald; Haddock, Gillian; Tarrier, Nicholas; Faragher, E. Brian (1 March 2002). "Religious delusions in patients admitted to hospital with schizophrenia". Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 37 (3): 130–138. doi:10.1007/s001270200005. PMID 11990010.
^Mohr, Sylvia; Borras, Laurence; Betrisey, Carine; Pierre-Yves, Brandt; Gilliéron, Christiane; Huguelet, Philippe (1 June 2010). "Delusions with Religious Content in Patients with Psychosis: How They Interact with Spiritual Coping". Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes. 73 (2): 158–172. doi:10.1521/psyc.2010.73.2.158. PMID 20557227.
^Siddle, R; Haddock, G; Tarrier, N; Faragher, EB (March 2002). "Religious delusions in patients admitted to hospital with schizophrenia". Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 37 (3): 130–8. doi:10.1007/s001270200005. PMID 11990010.
^Shah, Ruchita, et al. "Relationship between spirituality/religiousness and coping in patients with residual schizophrenia." Quality of Life Research 20.7 (2011): 1053-1060.
^ abTateyama M, Asai M, Hashimoto M, Bartels M, Kasper S (1998). "Transcultural study of schizophrenic delusions. Tokyo versus Vienna and Tübingen (Germany)". Psychopathology. 31 (2): 59–68. doi:10.1159/000029025. PMID 9561549.
^ abStompe T, Friedman A, Ortwein G, Strobl R, Chaudhry HR, Najam N, Chaudhry MR (1999). "Comparison of delusions among schizophrenics in Austria and in Pakistan". Psychopathology. 32 (5): 225–34. doi:10.1159/000029094. PMID 10494061.
^Page, Dan. "UCLA Researchers Map How Schizophrenia Engulfs Teen Brains".
^McLeod, Saul. "Egocentrism". simplepsychology.org. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
^"Grohol, John M., Dr. "Atypical Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia." Psych Central. N.p., 17 July 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2017".
^Mohr, S. (1 November 2006). "Toward an Integration of Spirituality and Religiousness Into the Psychosocial Dimension of Schizophrenia". American Journal of Psychiatry. 163 (11): 1952–1959. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.163.11.1952.
^Danbolt, Lars J. (31 March 2011). "The Personal Significance of Religiousness and Spirituality in Patients With Schizophrenia". International Journal for the Psychology of Religion. 21 (2): 145–158. doi:10.1080/10508619.2011.557009.
^Helman, DS (2018). "Recovery from schizophrenia: An autoethnography". Deviant Behavior. 39 (3): 380–399. doi:10.1080/01639625.2017.1286174.
^Koenig, Harold G. (2007). "Religion, spirituality and psychotic disorders". Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo). 34: 95–104. doi:10.1590/S0101-60832007000700013. ISSN 0101-6083.
^Mohr, S; Huguelet P. "The relationship between schizophrenia and religion and its implications for care" (PDF). Swiss Medical Weekly.
^Mohr, Sylvia; Huguelet, Philippe (2004). "The relationship between schizophrenia and religion and its implications for care". Swiss Medical Weekly. 134: 369–376. CiteSeerX10.1.1.117.217.
^Mohr, Sylvia; Borras, Laurence; Rieben, Isabelle; Betrisey, Carine; Gillieron, Christiane; Brandt, Pierre-Yves; Perroud, Nader; Huguelet, Philippe (11 October 2009). "Evolution of spirituality and religiousness in chronic schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorders: a 3-years follow-up study" (PDF). Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. 45 (11): 1095–1103. doi:10.1007/s00127-009-0151-0. PMID 19821066.
September 02, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Religion and schizophrenia news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message The relationship between religion and schizophrenia is of particular interest to psychiatrists because of the similarities between religious experiences and psychotic episodes religious experiences often involve auditory and or visual phenomena and those with schizophrenia commonly report hallucinations and delusions that may resemble the events found within a religious experience 1 In general religion has been found to have both a protective and a risk increasing effect for schizophrenia 2 A common report from those with schizophrenia is some type of religious belief that many medical practitioners consider to be delusional such as the belief that they are possessed by demons that a god is talking to them that they themselves are divine beings or that they are prophets 3 4 5 Active and adaptive coping skills in subjects with residual schizophrenia are associated with a sound spiritual religious or personal belief system 6 Trans cultural studies have found that such beliefs are much more common in patients who also identify as Christian and or reside in predominately Christian areas such as Europe or North America 7 8 By comparison patients in Japan much more commonly have delusions surrounding matters of shame and slander 7 and in Pakistan matters of paranoia regarding relatives and neighbors 8 Contents 1 Background 2 Role of religion in schizophrenia treatment 3 Religion as a trigger for schizophrenia 4 See also 5 ReferencesBackground EditMain article Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a complex psychotic disorder in which symptoms include emotional blunting intellectual deterioration social isolation disorganized speech and behavior delusions and hallucinations The causes of schizophrenia are unclear but it seems that genetics play a heavy role as individuals with a family history are far more likely to suffer from schizophrenia 9 10 The disorder can be triggered and exacerbated by social and environmental factors with episodes becoming more apparent in periods of high stress Neurologists have found that the schizophrenic brain has larger ventricles fluid filled cavities compared to a non schizophrenic brain This is hypothesized to be due to loss of nerve cells 11 Symptoms usually appear around the onset of early adulthood 9 It is rare for a child to be diagnosed with schizophrenia in part because of the difficulty in establishing what erroneous thoughts and beliefs can be attributed to childhood development 12 and which thoughts and beliefs can be attributed to schizophrenia With psychiatric medication usually antipsychotics and therapy individuals with schizophrenia can live successful and productive lives 13 Role of religion in schizophrenia treatment EditIt has been shown in longitudinal studies that those suffering from schizophrenia have varying degrees of success when religion plays a significant role in their recovery 14 It would seem that the use of religion can either be a helpful method of coping with the disorder or it can be a significant hindrance in recovery Especially for those who are active in a religious community religion can also be a very valuable tool in coping with the disorder 15 16 It can be difficult however to distinguish if a religious experience is genuine to the spiritual person or if it is a positive symptom of the illness 17 This is where a skilled and reliable therapist can help Provided that a therapist is open to the use of religion in one s treatment and that the patient is open and receiving said treatment it is entirely possible to tie religion in with professional therapeutic aids and medication in order to meet a desirable goal Those who are involved in their church and are spiritual on a daily basis while getting psychiatric treatment have reported fewer symptoms and a better quality of life They learn to see their religion as a source of hope rather than a tormenting reality 18 Religion as a trigger for schizophrenia EditSchizophrenia can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors including significant stress intensely emotional situations and disturbing or uncomfortable experiences It is possible that religion can sometimes be a trigger for schizophrenia in those who are vulnerable religious imagery is often very grandiose and beckons a large personal change within an individual This could potentially lead to a psychotic episode due to the shift in realistic thinking a sufferer may believe that they themselves are a deity or messiah These symptoms may cause violent behavior either toward others or themselves 19 In some instances they may also experience more distress inducing symptoms if they believe that a god is using their illness as a punishment The patient may refuse treatment based on religious beliefs in certain instances one might believe that their delusions and hallucinations are actually a divine experience and therefore deny any treatment 20 See also EditGod complex Jerusalem syndrome Mental health of Jesus Messiah complex Paranoid schizophrenia Psychology of religion Religious delusion The Three Christs of Ypsilanti Terry A Davis Evolution of schizophrenia Shamanistic hypothesis References Edit Murray ED Cunningham MG Price BH 2012 The role of psychotic disorders in religious history considered The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 24 4 410 26 doi 10 1176 appi neuropsych 11090214 PMID 23224447 Gearing Robin Edward Dana Alonzo Alex Smolak Katie McHugh Sherelle Harmon and Susanna Baldwin Association of religion with delusions and hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia Implications for engagement and adherence Schizophrenia research 126 no 1 2011 150 163 Siddle Ronald Haddock Gillian Tarrier Nicholas Faragher E Brian 1 March 2002 Religious delusions in patients admitted to hospital with schizophrenia Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 37 3 130 138 doi 10 1007 s001270200005 PMID 11990010 Mohr Sylvia Borras Laurence Betrisey Carine Pierre Yves Brandt Gillieron Christiane Huguelet Philippe 1 June 2010 Delusions with Religious Content in Patients with Psychosis How They Interact with Spiritual Coping Psychiatry Interpersonal and Biological Processes 73 2 158 172 doi 10 1521 psyc 2010 73 2 158 PMID 20557227 Siddle R Haddock G Tarrier N Faragher EB March 2002 Religious delusions in patients admitted to hospital with schizophrenia Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 37 3 130 8 doi 10 1007 s001270200005 PMID 11990010 Shah Ruchita et al Relationship between spirituality religiousness and coping in patients with residual schizophrenia Quality of Life Research 20 7 2011 1053 1060 a b Tateyama M Asai M Hashimoto M Bartels M Kasper S 1998 Transcultural study of schizophrenic delusions Tokyo versus Vienna and Tubingen Germany Psychopathology 31 2 59 68 doi 10 1159 000029025 PMID 9561549 a b Stompe T Friedman A Ortwein G Strobl R Chaudhry HR Najam N Chaudhry MR 1999 Comparison of delusions among schizophrenics in Austria and in Pakistan Psychopathology 32 5 225 34 doi 10 1159 000029094 PMID 10494061 a b van Os J Kapur S 2009 08 22 Schizophrenia Lancet 374 9690 635 45 doi 10 1016 S0140 6736 09 60995 8 PMID 19700006 Picchioni MM Murray RM 2007 07 14 Schizophrenia BMJ Clinical Research Ed 335 7610 91 5 doi 10 1136 bmj 39227 616447 BE PMC 1914490 PMID 17626963 Page Dan UCLA Researchers Map How Schizophrenia Engulfs Teen Brains McLeod Saul Egocentrism simplepsychology org Retrieved April 17 2017 Grohol John M Dr Atypical Antipsychotics for Schizophrenia Psych Central N p 17 July 2016 Web 14 Apr 2017 Mohr S 1 November 2006 Toward an Integration of Spirituality and Religiousness Into the Psychosocial Dimension of Schizophrenia American Journal of Psychiatry 163 11 1952 1959 doi 10 1176 appi ajp 163 11 1952 Danbolt Lars J 31 March 2011 The Personal Significance of Religiousness and Spirituality in Patients With Schizophrenia International Journal for the Psychology of Religion 21 2 145 158 doi 10 1080 10508619 2011 557009 Helman DS 2018 Recovery from schizophrenia An autoethnography Deviant Behavior 39 3 380 399 doi 10 1080 01639625 2017 1286174 Koenig Harold G 2007 Religion spirituality and psychotic disorders Archives of Clinical Psychiatry Sao Paulo 34 95 104 doi 10 1590 S0101 60832007000700013 ISSN 0101 6083 Mohr S Huguelet P The relationship between schizophrenia and religion and its implications for care PDF Swiss Medical Weekly Mohr Sylvia Huguelet Philippe 2004 The relationship between schizophrenia and religion and its implications for care Swiss Medical Weekly 134 369 376 CiteSeerX 10 1 1 117 217 Mohr Sylvia Borras Laurence Rieben Isabelle Betrisey Carine Gillieron Christiane Brandt Pierre Yves Perroud Nader Huguelet Philippe 11 October 2009 Evolution of spirituality and religiousness in chronic schizophrenia or schizo affective disorders a 3 years follow up study PDF Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 45 11 1095 1103 doi 10 1007 s00127 009 0151 0 PMID 19821066 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Religion and schizophrenia amp oldid 1156794962, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
