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What three roles can religion play in relation to mental health?

1. Source of psychological disorders

2. Symptom of existing disorders

3. Buffer (protective factor) or suppressor

How does depression affect religiosity?

• Depressed people have fewer religious experiences

• Severe depression weakens belief in eternal life and support from faith

• Religious guilt is not the main theme — guilt is usually directed toward loved ones or humanity

What did Wu, Wang & Jia’s meta-analysis find?

• Religiosity offers moderate protection against suicide

• Protective effect is significant in Western cultures, but not in Eastern cultures

• Stronger in denominationally homogeneous societies

Are religious delusions common in schizophrenia?

• Most delusions are not religious, but religious content is relatively common

• Religious delusions often involve damnation, possession, or being chosen by God

• Often preceded by a sudden interest in religion

• More common in patients from religious families

What religious themes appear in OCD and other neuroses?

• OCD: religious obsessions, fear of violating norms

• Depressive neuroses: fear of punishment

• Anxiety disorders: fear of people, dirt, contact (often tied to religious ritual themes)

• In deeply religious people, these symptoms are more likely to take religious forms

What is an ecclesiogenic neurosis?

A neurosis caused by religious dogmatism, especially tied to strict Christian teachings.

What areas are most affected?

Sexuality — guilt, shame, and repression due to restrictive teachings.

What are causes of ecclesiogenic neurosis?

• Neurotic guilt in religious context

• Despair from religious perfectionism

• “Worm theology” (focus on sin, unworthiness)

• Lack of community support

• Religious sexism

How is it treated ethically?

• Separate religious conflict from internal conflict

• Work with God-image, not against the religion

• Never invalidate the patient’s faith

How is anorexia linked to religion?

• In history: women fasted/starved for spiritual reasons

• Today: anorexia may still be tied to teachings that demonize the body

• Religious anorexia is confirmed by the success of pastoral/spiritual therapy

How does religiosity affect substance use?

• Addicts are 2x more common among non-religious people

• Parental religiosity delays first use

• Internalized faith = less alcohol, drugs, and medication use

• Denomination does not matter

• Personality traits have a stronger influence

• In stressful situations, religiosity protects against substance use

What religious and secular influences shaped AA?

• Religious: The Oxford Group (confession, God, repentance)

• Secular:

  • Jung: spiritual transformation

  • James: practical effects, non-directive therapy

What is the AA approach?

• No blame, but personal responsibility

• Addicts seek help from a Higher Power and each other

• Focus on support, honesty, and faith

AA’s 12 Steps vs. Humanist 12 Steps (Skinner)

• AA: emphasizes God and spiritual awakening

• Humanist: emphasizes peer support and personal effort, without religious language

Why is diagnosing religious pathologies challenging?

• It’s hard to define the “norm” in religious life

• Different religions have different practices, values, and boundaries

What are the official diagnoses related to religiosity?

• ICD-10 F44.3: Trance & Possession (only if unwanted and not culturally normal)

• DSM V62.89: Religious/spiritual problems (e.g., crisis of faith, difficulty integrating spirituality)

What contributes to pathological religiosity?

• Personality disorders

• Negative life experiences

• Poor religious education

• Cultural influences:

  • Secularization

  • Conformism

  • Superstition

What are common cognitive distortions?

• Delusions

• Magical thinking

• Fatalism

• Fanaticism

• Thoughtlessness

• Rationalization

What emotional issues are signs of pathological religiosity?

• Excessive guilt

• Fear, phobias, anxiety

• Sadness, depression

• Anger at God

• Artificial euphoria or ecstasy

• Helplessness

What behaviors indicate religious pathology?

• Religious compulsions

• Hyperactive rituals

• Exaggerated behaviors

• Escaping life through religion

• Suddenly quitting all religious practices

• Religious narcissism or individualism

What are group forms of religious pathology?

• Religious rigorism in families

• Indifference to religion

• Privatized religiosity (no community life)

• Sectarian mentality

• Ritualism

• Obsessive focus on details

• Hermetic communities (closed off, isolated)