Psychopathology and religion in the era of 'enlightened science'

Journal/Book: Eur J Psychiat. 1997; 11: PO Box 6029, 50080 Saragoose, Spain. European Journal of Psychiatry. 14-20.

Abstract: In contrast to interpretations of psychiatric disorders as religious-metaphysical in the early 19th century, S. Freud described religion as a compulsion neurosis of mankind. This extreme tradition was relativized and the importance of religion demonstrated in several studies. However, in contest with psychiatry religion is mainly describe in pathological terms depicting religion as indicative of illness. Even the guidelines of the DSM-III-R classification system might, according to the literature tend towards this position. The difficulties and errors that can occur are demonstrated in two cases, one showing 'usual' pathological religious behaviour, The other pointing out the importance of an individual religious history. In accordanace to others, guidelines for a semi-standardized anamnesis of religious characteristics were compiles using a two axes model. Adding a religious anamnesis to the description of personality could help to evaluate its importance for the individual person and to prevent misinterpretation.

Note: Article May CA, Univ Erlangen Nurnberg, Psychiat Klin & Poliklin, Anat Inst 2, Univ Str 19, D-91054 Erlangen, GERMANY

Keyword(s): religion; psychopathology; guidelines; anamnesis

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