Belief in Transmigration of the Soul and Psychopathology in Israeli Druze

Abstract

One of the central tenets of the Druze religion is the transmigration of the soul. In rare cases this belief may be related to psychopathology or cause a temporary inability to function normally. We report on 5 Druze patients whose preoccupation with transmigration was the basis of their pathological behavior. These cases illustrate the interaction between cultural and religious beliefs, and psychopathology, and emphasize the importance of employing a culture-specific psychiatric approach in the management of this type of patients.