Abstract
Poole and Higgo's strongly worded opinion piece deserves a thoughtful response. This paper presents some background to the formation and activities of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group, together with opinions of the author based on the idea that a new holistic or “psycho-spiritual” paradigm has been under development since the 1980s, extending beyond psychology and psychiatry into the workplace and elsewhere. The new paradigm acknowledges that faith development continues throughout life, and explains why at some stages people find change particularly challenging. A drive to conform is opposed by a drive to be independent. The author concludes that it is important to discuss spirituality with people (including patients). It is also right to seek both scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom.
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