Clinical features of pathological pseudoreligiosity in patients with mental disorders

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IntroductionThe term pathological pseudoreligiosity (PPR) has been chosen for description of mental disorders with religious content (MDRC), accompanied with distortion of acceptance and assimilation of religious convictions, and with significant changes in patient’s religious behavior and way of life.ObjectivesTo assess the entire spectrum of mental pathology with religious content and relate it to the depth of mental disorder.Methods857 patients (300 males, 557 females), with religious worldview and mental disorders were observed with psychopathological and follow-up methods.ResultsThe pathological pseudoreligiosity was detected in 326 patients – 38%. Follow-up period estimated mean 9,5 years. Next mental disorders with religious content were identified and described. Specific PPR types were correlated with register of the depth of mental disorder (K. Schneider):Types of PPRPtsThe register of mental disordersToxic faith61,8%Personality disordersAnorexia due to overvalued religious convictions123,7%Neurotic registerDepressive with congruent religious ideas of sinfulness, feeling of being abandoned by God6319,3%Affective registerDepressive states with overvalued doubts of belief choice.113,4%Overvalued religious behavior134%Affective-delusional Delusion of spiritual hypochondria72,2%DelusionalEschatological delusion216,4%Anorexia in the form of delusional behavior with religious contents113,4%Hallucinatory-delusional Apocalyptic delusion329,8%Religious delusion13842,3%Religious standing, stiffening, mutism41,2%CatatonicFragmentary religious ideas82,5%OrganicConclusionsManagement and treatment of patients suffering from MDRC with pathological pseudoreligiosity requires a particular approach. The consideration must be given to religious content of mental disorders and to clinical specifics of these disorders.DisclosureNo significant relationships.