athensmentalhealth.org Blog

“If placebo can help depression, then, anything given with the patient knowing it will help them, is likely to work.”

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a scientifically well-established and effective treatment for depression.

Cognitive therapy seeks to help people change how they think about things. Unlike more traditional forms of therapy, it focuses on the “here and now” problems and difficulties.

How effective is Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression?

Numerous clinical studies throughout the world have consistently demonstrated that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication in the treatment of major depression9-11.

Within 20 sessions of individual therapy, approximately 75% of patients experience a significant decrease in their symptoms. The combination of cognitive therapy with medication, in some studies, increases the efficacy to 85%. Moreover, most patients in cognitive therapy maintain their improved mood on follow-up two years later. This advantage of “maintaining gains” is due to the fact that in cognitive therapy the patient should not only reduce his symptoms, but he should learn to understand the distortions in thinking and behavior which are associated with the depression and learn self-help rather than dependence.

User ratings and reviews of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression on Revolution Health

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reviews on PsychCentral.com

2. St John’s wort

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used for the treatment of depression. It is a reasonable choice for patients who prefer natural medicines over standard antidepressants. St John’s wort is available in tablets, capsules and liquid form from supermarkets and health food shops.

Research suggests that St. John’s wort exerts its antidepressant action by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

How effective is St John’s wort for depression?

There is good evidence that St John’s wort improves symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

Numerous double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have examined the effectiveness of St. John’s wort for the treatment of mild to moderate major depression, and most have found the herb more effective than placebo2.

St John’s wort can be at least as effective as paroxetine (Paxil) in the treatment of moderate to severe depression in the short-term3.

User ratings and reviews of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) for Depression on Revolution Health

3. S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

Another potential alternative antidepressant is S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe). SAMe is an amino acid derivative that occurs naturally in all cells.

SAMe plays a role in many biological reactions by transferring its methyl group to DNA, proteins, phospholipids and biogenic amines. This could result in SAMe indirectly influencing neurotransmitter metabolism and receptor function.

How effective is S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for depression?

Several scientific studies indicate that SAMe may be useful in the treatment of depression4. However, it is not clear exactly how SAMe works to relieve depression.

4. Light Therapy

For years, light therapy has been used to treat seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that afflicts about one in 10 people who live in places with short winter days and extended darkness.

A lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition. Light therapy helps to regulate the body’s internal clock (sleep-wake cycles) in the same way that sunlight does.

How effective is Light therapy for depression?

Light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder and it may reduce the symptoms of non-seasonal depression12. Research suggests that some women who suffer from antepartum or postpartum depression may benefit from light therapy as well13.

Overall, the effectiveness of light therapy for depression depends on a number of things, including the type of depression, the brightness of the light, the duration of light exposure, and other factors.

5. Exercise

Exercise is an effective antidepressant. Exercise has the extra benefit of improving physical functioning as well.

Researchers have found that regular exercise, and the increase in physical fitness that results, alters serotonin levels in the brain and leads to improved mood and feelings of wellbeing. Some research indicates that regular exercise boosts body temperature, which may ease depression by influencing the brain chemicals.

How effective is Exercise for depression?

There is increasingly strong evidence for its use as a treatment for depression.

Study after study has shown that exercise promotes mental health and reduces symptoms of depression17-19. The antidepressant effect of regular physical exercise is comparable to the potent antidepressants like Sertraline18.

6. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and tryptophan are also natural alternatives to traditional antidepressants

When the body sets about manufacturing serotonin, it first makes 5-HTP. The theory behind taking 5-HTP as a supplement is that providing the one-step-removed raw ingredient might raise serotonin levels.

How effective is 5-HTP for depression?

The evidence suggests 5-HTP and tryptophan are better than placebo at alleviating depression8.

7. Massage

Massage is one of the oldest of health practices, found in ancient Chinese medical texts written some 4,000 years ago. It has been practiced as a healing therapy for centuries in nearly every culture around the world.

One of the best-known benefits of massage therapy is its ability to enhance feelings of well-being. Massage produces chemical changes in the brain that result in a feeling of relaxation, calm and well-being. It also reduces levels of stress hormones – such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine – which in some people can trigger depression.

How effective is Massage for depression?

Massage therapy loweres levels of stress hormone cortisol by average 30%. Massage also increases serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that help reduce depression20.

Massage therapy may be quite beneficial for pregnant women suffering from depression21.

8. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese treatment in which needles are inserted at specific points in the body and either manipulated or electrically stimulated (electroacupuncture).

Research suggests that acupuncture can decrease or eliminate the symptoms of depression. The main benefit of acupuncture is the absence of side effects which come along with chemical drugs.

How effective is Acupuncture for depression?

Evidence for acupuncture’s effectiveness for depression has been mixed.

In a study of 151 depressed patients, twelve sessions of acupuncture failed to prove more effective than fake acupuncture15. In a mathematical review of the results of 8 randomized trials1, the impact of acupuncture on depression was unconvincing.

Another 2008 review of 8 small-randomized controlled trials supported that acupuncture could significantly reduce the severity of disease in the patients with depression16.

User ratings and reviews of Acupuncture for Depression on Revolution Health

9. Yoga & Meditation

Yoga is an ancient system of relaxation, exercise, and healing with origins in Indian philosophy.

Practicing yoga can alter your brain chemistry. Some yoga positions are effective in stimulating the release of endorphins and reducing the level of stress hormon cortisol.

How effective is Yoga for depression?

Several human studies support the use of yoga for depression in both children and adults22-23. In addition, yoga postures have been specifically shown to increase levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which may alleviate depression24.

10. B Vitamins

B vitamins play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions.

However, the results of the recent 2008 Australian study showed that treatment with vitamin B12, folic acid, and B6 is no better than placebo in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms over a period of 2 years in older men6.

Folate

Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Folic acid deficiency has also been linked to a poor response to antidepressant medication.

Recent UK study suggests that lower blood folate levels may be a consequence rather than a cause of depressive symptoms7.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin and L-tyrosine to norepinephrine. Consequently, vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression.

Vitamin B12

There is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12. It’s possible that vitamin B12 is needed to manufacture substances called monoamines. Another theory is that vitamin B12 deficiency results in the buildup of the amino acid homocysteine, which may enhance depression.

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in December 2002 reported that older adults with vitamin B-12 deficiency were more likely to have depressive symptoms than those who were not deficient in vitamin B125.

References

1. Wang H, Qi H, Wang BS, Cui YY, Zhu L, Rong ZX, Chen HZ. Is acupuncture beneficial in depression: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials? J Affect Disord. 2008 Dec;111(2-3):125-34. Epub 2008 Jun 11. PubMed

2. St John’s wort for major depression. Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD000448. Review. PubMed

3. St John’s wort versus paroxetine for depression. Jurcic J, Pereira JA, Kavanaugh D. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Sep;53(9):1511-3. PubMed

4. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) as treatment for depression: a systematic review. Williams AL, Girard C, Jui D, Sabina A, Katz DL. Clin Invest Med. 2005 Jun;28(3):132-9. Review. PubMed

5. Vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine in depression: the Rotterdam Study. Tiemeier H, van Tuijl HR, Hofman A, Meijer J, Kiliaan AJ, Breteler MM. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2002 Dec;159(12):2099-101.

6. Vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid for onset of depressive symptoms in older men: results from a 2-year placebo-controlled randomized trial. Ford AH, Flicker L, Thomas J, Norman P, Jamrozik K, Almeida OP. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008 Aug;69(8):1203-9. PubMed

7. Kendrick T, Dunn N, Robinson S, Oestmann A, Godfrey K, Cooper C, Inskip H; Southampton Women’s Survey Study Group. A longitudinal study of blood folate levels and depressive symptoms among young women in the Southampton Women’s Survey. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2008 Nov;62(11):966-72.

8. Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan for depression. Shaw K, Turner J, Del Mar C. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(1):CD003198. Review.

9. Hollon SD, DeRubeis RJ, Shelton RC, Amsterdam JD, Salomon RM, O’Reardon JP, Lovett ML, Young PR, Haman KL, Freeman BB, Gallop R. Prevention of relapse following cognitive therapy vs medications in moderate to severe depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Apr;62(4):417-22.

10. Melvin GA, Tonge BJ, King NJ, Heyne D, Gordon MS, Klimkeit E. A comparison of cognitive-behavioral therapy, sertraline, and their combination for adolescent depression. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 Oct;45(10):1151-61. PubMed

11. DeRubeis RJ, Gelfand LA, Tang TZ, Simons AD. Medications versus cognitive behavior therapy for severely depressed outpatients: mega-analysis of four randomized comparisons. Am J Psychiatry. 1999 Jul;156(7):1007-13.

12. Tuunainen A, Kripke DF, Endo T. Light therapy for non-seasonal depression. Cochrane Database Syst Reviews. 2004;(2):CD004050.

13. Morning light therapy for postpartum depression. Corral M, Wardrop AA, Zhang H, Grewal AK, Patton S. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2007;10(5):221-4. Epub 2007 Aug 16.

14. Systematic evaluation of therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture for treatment of depression. Wang L, Sun DW, Zou W, Zhang JY. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2008 May;28(5):381-6. Chinese. PubMed

15. Allen JJ, Schnyer RN, Chambers AS, et al. Acupuncture for depression: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006;67:1665-1673.

16. Wang H, Qi H, Wang BS, Cui YY, Zhu L, Rong ZX, Chen HZ. Is acupuncture beneficial in depression: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials? J Affect Disord. 2008 Dec;111(2-3):125-34. Epub 2008 Jun 11. PubMed

17. Blumenthal JA, Babyak MA, Doraiswamy PM, Watkins L, Hoffman BM, Barbour KA, Herman S, Craighead WE, Brosse AL, Waugh R, Hinderliter A, Sherwood A. Exercise and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Psychosomatic Medicine 2007 Sep-Oct;69(7):587-96. Epub 2007 Sep 10.

18. Brenes GA, Williamson JD, Messier SP, Rejeski WJ, Pahor M, Ip E, Penninx BW. Treatment of minor depression in older adults: a pilot study comparing sertraline and exercise. Aging Ment Health. 2007 Jan;11(1):61-8. PubMed

19. Knubben K, Reischies FM, Adli M, Schlattmann P, Bauer M, Dimeo F. A randomised, controlled study on the effects of a short-term endurance training programme in patients with major depression. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2007 Jan;41(1):29-33. Epub 2006 Oct 24.

20. Field T, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy. Int J Neurosci. 2005 Oct;115(10):1397-413. PubMed

21. Field T, Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C.Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2004 Jun;25(2):115-22. PubMed

22. Kozasa EH, Santos RF, Rueda AD, Benedito-Silva AA, De Ornellas FL, Leite JR. Evaluation of Siddha Samadhi Yoga for anxiety and depression symptoms: a preliminary study. Psychol Rep. 2008 Aug;103(1):271-4. PubMed

23. Shapiro D, Cook IA, Davydov DM, Ottaviani C, Leuchter AF, Abrams M. Yoga as a Complementary Treatment of Depression: Effects of Traits and Moods on Treatment Outcome. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 Dec;4(4):493-502.

24. Streeter CC, Jensen JE, Perlmutter RM, Cabral HJ, Tian H, Terhune DB, Ciraulo DA, Renshaw PF. Yoga Asana sessions increase brain GABA levels: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2007 May;13(4):419-26.

Eddie Whitlock
Executive Director
Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia
April 2, 2009

As executive director of Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia, I spend a lot of time talking to people about the issue of mental illness.
The typical conversation begins with my telling the person my title and then having the question come back, “But what do you do?”
Telling the person I work to meet the goals of the organization doesn’t mean much. I have to explain that we do three things: education, service, and advocacy. Advocacy is usually done with state legislators, though it sometimes involves more localized, specific work, such as speaking with hospital officials about psychiatric care for the community.
As for service, we offer a weekly Social Club, which has been led and coordinated by Jim Parker for about 28 years. We are currently looking at diversifying the activities of the Social Club. I’ve put out an appeal via our blog, soliciting support from community groups.
It is education that is the broadest of my goals. I speak to community groups, church congregations, students, businesses and others about mental health and mental illness. We developed a booklet on how to get help for a family member or friend with a mental illness; we have spent a good deal of time in the past month getting those out.
The main point I would like to get across to our members is this: You are our organization. All that we do depends on you.
Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia is made up of more than 100 members who care about the issue of mental health and support the organization’s work in addressing the issue.
Someday we will have a world in which mental illness is not stigmatizing. We will have a world where those with mental illness get the help that they need. We will have a world where good mental health is supported by government and culture.
Let’s all work together to reach that day.

14 States Improve Grades; 12 Fall Backwards

Washington, DC — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has released a new report, Grading the States 2009, assessing the nation’s public mental health care system for adults and finding that the national average grade is a D.

Fourteen states improved their grades since NAMI’s last report card three years ago. Twelve states fell backwards.

Oklahoma showed the greatest improvement in the nation, rising from a D to a B. South Carolina fell the farthest, from a B to a D. However, the report comes at a time when state budget cuts are threatening mental health care overall.

“Mental health care in America is in crisis,” said NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. “Even states that have worked hard to build life-saving, recovery-oriented systems of care stand to see their progress wiped out.”

See the complete state chart and report at Grading the States 2009 Online
“Ironically, state budget cuts occur during a time of economic crisis when mental heath services are needed even more urgently than before. It is a vicious cycle that can lead to ruin. States need to move forward, not retreat.”

This is the second report NAMI has published to measure progress in transforming what a presidential commission on mental health called “a system in shambles.”

NAMI’s grades for 2009 include six Bs, 18 Cs, 21 Ds and six Fs, based on 65 specific criteria such as access to medicine, housing, family education, and support for National Guard members.

“Too many people living with mental illness end up hospitalized, on the street, in jail or dead,” Fitzpatrick said. “We need governors and legislators willing to make investments in change.”

In 2006, the national average was D. Three years later, it has not budged.

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

Chronic Depression May Run in Families
Finding May Help in Search for Depression Genes
By Miranda Hitti

WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDSept. 8, 2006 — The family tree may hold clues about the roots of chronic depression.

A study in The American Journal of Psychiatry shows that chronic depression may be apt to strike more than once in an immediate family.

The study looked at 638 people who developed major depression before age 31 and 1,085 of their relatives — parents and siblings who had also had an episode of major depression.

The researchers found that the parents and siblings were two and one-half times more likely to have chronic depression if their family member had also had chronic depression, rather than recurrent depression.

They also found that the relatives studied were six times more likely to have chronic depression if their family member had become chronically depressed by age 13.

Chronic depression, which accounts for a “large minority” of those with depression, was defined as being depressed “most or all of the time since the illness [depression] first started,” says researcher James Potash, MD, MPH. Potash is associate professor of psychiatry and co-director of the mood and disorders program in Johns Hopkins University’s psychiatry department.

The Genetic Connection
Remember, relatives who had never been depressed weren’t included in the study. So the odds cited don’t apply to the entire family.

“If somebody said, ‘Well, I’ve got three brothers. And one of them has depression, and two of them are the healthiest people you’ve ever seen,’ we didn’t try to interview the healthiest people you’ve ever seen,” Potash says.

“So we don’t actually know for sure how many unaffected relatives there actually are,” he says. Genetics and environment are probably both involved in depression, and it’s not clear how they interact.

“We know there is a genetic aspect to it,” Potash says.

“We’re not at the point yet where we’ve been able to nail down which genes are involved, but that’s what we’re working hard at in this next phase of the study.”

More Research Needed
Potash encourages people to consider taking part in depression research.

“Certainly, one of things that people can do to make a difference is to participate in research,” he says. “Because this study and others like it are the things that are ultimately going to lead to better treatments.”

Depression is “the fourth most disabling illness in the world, but we understand remarkably little about what causes it or how it unfolds in the brain,” he says. Potash says the disease is “one of the most important public health issues.”

Not Just About Feeling Sad
Potash points out that depression can show itself in several ways.

“Everybody knows about feeling sad and crying,” he says.

“People may be a little less aware of the fact that one of the cardinal symptoms of depression can be, rather than sadness, a sense of emptiness or numbness, a kind of lack of feeling anything,” Potash says.

“Another thing we see often in these patients is a chronic sense of being inadequate, chronically low level of confidence or self-esteem,” he notes.

“Other important symptoms include disrupted sleep [and] low energy,” Potash says.

Depression can often be treated, so it’s important to seek help.
View Article Sources

SOURCES: Mondimore, F. The American Journal of Psychiatry, September 2006; vol 163: pp 1-7. James Potash, MD, MPH, associate professor of psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; co-director, Johns Hopkins Mood Disorders Center.

Dementia

Dementia is a decline in mental ability which affects memory, thinking, problem-solving, concentration and perception.

Dementia occurs as a result of the death of brain cells or damage in parts of the brain that deal with our thought processes.

What is dementia?

What causes dementia?

Is there a cure?

Can dementia be prevented?

Help for carers

What is dementia?

Dementia is a decline in mental ability which affects memory, thinking, problem-solving, concentration and perception. Some forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are degenerative i.e. they get worse over time. Other forms of dementia, such as vascular dementia, may be non-degenerative i.e. they may not get worse over time.

People with dementia can become confused, leading to restless or repetitive behaviour, which can be very distressing for everyone concerned. They may also seem irritable, tearful or agitated. They may also develop other problems such as depression, disturbed sleep, aggression, inappropriate sexual behaviour and incontinence.

Dementia is almost invariably a disease of ageing. About 1 in 20 people over the age of 65 are affected, and 1 in 5 people over the age of 80. Dementia in people under 65 is known as early onset or pre-senile dementia and is rare, affecting under 1 in 1000.

What causes dementia?

Dementia occurs as a result of the death of brain cells or damage in parts of the brain that deal with our thought processes. This may follow other problems like:

lack of blood/oxygen supply to these brain areas

head injury e.g. from boxing or whip lash after a car crash

pressure on the brain e.g. from a tumour

hydrocephalus (fluid build-up between the brain and the brain lining)

neurological disease e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeld Jakob disease (CJD)

infection e.g. AIDS

vitamin deficiency

a long period of excessive alcohol intake

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. We do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease but we do know that ageing seems to be a factor. The second most common type of dementia is vascular or multi-infarct dementia. This occurs as a result of lack of blood and oxygen to the brain in a series of tiny ’strokes’.

Back to the top

Is there a cure?

Unfortunately, most types of dementia cannot be cured. The exceptions are those dementias related to vitamin deficiency (which can be treated with supplements) and head injury (which can be treated through surgery).

Anti-dementia drugs, such as Aricept and Reminyl, may be given to alleviate the symptoms of dementia but they cannot cure it. Medical researchers are currently looking at other medical treatments including anti-oxidants, brain stem cell therapy and a vaccination to stop the build up of plaques in the brain (a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease).

Alternative therapies i.e. non-medical interventions such as music therapy, aromatherapy and reminiscence therapy can be of benefit too.

Can dementia be prevented?

There are no guaranteed ways of preventing dementia, but you may find it helpful to follow a sensible diet and pursue a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical exercise and supplements like Gingko Biloba can help to ensure that there is always a good supply of blood to the brain. Please consult your GP before taking such medication. You can also help yourself by keeping your mind active, for example by doing crosswords or puzzles.

Help for carers

If you are looking after someone with dementia you may be entitled to specialist help. You can find out details of local support services from your local council or GP or from the nearest Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Social services are responsible for providing a range of help but the help you actually get will depend on your personal circumstances. Some social services provide more help than others and you may have to pay for some of the services such as home helps or meals-on-wheels. Local authorities do not have a legal obligation to provide care at home if this would cost more than residential or nursing care.

If you are out during the day you may want to think about using a day centre. These provide care and activities (such as reminiscence therapy) for people with dementia. They are run by local health authorities, social services, voluntary organisations and some nursing and residential homes. Transport to them is often provided.

You may also need to consider residential or nursing care for the person you are looking after. As a carer you are not immune from illness or accidents and you need to plan for the future.

Residential homes provide meals and activities and help residents with washing, dressing, baths etc. However, people with dementia who also have physical problems or whose behaviour cannot be managed by non-professional staff will need the care offered in a nursing home. How much you pay for residential care will depend on your situation and varies from area to area.

You also need to think about your own needs. Looking after someone with dementia can be emotionally and physically exhausting, especially if you are on your own. You will need practical and emotional support for yourself as well as regular breaks and holidays. You may want to think about respite care, when the person you care for goes to stay in a hospital or care home for a short while, perhaps a few days or weeks. Alternatively you may be able to arrange for an alternative carer to come and stay in your house while you are away.

Mental Health and Religion
by Michael E. Nielsen, PhD

© 1998 Michael Nielsen

There is much that has been said about the connection(s) between religion and mental health. As you might imagine, the picture isn’t simple, and any snapshot is likely to be incomplete. I am still working on a more complete description of the relationship between mental health and religion, and will post it in the future. Until then, I thought that you might be interested in reading this question that was referred to me from a reader of The Wounded Healer. I am on its advisory board, which fields questions related to psychology and mental health.
Here’s the question: “Why do people with schizophrenia in some cases have a religious theme to their delusional belief system?”

And here’s my response:

Schizophrenia is a set of very dramatic disorders which sometimes involve vivid delusional systems. Consequently, some schizophrenics “see” or “hear” things that no one else sees or hears. People who have schizophrenia may believe that they are deity figures, or they may claim some special ability to communicate with deity. Why might this be?

I, for one, would be surprised if schizophrenic delusions never involved religious themes. Religion is a part of life–a part that is quite important to many people–and it only seems reasonable to expect delusions to sometimes involve religion. So, for example, some people’s delusions involve the belief that they are Jesus Christ, while others may believe that they are some great sports figure. Wouldn’t it be odd if delusions didn’t involve important aspects of life?

Still, there is evidence that some religious groups may have a higher incidence of schizophrenia than do other groups. Researchers have reported that Jehovah’s Witnesses have a somewhat higher rate of schizophrenia, and that the disorder is more common among cloistered nuns than among active nuns. There may be something about the structured lifestyle provided by conservative religions, or the life of contemplation and reflection found in a cloistered life, that appeals to the person whose sense of reality differs from that of people not affected by schizophrenia.

Although psychodynamic explanations of religious delusions may appeal to some people, I find other explanations more convincing. Current research on schizophrenia points to biological factors playing an important role in the disorder. Heredity, biochemistry, and neurophysiological & neuroanatomical factors distinguish schizophrenic people from other people. These biological factors may be facilitated by environmental conditions, such as trauma experienced while a child, to “bring out” the schizophrenia.

So, I lean toward the view that the person whose schizophrenic delusions include religious imagery is simply using religion as an expression of the altered reality. This is actually a sensible thing to do, given the nature of religious experiences. However desirable they may be, religious visions and feelings of contact with the divine are very private events. If I have a religious experience, I may try to convey that experience to you but any description I offer is unlikely to give you the same sense of awe and wonder that I myself experienced. The ineffable quality of religious experiences renders them intensely personal and private. Little wonder, then, that an individual whose sense of reality is somewhat different from other people’s may turn to religious modes of expressing that reality.

Why do people with schizophrenia sometimes have religious delusions? My response would be “Why not?” Religious imagery offers a way for schizophrenics to express their delusions in a way that is socially acceptable. The problem begins with physiological factors, facilitated by traumatic life events, and results in vivid delusional systems.

If you are interested in learning more about religion and mental health, I strongly recommend you look at the contemporary books listed on my resources page. I haven’t seen anything of much value on the ‘net, so your best bet is to look at more traditional sources. I do plan to get more written on this (and the other unfinished subjects on my page) as soon as I can, but it is going to be several months before I get these sections completed. (After all, I can’t spend all my time at the keyboard, can I? There are laughs to have with my family, kites to fly, volleyballs to dig, and other joys in life!)