ABSTRACT

Psychiatry and Religion: Context, Consensus and Controversies works to eradicate the distinction between spiritual and psychological welfare and promote greater understanding of the relationship between the two.

This book brings together chapters from fifteen mental health practitioners and pastoral workers to explore what their different philosophies have to offer the individuals in their care. As well as all the major world religions, the text also provides detailed information about newer religions and the significance of their belief systems for mental health management. The book examines the positive and negative effects that strict moral codes and religious rituals can produce and shows how awareness of these effects is crucial to the treatment of these patients.

This classic edition of Psychiatry and Religion, with a new introduction from Dinesh Bhugra, will continue to provide an important resource to practicing and training psychiatrists.

part I

Introduction and history

chapter 1|4 pages

Religion and mental health

chapter 2|18 pages

Religion and psychiatry

Extending the limits of tolerance

chapter 3|25 pages

Religion and madness in history

part II|106 pages

Religions: East and West

chapter 4|14 pages

Christianity and psychiatry

chapter 5|17 pages

‘The cracked crucible’

Judaism and mental health

chapter 7|15 pages

Hinduism and Ayurveda

Implications for managing mental health

chapter 9|13 pages

New religions and mental health

chapter 10|17 pages

Islamic communities and mental health

part III|78 pages

Psychopathology, psychiatry and religion

chapter 11|10 pages

Psychiatry and religion

A general psychiatrist’s perspective

chapter 13|20 pages

Psychopathology, embodiment and religious innovation

An historical instance

chapter 14|16 pages

Guilt, religion and ritual

chapter 15|16 pages

Mental illness or life crisis?

A Christian pastoral counselling contribution

chapter |3 pages

Conclusions

Religion, mental illness and mental health – the way forward