ABSTRACT
Psychiatry and spirituality are closely tied together in the palliative care context. This chapter addresses a number of issues related to spiritual aspects of death and dying: the difference between religion and spirituality, spiritual distress and its psychiatric repercussions, the assessment of spiritual coping strategies and the role of religious professionals in the management of spiritual distress in the palliative care setting. It emphasises that it is incumbent upon all health professionals to assess spiritual distress and coping and to be aware of the resources available to manage this. The emerging literature suggests that aspects of religion/spirituality may provide effective coping strategies for dealing with the symptoms of life-threatening and terminal illness. The experience of spirituality is different for each individual, and it is discussed and displayed differently between cultures. The emerging literature suggests that aspects of religion/spirituality may provide effective coping strategies for dealing with the symptoms of life-threatening and terminal illness.
