Spirituality's dimensions in psychosis

Although both World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) have underlined the importance of analyzing the dimension of spirituality and religiousness in psychiatric patients, this concern has not corresponded to an effective increase in studies on this topic. A large amount of research has been conducted concerning the role of religiousness as a coping mechanism, showing it may have a positive influence over schizophrenic patients and their relatives. Concerning the difference between religiousness delusion and beliefs, and the more difficult distinction between psychotic and mystical state, several criteria have been individualised. The most important are: the presence of mental illness in other areas of the individual's life and the residual symptoms after the experience. Comparing religiousness delusion to other types of delusions appears to be associated with a longer duration of untreated psychosis, worse outcomes and a more severe course of illness. It is of great importance to understand and deal with these topics during clinical practice either when religion is the theme of delusion or it represents an important area of patients' life.