Psychiatric disorders in clergymen in psychiatric care

Abstract

One hundred and seven clergymen hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic, Modum Bads Nervesanatorium, during the period 1958–89 were compared with a sample of 149 physicians hospitalized during the same period. Clergymen seemed to be hospitalized relatively more often than physicians, and the rate of admission during the period had increased more for clergymen than for physicians. The clergymen were on the whole younger than the physicians and less often separated or divorced. In both groups, depressive disorders were most frequent. However, the clinical problem was more often identified as basically a family problem among the clergymen (25%) than among the physicians (8%), who more often had substance abuse (35%) as their main problem. The unstructured working situation and long unregular working hours, and the associated high demands made on the spouses and family members, represent the major problems for clergymen. To prevent mental problems among clergymen, more emphasis should be put on the role of the family and administrative functions with regard to the work situation, which may reduce the strain on their marriages. As a rule of thumb, clinicians treating clergymen should always include the spouse in their assessment and treatment.