Function and meaning in religious delusions: a theoretical discussion from a case study

Abstract

Religious delusion complexes (RDC) are phenomena sometimes experienced by people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The prevalence of this type of delusion varies according to area, culture and religious practice. Religious delusions have been associated to worse responses to treatment and worsening psychopathological conditions. However, religious beliefs and practices have also been described as factors of protection. Religious delusions are multidimensional phenomena within a continuous dimension with normality. This study uses a qualitative methodology to analyse an RDC in situ during a narrative interview with a person with paranoid schizophrenia. On the basis of this analysis we suggest that the functions and meanings of religious beliefs within the patient's narrative and cultural context require analysis before they can be categorised as delusive.

Keywords:

• delusion
• religion
• narrative
• psychosis
• identity