Psychosis - another reason to be anti-theist

[watchamadoodle]

Here are some links to some studies on psychosis. Psychosis is a common problem for people. I've heard it is more common that diabetes. There is evidence that being religious makes psychosis worse.

In 2009, I started hearing a cruel voice that would wake me up from sleep. I was mostly an atheist, but I hadn't debunked Christianity yet. So (in the back of my mind) I started worrying about demons. A few months later, I had a mental breakdown with daily hallucinations and paranoia. I joined a church and gave away most of my savings.

So now in 2015, I am starting to hear a cruel voice again, but because I know about psychosis and I have debunked Christianity, there is no worry. I know it's a hallucination. I worry about having psychosis again, but I don't worry about demons or God. It's a lot better IMO.

So that's another reason to promote atheism - it reduces psychosis.

The lifetime prevalence of all psychotic disorders was 3.06% and rose to 3.48% when register diagnoses of the nonresponder group were included. Lifetime prevalences were as follows: 0.87% for schizophrenia, 0.32% for schizoaffective disorder, 0.07% for schizophreniform disorder, 0.18% for delusional disorder, 0.24% for bipolar I disorder, 0.35% for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, 0.42% for substance-induced psychotic disorders, and 0.21% for psychotic disorders due to a general medical condition.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199051

The influence of religious activity on the severity of religious delusions is unclear. This study examined whether Catholic and Protestant patients experienced more religious delusions than non-religiously affiliated patients. We also explored whether the severity of religious delusions, according to the Religious Delusions item on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), was associated with the amount of religious activity. The Protestants experienced more religious delusions than Catholics and those without religious affiliation. Although when the groups were combined, patients who were more religiously active experienced more severe religious delusions (n=133), there was no difference in the severity of religious delusions across the non-religious, Catholic and Protestant groups. Religious affiliation may influence the frequency of religious delusions, particularly in Protestant individuals, but religious affiliation appears to be independent of religious delusion severity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11472793

[abaris]

The question here seem to be, what came first, the chicken or the egg?

I can imagine psychotic people joining a church because of attributing strange mind events to the voice of god.

[watchamadoodle]

The question here seem to be, what came first, the chicken or the egg?

I can imagine psychotic people joining a church because of attributing strange mind events to the voice of god.

Yep. I suspect it might be a feedback loop. The hallucinations make the person confused and afraid. The confusion makes the person look for explanations - even bizarre explanations. That creates delusional thoughts and paranoia. The paranoia makes it hard to sleep and increases the hallucinations. Then religion is like putting gas on the fire.

That's why it will be good when most people are atheists IMO. (Of course there are lots of other reasons too like the hatred of gays and lesbians, the restrictions of free speech and education, the beheadings, etc.)

[robvalue]

Yeah, totally agree, this is a big issue. If someone says they're hearing voices, you get them some help. If they say they're hearing some religious bullshit, you have to pretend like that's OK, or even a good thing.

It's easy to see how it can mask real mental illness.

[watchamadoodle]

Yeah, totally agree, this is a big issue. If someone says they're hearing voices, you get them some help. If they say they're hearing some religious bullshit, you have to pretend like that's OK, or even a good thing.

It's easy to see how it can mask real mental illness.

That's a good point. If friends and family are religious, then they are less likely to help that person get psychiatric help. They might first try prayer, faith healers, and so forth. Many Christians consider psychiatrists to be anti-Christian, so they prefer to go to unlicensed Christian counselors.

I also think religions plant the seeds of fear and superstition that lay dormant until psychosis makes them grow. I hate when I see Christians discussing Luciferian conspiracies, demons, etc. I suppose there are all kinds of delusions that a psychotic person might develop, but let's not seed all our minds with fear-mongering nonsense.

Here is an interesting article discussing the problems of religion and psychosis:

But do religious beliefs help or hinder those with delusions?
...
She found that religious nature of their delusions did help some patients to cope. For some, who believed they were being persecuted demons, belief in their god or guardian angel gave them comfort and strength to deal with their condition.
...
For one patient, who believed he was being controlled by supernatural entities, turning to his priest helped them to understand that his delusion was an illness.
...
However for most patients (55%, in fact), the religious component of their delusions actually made their condition more serious.
...
Patients with delusions – and especially those with religious delusions – tended also to be more religious than those. And this is where their real problems begin.
...
These patients also are more likely to find that their religion brings them into conflict with psychiatrists and others who are trying to provide mental health support. In fact, one in four of them have come to believe that their religion does not allow them to take antipsychotic medication.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/epiphenom/2...gious.html

[comet]

Here are some links to some studies on psychosis. Psychosis is a common problem for people. I've heard it is more common that diabetes. There is evidence that being religious makes psychosis worse.

In 2009, I started hearing a cruel voice that would wake me up from sleep. I was mostly an atheist, but I hadn't debunked Christianity yet. So (in the back of my mind) I started worrying about demons. A few months later, I had a mental breakdown with daily hallucinations and paranoia. I joined a church and gave away most of my savings.

So now in 2015, I am starting to hear a cruel voice again, but because I know about psychosis and I have debunked Christianity, there is no worry. I know it's a hallucination. I worry about having psychosis again, but I don't worry about demons or God. It's a lot better IMO.

So that's another reason to promote atheism - it reduces psychosis.

The lifetime prevalence of all psychotic disorders was 3.06% and rose to 3.48% when register diagnoses of the nonresponder group were included. Lifetime prevalences were as follows: 0.87% for schizophrenia, 0.32% for schizoaffective disorder, 0.07% for schizophreniform disorder, 0.18% for delusional disorder, 0.24% for bipolar I disorder, 0.35% for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, 0.42% for substance-induced psychotic disorders, and 0.21% for psychotic disorders due to a general medical condition.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17199051

The influence of religious activity on the severity of religious delusions is unclear. This study examined whether Catholic and Protestant patients experienced more religious delusions than non-religiously affiliated patients. We also explored whether the severity of religious delusions, according to the Religious Delusions item on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), was associated with the amount of religious activity. The Protestants experienced more religious delusions than Catholics and those without religious affiliation. Although when the groups were combined, patients who were more religiously active experienced more severe religious delusions (n=133), there was no difference in the severity of religious delusions across the non-religious, Catholic and Protestant groups. Religious affiliation may influence the frequency of religious delusions, particularly in Protestant individuals, but religious affiliation appears to be independent of religious delusion severity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11472793

what pychosis is caused by religion?
wow didnt know that. lucky Ima atheist.

[watchamadoodle]

what pychosis is caused by religion?
wow didnt know that. lucky Ima atheist.

That's an interesting question - is psychosis caused by religion? Obviously psychosis would happen without religion, but I think religion makes it worse in many ways.
But you are right to point-out that there is more to psychosis than religion. (I think that's what you mean. )

[dyresand]

Lets take a look into jesus land i mean texass sorry texas
http://www.khou.com/story/news/crime/201.../24268567/

[psychoslice]

Anyone can be psychotic if they have a mental illness, religious, atheist or whoever, sounds silly to me.

[watchamadoodle]

Anyone can be psychotic if they have a mental illness, religious, atheist or whoever, sounds silly to me.

That is true, but IMO if the person understands psychosis and is more skeptical, then his/her case of psychosis might not grow out of control. Also, it surely if the friends and family encourage the person to get psychiatric help instead of prayers, etc.

I know you are right. When I had psychosis, I considered myself to be an atheist. I just feel much better. I think if I have psychosis again, I will not be as delusional, because I am more atheist and know about psychosis. Maybe I'm kidding myself.