Religiousness and spirituality in patients with bipolar disorder. (2nd October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Fazio, Pasquale; Gaetano, Raffaele; Caroleo, Mariarita; Cerminara, Gregorio; Giannini, Francesca; Jaén Moreno, Maria Jose; Moreno Díaz, Maria Josè; Medina León, Antonio; Segura-García, Cristina
• Is Part Of: International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice. Volume 19:Number 4(2015)
• Page Start: 233
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2015-10-02
• Subjects: Religiousness -- spirituality -- bipolar disorder; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.3109/13651501.2014.1000929
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1365-1501

Abstract

Abstract : Background. Religiousness and spirituality (R/S) are often neglected features among psychiatric patients but important both for quality of life and coping strategies for mental disorders. In patients affected by bipolar disorder (BD), R/S can sometimes be confused with symptoms related to the psychiatric disorder. This study aimed to perform a clinical review of the relationship between R/S and BD. Methods . Data sources included Medline (OvidSP), CINAHL (Ebsco), EMBASE (Ovid), PsychINFO (Ebsco), Angeline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Database of Abstract of Reviews of Effects, searching for pertinent Keywords: 'religiousness', 'spirituality' and 'bipolar disorder'. Results . Nine works were found but only five used homogeneous samples with BD patients. R/S were important when facing symptoms and relapses in the lifeworld. These beliefs influenced the relationship with psychiatrists and spiritual figures of reference. Conclusions . R/S play a role as a psychosocial variable in the course of BD. However, the hypothesis that the R/S factor can be relevant both in terms of providing a protective effect as well as a provocative element in depressive or hypomanic phases was not fully supported at the moment.