Mysticism and psychosis

The fate of Ben Zoma

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9617907
AutoresDavid Greenberg (0000-0002-8746-1410), David A Greenberg (Jerusalem Mental Health Center, autor de correspondencia), Eliezer Witztum (Jerusalem Mental Health Center), Jacob T Buchbinder (Jerusalem Mental Health Center)
Año1992
Volumen65
Número3
Páginas223-235
Fecha de publicación1992-09-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaBritish Journal of Medical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0007-1129 • E-ISSN: 2056-5194
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.2044-8341.1992.tb01702.x
PMID1390356
OpenAlexW2073865053
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas16

This paper examines the link between psychosis and mystical study through the cases of four young men who ‘entered the garden’ of Jewish mystical speculation and subsequently became psychotic. The role of such study as a precipitating factor is suggested, as three had no signs of disturbance prior to their mystical studies. All had suffered personal losses, and their choice of mystical texts and rites showed that their attraction to mysticism included a search for atonement for guilt they felt over their loss. The features of normative mysticism are presented with each case and it is apparent that hallucinations, grandiose and paranoid delusions, and social withdrawal, are phenomena that do not distinguish the psychotic from the mystic. Diagnosis of psychosis is made on the basis of duration of the state, ability to control entry into the state and the associated deterioration of habits, particularly the neglect of daily religious duties. These findings emphasize the need for the examining psychiatrist to be aware of the cultural background, despite the presence of seemingly florid psychopathology

Epistemology · Mysticism · Neglect · Normative · Psychiatry · Psychoanalysis · Psychosis · Theology · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Philosophy · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology