FAITH-INDUCED NEUROSIS - MYTH OR REALITY

Psychopathology in religious patients is often attributed to their fai th. Even within the Christian therapeutic community, there are several labels suggesting faith-induced pathology, such as Toxic Faith, or Ad ult Children of Evangelicals. A European equivalent is found in the te rm Ecclesiogenic Neurosis. These concepts am examined critically for t heir consistency as a construct. Empirical research and clinical exper ience suggest that psychopathology in religious patients has to be see n against the background of their underlying pathology, their biograph y, and the way in which they integrate faith into their life styles. I t is not religious faith itself that causes the problems, but rather t he tension between needs, ideals, and realities. These can be influenc ed in varying degrees by religious factors. Instead of ecclesiogenic t he author proposes the term ecclesiomorphic disorder. Assessment shoul d avoid monocausal attributions and provide a descriptive analysis of the presenting problems. This can be used as a basis for further couns eling. Therapists working with religious clients should be able to hel p them distinguish between functional and dysfunctional roles of relig ion, and to strengthen personal and faith-related coping resources.