Delusions with Religious Content: How to Care for Patients

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Delusions with Religious Content: How to Care for Patients

Post16 Mar 2017

For the first 20 odd years in Brahma Kumarism, Lekhraj Kirpalani and his entourage of young women thought he was god. In fact, more than one Hindu of the major gods, or even "higher than god".

Either he was God, which he was not, or he was suffering from 'Delusions with religious content' (DRC). Certainly 'grandiose messianic delusions' and, to a degree, 'persecutory delusions'. Possibly even guilt delusions to a lesser degree.

And if he did not fell real and worthy guilt for what he said and did, he had other problems too.

This is a copy of a paper on, 'How to care for patients who have delusions with religious content' which is useful in assisting an analysis of Lekhraj Kirpalani's state of mind, but also generally applicable to some of the more exaggerated cases of BKism we have seen here and which have occurred far more often within BK centres.

It also places the symptoms of Lekhraj Kirpalani's and BKs' hyper religiosity in a greater context.

As an aside, I wonder how much of his "husband" or "Father of the people" complex (Prajapati or Prajapita) was based on repressed guilt feeling for having deserted his own wife and family during his business period?

In the magazine, the authors give the example of a patient with a long history of schizophrenia presenting with concerns about "evil spirits in his home who have poisoned him", who was unable to sleep, “fearful for my life every night because that is when the demons come out” yet also believed that God was “more powerful than the evil spirits”.

Although far from the mainstream of BKism, we have certainly experienced individuals express similar paranoias dressed in BK terms, e.g. replace "evil spirits" with BK Dadi able to beam messages and psychically attack them, causing anything from headaches to delusions. Of course, such beliefs do actually run parallel with claims the BKs actually make of the Dadis' (elder Sisters) and their psychic powers.
How to care for patients who have delusions with religious content

An evidence based review from Current Psychiatry 2012 January;11(1):47-51

Author(s): Sara M’Lis Clark, MD, David A. Harrison, MD, PhD (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington)

To improve outcomes, look beyond delusion content and enlist spiritual care experts

Delusions with religious content (DRC) are associated with poorer clinical outcomes and dangerousness. Most mental health professionals will encounter patients with DRC because this type of delusion is relatively common in patients with symptoms of mania or psychosis. For example, in a study of 193 inpatients with schizophrenia, 24% had religious delusions. The prevalence of DRC varies considerably among populations and can be influenced by the local religion and culture. This article reviews clinical challenges and assessment and management strategies for patients with DRC.

In a UK study of 193 inpatients with schizophrenia, compared with patients with other types of delusions, those with DRC:
    had higher Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores and lower Global Assessment of Functioning scores
    waited longer before re-engaging in treatment
    were prescribed more medications.
In addition, compared with patients with other types of delusions, patients with DRC often hold these delusions with greater conviction making them more challenging to treat.

Dangerousness in patients with DRC can manifest as self-harm or harm to others. Extreme examples include self-inflicted enucleation of the eye and autocastration. In a review of 9 cases of severe ocular self-injury, 4 patients had DRC. Genital self-mutilation associated with DRC is rare, but several cases of psychotic men who performed autocastration based on a literal, erroneous interpretation of a passage in the Bible (Matthew 19:12) have been reported. Patients with DRC have committed rape and murder because they believed they were the antichrist.

In this article we use the phrase “delusions with religious content” instead of “religious delusions” because this distinction highlights that many subtypes of delusions can have a religious theme. Categories of delusions with religious themes include:
    persecutory (often involving Satan)
    grandiose (messianic delusions)
    guilt delusions.
Categorizing DRC is important because some are associated with more distress or dangerousness than others. For example, case studies of self-inflicted eye injuries found that most patients had guilt delusions with religious themes that referenced punishing transgressions, controlling unacceptable sexual impulses, and attaining prescience by destroying vision. Also, using the label “religious delusion” can inadvertently pathologize religious experiences.

Tips for effective evaluation

DSM-IV-TR offers no specific guidelines for assessing DRC vs nondelusional religious beliefs. There is risk of pathologizing religious beliefs when listening to content alone. Instead, focus on the conviction, pervasiveness, uniqueness or bizarreness, and associated emotional distress of the delusion to the patient.

In the context of the patient’s spiritual history, deviations from conventional religious beliefs and practices are important factors in determining whether a religious belief is authentic or delusional. Involving family members and/or spiritual care professionals (eg, chaplains and clergy) can be especially helpful when making this differentiation.16,17 In the hospital, chaplains often are familiar with a variety of faith traditions and may provide important insight into the patient’s beliefs. In the community, clergy members from the patient’s faith also may provide valuable perspective.

Similar to how having a basic familiarity with a patient’s culture can improve care, a better understanding of a patient’s spiritual or religious beliefs and practices can build rapport and the therapeutic alliance. This is particularly important with patients with DRC because these individuals often have a poor therapeutic alliance and engagement with providers.19 Because many psychiatrists have limited time and may not be familiar with every patient’s spiritual or religious background, consultation with spiritual care professionals may be helpful.

Clinical Point

Working with spiritual care professionals may help reduce clinician biases that could pathologize a patient’s religiosity


Assess whether your patient has reservations about psychiatric treatment. Some may believe that seeking care from a doctor is evidence of weak faith, whereas others may feel that psychiatric treatment is forbidden or incompatible with their religious beliefs.19-22 Mental health clinicians need to consider their own religious biases that may cause them to minimize or pathologize a patient’s religiosity. Working collaboratively with spiritual care professionals may help reduce clinician biases or assumptions.

Assessing patients with DRC
    Use caution when making a diagnosis to decrease risk of pathologizing religious beliefs
    Do not focus solely on the content of the delusion; instead look at conviction, pervasiveness, bizarreness, and associated distress
    Look at the spiritual/religious context and deviations from conventional religious beliefs of the patient’s culture
    Establish an open dialogue with the patient, the family, and individuals from the patient’s faith community to understand the psychosocial issues and any reservations about psychiatric care
    Be aware of the categories of delusions, especially those associated with harm (eg, grandiose antichrist delusions, guilt delusions, and some persecutory delusions)
    Perform a thorough safety assessment that includes previous self-harm, drug use, and severity of mental illness
    Be vigilant for patients who are actively seeking evidence to support their misguided/dangerous beliefs
Evaluating safety

When constructing a differential diagnosis and evaluating patients for safety, remember that DRC are a feature of many psychiatric disorders (eg, persecutory DRC in schizophrenia, grandiose DRC in mania). Consider the course and severity of the patient’s illness, and determine if he or she has a history or evidence of self-injury or substance abuse. Be cognizant of the categories of delusions in the context of the diagnosis. For example, grandiose delusions that involve the antichrist can be associated with harm toward others. Patients who express extreme feelings of guilt or shame (as seen in psychotic depression) and the need to be physically punished may be at risk for self-harm. Finally, patients seeking evidence to support misguided and dangerous beliefs—for example, obsessing over a religious text regarding self-injury while in a delusional state—may be at high risk for self-harm.

Clinical Point

Patients who are seeking evidence to support misguided and dangerous beliefs may be at high risk for self-harm


Researchers have suggested clinicians question patients to determine if they trust their delusions. Patients who trust their delusions may appear calm if they already have decided to act on their thoughts. Preventive measures for patients at risk of self-harm include close observation, hospitalization, and pharmacotherapy.

Pharmacotherapy for DRC[b]

There are no clear recommendations on specific psychotropics or dosages for treating patients with DRC. When a patient with DRC is at high risk of self-harm or harming others, using antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics, or a combination of these agents sometimes is needed to quell agitation, along with close observation and restraints when necessary.

[b]Treating patients with DRC[b]
    If a patient is at risk for self-harm or harming others, take preventive measures such as hospitalization or close observation
    Rapid tranquilization may be necessary to reduce risk of harm
    Encourage positive religious coping and spiritual practices, when appropriate
    DRC: delusions with religious content
[b]Using spirituality to cope


Many persistently mentally ill patients identify themselves as religious and use religious activities or beliefs to cope with their illness. In a study of 1,824 seriously mentally ill patients, self-reports of religiousness were positively associated with psychological well-being and diminished psychiatric symptoms. Longitudinal research has shown that some aspects of spirituality and religion are associated with positive mental and physical health effects, whereas other aspects can worsen symptoms. Specifically, positive religious coping such as benevolent religious reappraisals (eg, “Jesus is my shield and savior”), collaborative religious coping, and spiritual support are associated with positive mental health.31 However, negative religious coping, such as punishing God reappraisals and reappraisals of God’s power (eg, “my illness is punishment for my sins”), are associated with distress and personal loss.

For patients with psychotic disorders—and with schizophrenia in particular—religious beliefs can be a source of meaning, hope, strength, and recovery. In a study of 115 outpatients with psychosis, 71% used positive religious coping, compared with 14% who used negative religious coping. Among 38 patients with DRC, 45% used spirituality and religion to help cope with their illness, even though they received less support from religious communities than patients with other types of delusions. In this study, the authors suggest that positive religious coping among patients with DRC may alleviate delusion severity by decreasing levels of conviction and fear and preventing maladjusted behaviors. Religious beliefs and activities are associated with fewer hospitalizations among patients with persistent mental illness and are a significant protective factor against suicide in patients with psychotic disorders. However, some studies have found that intense, obsessive participation in spiritual activities can worsen psychiatric symptoms and undermine recovery.

Addressing religion in treatment.

Although many studies have emphasized the importance of religion to patients with psychosis, evidence-based guidelines on how best to address religion/spirituality in the clinical setting in patients with psychosis have yet to be established. In a 2011 study, a spiritual assessment was well tolerated by 40 patients with psychotic disorders and improved patients’ appointment attendance compared with a control group who received traditional care only.

Many mental health providers feel ill-equipped or are uncomfortable exploring spiritual or religious issues with patients. Enlisting the help of spiritual care professionals when assessing patients with DRC may improve evaluation and care (Table 3). Spiritual care professionals typically are experienced in exploring subjects associated with DRC, such as guilt, morality, conscience, repentance, and confession. Spiritual care professionals also may be able to assist patients with religious coping and provide comfort and support.

Finally, spiritual care professionals can help patients connect or reconnect to a spiritual or religious community. In one case, the hospital chaplain deterred him from focusing on the reason the evil spirits were trying to punish him and guided him toward positive religious coping. The patient felt we were listening to him on a deeper level and understanding his spiritual struggles. The chaplain’s involvement also enhanced the patient’s relationship with the psychiatrist.

When to elicit help from spiritual care professionals
    To better understand the patient’s religious background
    To reduce biases when the clinician comes from a different religious background or no religious background
    To help identify positive and negative religious coping, and to reinforce positive coping
    To connect or reconnect patients to members of their faith community or to help them find a religious community
    Clinical Point
    Spiritual care professionals may provide comfort and support, and help patients connect to a religious or spiritual community
Related Resources
    Mohr S, Borras L, Betrisey C, et al. Delusions with religious content in patients with psychosis: how they interact with spiritual coping. Psychiatry. 2010;73(2):158-172.

    Huguelet P, Mohr S, Betrisey C, et al. A randomized trial of spiritual assessment of outpatients with schizophrenia: patients’ and clinicians’ experience. Psychiatr Serv. 2011;62(1):79-86.
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