Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
Read an interesting research article concerning religion and its influences on mental health from the Indian (that is Indian from the country of India) perspective. According to the article, religious beliefs and practices often contribute to the development of some psychiatric disorders in regards to maladaptive behaviors like obsessions, anxiety and depression. Citing Freud, he believed that there was a similarity between obsessive behavioral patterns and religious practices in their fixed character which can potentially lead to anxiety if a specific action is not properly performed. An example is Dhat syndrome, which is a condition where males report of having premature ejaculation or impotence where they believe they are passing semen through urine. According to the research article:
"An average Hindu grows in an environment where sex outside marriage is identical to sin. The guilt is overpowering and becomes an integral part of his psychological development. We see the repercussion in the form of sexual hypochondriasis. Sexual hypochondriasis Dhat (WIG 1958) is common in India. There is multiple neurasthenic symptoms associated with passage of semen in urine. It occurs in young Indian males. A history of masturbation and night emissions are present."
I thought this brought an interesting dynamic to the discussion of the influences of religion when it comes to mental health. Although several studies have shown that religion plays an important part in the daily function of people, it can also serve as a catalyst for psychiatric disorders. The full research article could be looked at here:Religion and mental health
Thoughts?
"An average Hindu grows in an environment where sex outside marriage is identical to sin. The guilt is overpowering and becomes an integral part of his psychological development. We see the repercussion in the form of sexual hypochondriasis. Sexual hypochondriasis Dhat (WIG 1958) is common in India. There is multiple neurasthenic symptoms associated with passage of semen in urine. It occurs in young Indian males. A history of masturbation and night emissions are present."
I thought this brought an interesting dynamic to the discussion of the influences of religion when it comes to mental health. Although several studies have shown that religion plays an important part in the daily function of people, it can also serve as a catalyst for psychiatric disorders. The full research article could be looked at here:Religion and mental health
Thoughts?