Could belief in an afterlife, etc. lead to psychosis?

[Jimmy]

And the answer is no. Beliefs don't lead to psychosis. It's a neurological issue. Something is up with the brain or drugs can cause it. You can't believe yourself into psychosis.

Right. I hope not, gee. Holy

 

[Quintessence]

I’m talking about ones mental well being. Being mentally ill from believing such things.

In that case, it's not really my place to say. That's a conversation a specific individual would need to have directly with their professional therapist. As others have flagged, (mis)use of clinical mental health terms should be done with caution.

 

[Jimmy]

In that case, it's not really my place to say. That's a conversation a specific individual would need to have directly with their professional therapist. As others have flagged, (mis)use of clinical mental health terms should be done with caution.

I’m not misusing any clinical terms. I’m sincerely asking a question.

 

[ppp]

well, what I’m asking is, if believing in something like this could lead to psychotic thoughts or psychosis or some sort of mental illness

I don't see how "could" is meaningful. Of course it could. Psychosis can sometimes be triggered or exacerbated by intense psychological stress, trauma, or substance abuse. Strongly held beliefs, particularly those that are distressing or anxiety-provoking, might contribute to the development of psychosis in vulnerable individuals. The question should be, Is it likely to lead to a psychosis. And the answer is quite evidently no.

 

[Quintessence]

I’m not misusing any clinical terms. I’m sincerely asking a question.

Literally anything could be a contributing factor to mental illness - which is why this is a conversation a specific individual would need to have directly with their professional therapist and also why I agree exercising caution in (mis)using clinical terms.

To add - I write it (mis)using for a reason - as in using and/or misusing, not one or the other.

 

[Jimmy]

I don't see how "could" is meaningful. Of course it could. Psychosis can sometimes be triggered or exacerbated by intense psychological stress, trauma, or substance abuse. Strongly held beliefs, particularly those that are distressing or anxiety-provoking, might contribute to the development of psychosis in vulnerable individuals. The question should be, Is it likely to lead to a psychosis. And the answer is quite evidently no.

All you had to say was it’s unlikely that it could lead to psychosis. I didn’t need a lesson in semantic grammar thanks. That’s what I was thinking, but I wanted to get peoples opinions on it.

 

[ppp]

Well, that’s what I meant when I said could. I may not be as eloquent with words as you. …but yeah, that makes sense that it’s unlikely to lead to a psychosis. That’s what I was thinking, but I wanted to get peoples opinions on it.

Sorry. There are so many people out there that try to imply that religious or para-religious beliefs are mental illnesses that I tend to terseness on the subject.

 

[Jimmy]

Sorry. There are so many people out there that try to imply that religious or para-religious beliefs are mental illnesses that I tend to terseness on the subject.

Ok apology accepted. I edited my last response to you. Lol

 

[Jimmy]

Sorry. There are so many people out there that try to imply that religious or para-religious beliefs are mental illnesses that I tend to terseness on the subject.

No way am I suggesting that religious or spiritual belief is a mental illness. I was asking if such things could lead to a mental illness.

 

[ppp]

No way am I suggesting that religious or spiritual belief is a mental illness. I was asking if such things could lead to a mental illness.

Cool.

But I do not know how we could tell cause in any individual. Andrea Yates. Did her condition warp her beliefs, or did her beliefs cause her actions. Or was there some sort of complex internal interplay of the two in her head?

What about in early Christianity before suicide became a mortal sin? There were a lot of early martyr who sought their martyr dome through suicide by cop centurion. There were groups such as the Council of Arles and the Donatists (sp?) where the practice was highly respected. Were they psychotic? Or was it rational to take the actions that they believed would lead to everlasting life in Heaven? How can we tell?

 

[Mock Turtle]

I think many many people, religious or not live their life as a nice person not because they’re concerned about the consequences in the afterlife, but they’re concerned about consequences in their real life.

That is probably true but people's behaviour will often be dictated by what their religion tells them and where this might go against their natural beliefs or that promoted by other religions or just be different from those without any such beliefs.

 

[Jimmy]

That is probably true but people's behaviour will often be dictated by what their religion tells them and where this might go against their natural beliefs or that promoted by other religions or just be different from those without any such beliefs.

Perhaps in some

 

[Valjean]

Isn’t psychotic and delusional the same thing? Also how come many people who believe in an afterlife have families, jobs, are decent people and don’t have psychological or mental illnesses?

A delusion is a firm belief that persists despite contradictory evidence.
A psychosis is a brain disorder characterized by a loss of the ability to differentiate between physical reality and fantasy or dreams. It often includes delusions and hallucinations, but these are more symptoms than the essence of the disease.

A psychological or neurological disorder that doesn't create a physical or social impairment is not usually treated as an illness.

 

[Jimmy]

A delusion is a firm belief that persists despite contradictory evidence.
A psychosis is a brain disorder characterized by a loss of the ability to differentiate between physical reality and fantasy or dreams. It often includes delusions and hallucinations, but these are more symptoms than the essence of the disease.

A psychological or neurological disorder that doesn't create a physical or social impairment is not usually treated as an illness.

Yes a psychosis is a very sad thing for someone to live with.

 

[Valjean]

Isn't it sort of the wrong question to ask "is it rational" when humans are fundamentally driven by emotional needs - particularly with this aspect of existential meaning and purpose? Being rational isn't the point of human life just in general. It's being happy or content with oneself and one's lot in life. Which is a pretty rational need. The two are always found together in humans.

Good point.
Through most of human history, critical thinking and rational analysis were of little use. Immediate effect and jumping to conclusions were what got us through the ice age. Evolution didn't wire our brains for analysis or evidence-based conclusions.
Rational analysis is a new thing.

 

[Valjean]

I’m talking about ones mental well being. Being mentally ill from believing such things.

But what is "illness," if it doesn't entail some sort of disability or handicap?
Illness and delusion aren't the same thing.

 

[Jimmy]

But what is "illness," if it doesn't entail some sort of disability or handicap?
Illness and delusion aren't the same thing.

a false belief or judgment about external reality, held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, occurring especially in mental conditions.
"he began to experience hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, and agitation along with dizziness and nausea"

I would say delusion qualifies as a psychosis, according to the definition.

 

[Jimmy]

But what is "illness," if it doesn't entail some sort of disability or handicap?
Illness and delusion aren't the same thing.

I know that illness entails a disability.

 

[Valjean]

well, what I’m asking is, if believing in something like this could lead to psychotic thoughts or psychosis or some sort of mental illness

Psychosis? Why would popular delusional beliefs radically rewire your brain? Delusion is the historical norm.

 

[Jimmy]

Psychosis? Why would popular delusional beliefs radically rewire your brain? Delusion is the historical norm.

I don’t know that’s why I’m here asking the question. According to the definition a delusion is a false belief about external real. Hearing voices would be a false belief would it not?