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

[Jimmy]

Technically true. It's easier though to explain to those who don't see the big picture.

…and what is the big picture?

 

[Jimmy]

No. People really need to stop misusing mental health terms. It's not "delusional", either.

As for "irrational", human beings are mostly irrational in general so it doesn't matter.

I’m not misusing it. I’m asking a serious question if believing things like this could lead to mental illness.

 

[Twilight Hue]

…and what is the big picture?

That nothing really gets destroyed in a continuum.

 

[Jimmy]

Rational? No. Normal? Obviously. Potential to affect your emotional well being...no more or less than anything else that is important to your emotional core or sense of self.

Psychotic? WTF?

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

 

[Jimmy]

***edit***
There’s been a little misunderstanding with my original title and question so I edited them both. Thanks

 

[George-ananda]

Is it rational?

It's perfectly rational from the assessment of the Afterlife Evidence.

Does it have the potential to seriously affect your mental well being or is it considered normal because many people believe in it?

Very much so. It affects my mental well-being in an extremely positive way.

 

[Jimmy]

That nothing really gets destroyed in a continuum.

And what was I before being born?

 

[Twilight Hue]

And what was I before being born?

Original face.

 

[Jimmy]

It's perfectly rational from the assessment of the Afterlife Evidence.


Very much so. It affects my mental well-being in an extremely positive way.

What makes that list a reliable source of evidence of an afterlife?

 

[Jimmy]

Original face.

What is that?

 

[George-ananda]

What makes that list a reliable source of evidence of an afterlife

It's a compilation of many many sources and personal experiences.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I’m not misusing it. I’m asking a serious question if believing things like this could lead to mental illness.

Yes, you are. Psychosis is a serious psychiatric condition that causes the person to lose touch with reality. Such people aren't able to function and require medication to be lucid. Having a mere belief in something itself doesn't say anything about a person's mental health.

 

[Jimmy]

It's a compilation of many many sources and personal experiences.

…but what makes it reliable?

 

[firedragon]

Is it rational? Does it have the potential to seriously affect your mental well being or is it considered normal and healthy thought?

If there's research done on it and the assertion is statistically proven to be true, then it's time to consider. If not, it's just gonna be someone's bias.

Though it's not absolutely relevant to your topic, this might have some information related to it. Or should I say "somewhat related"?

Can Religion Help with Depression?

The brains of those at high risk for depression become more similar to low-risk brains when they strongly value religious beliefs.

www.psychologytoday.com

 

[firedragon]

Yes, it can seriously affect one psychologically and socially.

Do you have any study to point to?

 

[George-ananda]

…but what makes it reliable?

Mountains of evidence from 150 years of paranormal research.

 

[Jimmy]

Yes, you are. Psychosis is a serious psychiatric condition that causes the person to lose touch with reality. Such people aren't able to function and require medication to be lucid. Having a mere belief in something itself doesn't say anything about a person's mental health.

I’m aware of what it is.

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder that's likely caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and personal factors. These factors vary from person to person, but some common ones include:

• Genetics
  Having a close relative with schizophrenia increases your risk of developing it.
• Pregnancy and birth issues
  Low birth weight, exposure to toxins or viruses before birth, or not getting enough nutrition before or after birth can affect brain development.
• Stressful life events
  These can include abuse, harassment, the death of a loved one, job loss, poverty, or homelessness.
• Drug and alcohol use
  Heavy use of cannabis, especially stronger forms, is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. Taking mind-altering drugs as a teen or young adult may also increase the risk.
• Brain damage
  Damage that prevents the brain from growing normally during pregnancy or birth can increase the risk.
• Childhood trauma
  This can negatively affect the default mode network (DMN), which is responsible for processing thoughts and memories, daydreaming, and reflecting. Abnormal connections in the DMN can cause issues with hallucinations, delusions, and self-awareness.
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• I’d say believing in an afterlife is a personal factor.
  
  
  
  

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I’m aware of what it is.

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder that's likely caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and personal factors. These factors vary from person to person, but some common ones include:

• Genetics
  Having a close relative with schizophrenia increases your risk of developing it.
• Pregnancy and birth issues
  Low birth weight, exposure to toxins or viruses before birth, or not getting enough nutrition before or after birth can affect brain development.
• Stressful life events
  These can include abuse, harassment, the death of a loved one, job loss, poverty, or homelessness.
• Drug and alcohol use
  Heavy use of cannabis, especially stronger forms, is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. Taking mind-altering drugs as a teen or young adult may also increase the risk.
• Brain damage
  Damage that prevents the brain from growing normally during pregnancy or birth can increase the risk.
• Childhood trauma
  This can negatively affect the default mode network (DMN), which is responsible for processing thoughts and memories, daydreaming, and reflecting. Abnormal connections in the DMN can cause issues with hallucinations, delusions, and self-awareness.
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• I’d say believing in an afterlife is a personal factor.
  
  
  

You have explaining to do as to why you think that, then.

 

[Jimmy]

You have explaining to do as to why you think that, then.

I don’t think that, that’s why I’m here asking the question. My question was: Could belief in an afterlife lead to psychosis?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I don’t think that, that’s why I’m here asking the question. My question was: Could belief in an afterlife lead to psychosis?

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.