Influence of religion and supernatural beliefs on clinical manifestation and treatment practices in
patients with bipolar disorder
Sammanfattning
Background: Religious and supernatural beliefs influence help seeking and treatment practices
in bipolar disorder, but these are rarely explored by clinicians. This study aimed to understand
religiousness, magico-religious beliefs, prevalence of religious and supernatural psychopathology
and treatment practices among patients with bipolar disorder in euthymic state. Methodology: A total
of 185 patients of bipolar disorder currently in remission were assessed cross-sectionally for their
clinical profile, current clinical status on the Hamilton Depression Rating Sscale (HDRS), Young
Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). A semi structured
instrument for magico-religious beliefs, aetiological models, treatment seeking and treatment
practices was administered. Results: More than a third of patients (37.8%) had psychopathology with
either religious or supernatural content or both in their lifetime. Almost half (45.4%) the patients
believed in a supernatural/religious aetiology for their illness. Among the specific causes, planetary
influences (13.5%) and God’s will (30.8%) were the most common supernatural and religious cause,
respectively. Almost half (44.3%) of patients had first treatment contact with religious/supernatural
treatment providers. More than 90% of patients reported belief in God, yet about 70% reported that
their doctors did not ask them sufficient questions to understand their religiosity. Conclusion:
Magico-religious beliefs are common in bipolar disorder and a large number of patients attribute
these as aetiological factors for their illness. Consequently they tend to seek treatment from
traditional practitioners prior to approaching medical practitioners and may continue treatment with
them alongside medical management.