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Define religion and ritual
Name and describe at least two non-traditional healing systems
Discuss the interface between religion and mental health
Religion, Healing and Psychotherapy. What is ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ in religious practices across cultures, Religion and Mental Health: variation, structure and worldview
Defining religion is complex and varies across disciplines, but sociologically, it generally refers to a system of beliefs, values, and practices concerning ultimate meaning and the nature of the sacred. A ritual is a set of prescribed, stylized actions, often symbolic, that are performed within a religious (or other community's) tradition.
Religion: A unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things—things set apart and forbidden—beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community all those who adhere to them. It provides a worldview that gives meaning and purpose to life, explains the inexplicable, and offers a basis for social control and cohesion.
"Non-traditional" healing systems, often referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) or integrative medicine, are practices that fall outside of mainstream Western conventional medicine.
| System | Description |
| Acupuncture | Part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body (acupoints) to stimulate and regulate the flow of Qi (life energy) along pathways called meridians. It's used to prevent and cure disease, manage pain, and promote well-being. |
| Reiki | A Japanese spiritual healing practice that uses non-invasive, gentle touch (or hands held just above the body) to transmit "reiki energy" to the patient. Practitioners believe this energy balances the body's energy centers (chakras), dissolving blockages to promote a person's natural healing response, relaxation, and well-being. |
| Ayurveda | An ancient Indian healing system that focuses on achieving balance between the body, mind, and spirit. It uses a range of techniques including herbal remedies, dietary and lifestyle changes, yoga, meditation, and cleansing procedures to treat illness and encourage overall wellness based on a person's unique constitutional type (dosha). |
The relationship between religion/spirituality (R/S) and mental health is complex, exhibiting both positive and negative impacts. Historically, the two fields were intertwined (e.g., in medieval times, religious institutions often cared for the mentally ill), but they diverged greatly after the Enlightenment and with the rise of Freudian psychoanalysis, which sometimes characterized religion as a "universal neurosis." In recent decades, research has increasingly explored their intersection.
Social Support: Religious communities provide a strong social network and sense of belonging, which acts as a protective factor against isolation, depression, and anxiety.
Coping Mechanism: R/S offers believers positive cognitive appraisals (e.g., finding meaning in suffering, belief in divine purpose) and tools like prayer and meditation to manage stress and crises (positive religious coping).
Worldview and Meaning: Religion provides a coherent worldview that gives life meaning and hope, offering comfort in the face of uncertainty, guilt, and mortality.
Healthy Lifestyles: Many religions prohibit or discourage behaviors that negatively affect health, such as substance abuse (drugs and excessive alcohol) and promiscuity.
Negative Religious Coping: This includes expressions of spiritual distress like anger toward God, feeling abandoned by the religious community, or blaming personal crises on sin or spiritual failing, which can exacerbate anxiety and depression.
Guilt and Stigma: Overly rigid or punitive religious doctrines can lead to excessive guilt, self-condemnation, and dependency. Furthermore, some communities may stigmatize or mishandle mental illness, viewing it solely as a moral or spiritual failing that requires only prayer or exorcism, thus discouraging professional help.
Interference with Treatment: In rare cases, religious beliefs (e.g., prohibition of medication or certain medical procedures) can obstruct adherence to evidence-based psychiatric treatment.