精神醫學與宗教

Psychiatry and Religion

雖然精神醫學與宗教均致力於醫治人的心靈，但由於歷史上的原因，雙方之間長期存在緊張對立的關係。近年來宗教／靈性關顧對疾病復原的影響力受到肯定。精神醫學一方面企圖從神經科學的研究，探討人的宗教／靈性經驗與腦功能的關係。另一方面從臨床實務著手，發現宗教對精神分裂症、躁症、鬱症等精神病、焦慮症、強迫症及藥物濫用沒有病因上的關係，但卻會影響這些疾病的症狀表現。宗教介入對精神分裂症及躁症急性期的治療沒有幫助，但對鬱症、藥物濫用及寬解期之躁症則很有幫助。對焦慮症及強迫症之影響則視情況而定。在醫學教育方 面，精神醫學已開始嘗試將宗教整合於精神科住院醫師培訓的課程中。藉此使精神科醫師面對病人之宗教相關言行，能鑑別診斷正常與病態宗教表現。也能引導病人發揮其宗教信仰正面效果，成為醫治與成長的助力。

Healing the mind is the key concern of both psychiatry and religion. Yet for historical reason, there have long been tension and conflict between them. In recent years the effects of religious/spiritual care on the recovery of disease and illness have gained acceptance by medicine. Psychiatry has tried to find the scientific basis of religious/spiritual experience through neuroscience research. Meanwhile, clinical studies have revealed that although religion is not etiologically related to schizophrenia, mania, depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive disorder, or substance abuse, it does influence the manifestations of these disorders. Though religious interventions do not appear to affect outcomes of either schizophrenia or mania, they show positive therapeutic effects on depression, substance abuse, and mania in remission. As for anxiety and obsessive disorders, the effect of religious intervention is variable. Integrating religion into psychiatric residency programs has been tried to enhance the competence of psychiatrists in dealing with religion-related manifestations of mental disorders. It is hoped that such a program will enable psychiatrists to recognize religious manifestations of psychopathology, to not pathologize normal mystical religious experiences, and to mobilize religious/spiritual forces in the process of healing and growth.