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01-09-2010 | Original Paper

Religious Conversion in a Psychotic Individual

Authors: Julie B. Penzner, Kevin V. Kelly, Michael H. Sacks

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2010

Abstract

The authors describe the case of a man who appeared to have psychotic symptoms, including self-injurious behavior, but who understood his own experience as a religious conversion. The symptoms, clinical course, and treatment response are described with reference to the works of Kurt Schneider and William James. Empirical studies of the attitudes of psychiatrists, psychiatric patients, and clergypersons about the relationship between religious belief and psychiatric illness are described, and various theoretical models used to understand this relationship are articulated.

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Title: Religious Conversion in a Psychotic Individual
Authors: Julie B. Penzner
Kevin V. Kelly
Michael H. Sacks
Publication date: 01-09-2010
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9245-y

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Religious Conversion in a Psychotic Individual

Abstract

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