Religious Psychopathology: Overview of Clinical, Cultural, and Neurobiological Perspectives
Religions June 16, 2026 Emmanouil Synadinakis, A. Delis, Anastasia Doska et al.
Religious psychopathology sits at the intersection of psychiatry, theology, and culture, addressing mental health disorders expressed through religious content, ideation, or behavior. Distinguishing culturally normative religious experiences from pathological symptoms is non-trivial for clinicians, researchers, and religious leaders. This integrative narrative review examines historical perspectives, diagnostic challenges, clinical manifestations, cultural considerations, therapeutic interventions, neurobiological models, ethical issues, and future directions. It focuses on literature from 2013 to 2025, with selected foundational sources, emphasizing culturally informed and interdisciplinary approaches that respect spiritual frameworks while promoting evidence-based mental health care.