The term pathological pseudoreligiosity (PPR) has been chosen for description of mental disorders with religious content (MDRC), accompanied with distortion of acceptance and assimilation of religious convictions, and with significant changes in patient’s religious behavior and way of life.

To assess the entire spectrum of mental pathology with religious content and relate it to the depth of mental disorder.

857 patients (300 males, 557 females), with religious worldview and mental disorders were observed with psychopathological and follow-up methods.

The pathological pseudoreligiosity was detected in 326 patients – 38%. Follow-up period estimated mean 9,5 years. Next mental disorders with religious content were identified and described. Specific PPR types were correlated with register of the depth of mental disorder (K. Schneider):

Management and treatment of patients suffering from MDRC with pathological pseudoreligiosity requires a particular approach. The consideration must be given to religious content of mental disorders and to clinical specifics of these disorders.

No significant relationships.

Delusional Syndrome of Possession in schizophrenia (DSPS) is insufficiently explored. Although it characterized by significant severity of clinical state and resistance to psychopharmacotherapy, and may be accompanied by high social risks.

To carry out clinical and psychopathological differentiation of DSPS and to define its personalized diagnostic and prognostic criteria.

66 patients with DSPS were observed (F20.0, F20.01, F20.02 according to ICD-10) by psychopathological, psychometrical and statistical methods.

Persistent delusional conviction of patient in invasion of certain «spiritual being» (demonic or divine) inside of the body and soul is the specific core of DSPS. The psychotic episode with DSPS has similar pattern with paranoid syndrome of Kandinsky–Clérambault. Although, the structure of the syndrome is varying, and characterized by predominance of hallucinatory or delusion symptoms. According to these varieties two different types of DSPS were identified, which were observed in continuous or paroxysmal course of disease. The forms of destructive delusional behavior were also different for both of these types.

Delusional Syndrome of Possession in schizophrenia (DSPS) is complex and diverse phenomenon, due to religious content of delusional disorders, which occurs in specific psychopathological structure of psychotic state. This fact may cause controversy both in psychiatric practice and in religious communities. So, the obtained data could be important for social and treatment predicting, as well as for pastoral counseling.

No significant relationships.

Delusional Disorders with Religious Content (DDRC) require careful study concerning their prevalence, psychopathological heterogeneity and the risk of destructive behavior.

To classify the clinical forms of DDRC

By clinical-psychopathological, follow-up and statistical approaches 2523 cases of patients with mental disorders who received inpatient care in a state clinic for year were analyzed; in 225 cases of total 2523 delusional disorders in schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20.0, F20.01, F20.02) were diagnosed.

The comparative analysis of delusional disorders (225 cases, 100%) with religious (70 cases -31.1%) and non-religious content (155 cases - 69.9%) revealed prevalence of DDRC in non-believers (p <0.01). Delusional destructive behavior occurred in 47.1% of 70 cases in patients with DDRC (15% of total 225).

The predominant content of DDRC (among the Delusions of Possession, Sinfulness/guilt, Messianism, Manichaean and the End-world Delusions) was the Delusions of Possession - 36.8%. Psychopathological heterogeneity of DDRC was identified and specific types of DDRC were described.

DDRC is associated with the development of massive psychopathological symptoms and significant severity, and often accompanied by various forms of destractive behavior. This circumstance requires constant and careful management of these patients, collection of their religious history and asks for specific therapeutic approaches.

No significant relationships.