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Mysticism and psychosis: The fate of Ben Zoma
Author(s) -
Greenberg David,
Witztum Eliezer,
Buchbinder Jacob T.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
british journal of medical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 0007-1129
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.1992.tb01702.x
Subject(s) - mysticism , psychology , psychosis , normative , psychoanalysis , psychiatry , neglect , philosophy , theology , epistemology
This paper examines the link between psychosis and mystical study through the cases of four young men who ‘entered the garden’ of Jewish mystical speculation and subsequently became psychotic. The role of such study as a precipitating factor is suggested, as three had no signs of disturbance prior to their mystical studies. All had suffered personal losses, and their choice of mystical texts and rites showed that their attraction to mysticism included a search for atonement for guilt they felt over their loss. The features of normative mysticism are presented with each case and it is apparent that hallucinations, grandiose and paranoid delusions, and social withdrawal, are phenomena that do not distinguish the psychotic from the mystic. Diagnosis of psychosis is made on the basis of duration of the state, ability to control entry into the state and the associated deterioration of habits, particularly the neglect of daily religious duties. These findings emphasize the need for the examining psychiatrist to be aware of the cultural background, despite the presence of seemingly florid psychopathology.