Psychosis and Paganism
I’m frustrated. A friend (not patient) of mine has apparently been in and out of the hospital lately. From her writings, she does not sound too well — likely a bit psychotic right now, jumping from topic to topic too much, and half-lost in references and delusions all her own. But even more disturbing is that she may be right about something at least in part — that her fundamentalist parents and hospital views of her religion are combining to make this far worse for her than it actually has to be.
She complains about hospital questionnaires that she knows are designed to test for psychosis — but that Pagans answering truthfully would trigger. I have not seen her questionnaires, but I have seen similar. I can only hope the professionals handling her case have some compassion and insight on matters of religion and spirituality.
The possibility that parents or hospital staff might persecute her may be enough to make the delusions and psychosis all the worse since there could be a grain of truth to them. I’ve observed on many occasions that upset people tend to become more unbalanced.
I’d really love to consult with that hospital on Paganism and handling Pagan patients.
Blessings to her recovery.
— Michael