Spirituality and the Healthy Mind: The Battle for the Soul of Psychiatry »

New York University Medical Center

Spirituality has emerged as a prominent theme in contemporary culture. It is seen in issues as diverse as Eastern philosophies and religious awakenings; its psychological impact is apparent in alternative medicine, Alcoholics Anonymous, and meditation. In their own ways, each of these has helped people get relief from the problems psychiatrists often treat. But the mental health profession has generally ignored these isues, focusing on specific target symptoms, from anxiety to heavy drinking. Their efforts rely increasingy on medications and brief therapies as they succumb to the chilling influence of managed care. This raises an important question: Can the spiritual and professional, two perspectives that seem different, be reconciled? This book is designed to provide an answer to this question. It draws on recent findings in psychology, neuroscience, and innovative therapies to understand how people in America and worldwide express their spiritual needs. It then shows how the mentally ill, substance abusers, and people troubled by a sense that something is missing in their lives can be helped by developing a sense of personal meaning, while still benefitting from contemporary therapy and medications. Finally, it examines shortcomings in both the biomedical and spiritually-oriented approaches. The book draws on clinical experience and recent research studies, including the author's work over thirty years. This is enhanced by case studies drawn from patients, mental health professionals, the lay public, and even cult members. All this is brought together to create a vivid understanding of how mental health treatment can be made more effective by giving meaning to people's lives.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Patricia E. Murphy, PhD(Rush University Medical Center)
Description:This book leads the reader through a breadth of topics from cultural to neuroscience related to a growing interest in spirituality. The author uses his experience of over 30 years of research and clinical work in telling the story of the role spirituality can play in achieving mental health.
Purpose:The purpose is to challenge psychiatry to include patients' spirituality in treatment. This topic continues to hold the interest of both professionals and the general public. The author provides worthwhile information in fulfilling his objective.
Audience:The epilogue addresses the clinician, the research community, and the patient. The author's credibility lies in the years of investigation and clinical work he has invested. The anecdotal approach makes the content easily accessible.
Features:A unique aspect of this book is the involvement of its author in investigating spirituality first hand and theoretically since the seventies. The anecdotal style gives the impression that the book is almost a history of the growing interest in spirituality and health over the past several decades. The author's discussion of alternative modes of treatment for the seriously mentally ill provides evidence of his commitment to integrating spirituality, not as a luxury, but as a component for all patients. The author's research has, primarily, focused on nontraditional groups or cults with spiritual practices. A better integration of research about those who consider themselves spiritual and religious might be more representative of the field.
Assessment:The reader will appreciate the breadth of topics and enthusiasm of the author who has made this his career. The academician might want more in terms of a structure and research.