The Syndrome of Possession with Religious Content in Schizophrenia: Clinical and Psychopathological Features

Background: as it's insufficiently explored, the syndrome of possession with religious content (SPRC) in schizophrenia appears to be quite difficult problem. Severity of states that could be observed within the framework of this syndrome requests very careful research due to existing social risk and resistance to psychopharmacotherapy.

The aim of the study: was to determine clinical-and-psychopathological features of the SPRC in schizophrenia to conduct psychopathological differentiation and apply specific diagnostic criteria and prognosis of the disease.

Patients and methods: 36 patients suffering from the SPRC in schizophrenia (F20.0, F20.01, F20.02 according to ICD-10) were examined. The research methods were used in the study: psychopathological, follow-up and psychometrical (according to PANSS), statistical (Student's test).

Results and conclusion: specific feature for SPRC is persistent delusional patient's conviction in the impact on him carried out by some immaterial "spiritual creature", which involves control under his/her mind and body, and leads to destruction of personality. The syndrome of possession with religious content (SPRC) is developing according to pattern of paranoid syndrome and it's accompanied with massive mental automatisms. The obtained data contains differentiated criteria of personalized diagnostics and prognostic approaches in schizophrenia proceeded with syndrome of possession with religious content.

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