Ecstasy or insanity? Is it possible to differentiate between „normal” and „pathological” religious behaviour?

This article presents the cultural factors which contribute to understanding psychological health and pathology. The definitions of understanding psychological health and ways of approaching treatment were analysed, with particular emphasis on the role of religion. Understanding health and pathology was analysed from the perspective of the distinction between illness and disease. Four academic disciplines tackling this topic –psychology of religion, cultural psychology, indigenous psychology and clinical psychology –were presented as specific ways of approaching a conceptualisation of the above problems.

This article presents the cultural factors which contribute to understanding psychological health and pathology. The definitions of understanding psychological health and ways of approaching treatment were analysed, with particular emphasis on the role of religion. Understanding health and pathology was analysed from the perspective of the distinction between illness and disease. Four academic disciplines tackling this topic –psychology of religion, cultural psychology, indigenous psychology and clinical psychology –were presented as specific ways of approaching a conceptualisation of the above problems.