People who seek higher purpose or greater meaning in their lives often seek religious or spiritual guidance.
Sometimes, these efforts lead to significant changes in their personality and behaviors. What is a spiritual awakening?
Is it evidence of expanded consciousness, or a sign of a mental health concern.
Learn more about our Atlanta, Georgia mental health programs or verify your insurance now.
What Is a Spiritual Awakening?
A spiritual awakening is a dramatic shift in perspective that changes how a person understands the world, their purpose, and their connection with other beings.
Sometimes, spiritual awakenings bring people into closer alignment with the principles of established religions. But a person does not have to follow the teachings of a certain religious leader or adhere to a specific school of thought in order to have this type of experience.
Common Characteristics of a Spiritual Awakening
Spiritual awakenings are intensely personal transformations. This means that the specifics of the experience can vary considerably from one person to the next.
Generally speaking, though, common characteristics of spiritual awakenings include:
- Enhanced clarity and understanding
- Feeling more connected with others
- Dissolution of the ego or sense of self
- Improved mood and increased compassion
- Becoming more hopeful and accepting
- Greater appreciation for nature
- Abandoning self-defeating thoughts and behaviors
- Increased resilience in times of stress or crisis
- Desire to serve others or contributed to the global community
Causes & Catalysts
Spiritual awakenings often, but by no means always, occur in the aftermath of significant life events. Examples of these types of events, which are sometimes referred to as catalysts, include:
- Major life changes such as the birth of a child or the death of a loved one.
- Traumatic experiences such as surviving a serious illness, automobile accident, or other type of near-death experience.
- Substance use, especially involving psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or ayahuasca.
Though the term “awakening” implies a sudden change, spiritual awakenings frequently involve extended processes that span months or even years. They also often require purposeful effort by the individual who is undergoing the change.
In other words, while some people may experience “bolt of lightning” transformations that occur with no warning or intention, most begin with a general sense of dissatisfaction, the belief that there is more to life, or a similar mindset that prompts both introspection and outward exploration.
Spiritual Awakening vs. Religious Psychosis
A sudden change in how a person perceives the world and relates to others isn’t always evidence of a spiritual awakening. Sometimes – especially when the changes are sources of distress for the individual or their loved ones – they fall into the category of religious psychosis.
What is Religious Psychosis?
Psychosis is a mental health term that encompasses three types of symptoms:
- Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing, or otherwise sensing things that do not actually exist.
- Delusions: Rigidly clinging to beliefs that are easily disproven or have no connection to reality.
- Disorganized thinking: Impaired ability to organize your thoughts and communicate with others.
There is virtually no limit to the types of delusions and hallucinations a person can experience, but many times they involve spiritual or religious aspects. This may include believing that you have heard the voice of a god or seen angels or other spiritual beings.
Causes and Risk Factors
Psychosis, religious or otherwise, can have a range of causes, including mental health disorders, medical concerns, and certain behaviors or circumstances.
From a mental health perspective, religious psychosis can be a symptom of:
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
- Delusional disorder
- Bipolar disorder (especially during manic episodes)
Medical problems that have been linked with psychosis include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Brain tumors
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Stroke
Behavioral/experiential factors that can contribute to psychosis include:
- Substance abuse
- Sleep deprivation
- Taking certain prescription medications
- Intense stress or trauma
Differences
Spiritual awakenings can share several characteristics with episodes of religious psychosis. So how can you tell the difference between the two experiences?
If you suspect that someone in your life is exhibiting religious psychosis, an ideal first step is to schedule an assessment with their doctor or with a reputable mental health treatment provider in your area. Only a qualified professional can accurately diagnose someone with a mental or medical health condition.
Factors that diagnosticians may consider during their evaluation include:
- Cultural influences – It’s not uncommon for members of certain religious groups to state that they speak directly with a god or receive instructions from a spiritual deity. For example, Christians who say they communicate with Jesus would not typically be considered to be experiencing religious psychosis. But someone who claims to be controlled by mysterious deities may well be in the throes of psychosis.
- Engagement – Spiritual awakenings often prompt people to increase their efforts to engage with other people. Religious psychosis is more likely to cause a person to become withdrawn.
- Mindset – Spiritual awakenings are more likely to cause a person to become more compassionate, open-minded, and empathetic. Religious psychosis can cause a person to view the world in stark good vs. evil terms.
- Communication – Though the specifics of a spiritual awakening may be difficult for others to understand or agree with, people who have had this type of experience will usually be capable of explaining what they’ve gone through. Religious psychosis is more likely to involve a diminished capacity for logical communication.
Learn More About Mental Health Treatment in Atlanta, Georgia
If someone in your life has been exhibiting signs of religious psychosis, Valor Behavioral Health is here to help.
Our treatment center in Atlanta, GA, offers customized outpatient care for adults and adolescents whose lives have been disrupted by mental illnesses and addictions. Treatment options include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and a virtual IOP.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
