The mystical illusion is an interpretation of reality that has three characteristics: the first is that such interpretation has as its central content the religious theme; the second is that it is based on a judgment that is not shared by the society or culture in which it lives. The third is that this situation causes great discomfort in the person and affects his relationship with others and his performance in social life.
The mystical illusion was also called a messinic illusion, because it is common for the affected person to feel elected to fulfill a specific mission ordained by the deity, given the difficulty of putting precise limits on a religious belief, the mystical illusion is sometimes not easy. Detect.
- The determining factor of mystical delirium is the negative effect it has on the person.
- One can have absurd beliefs for others.
- And yet they cannot be classified as delusional.
- Since they do not cause anxiety or insufficiency.
- More than truthfulness or lying.
- What makes mental content delusional is the intensity.
- Persistence.
- And damage that content does to the person.
“Faith is gold, silver enthusiasm, bronze fanaticism. ” – Hugo Ojetti-
Religion is the belief that there is a divine or supernatural power that must be worshipped and obeyed, this belief is often accompanied by an ethical code to be followed and a set of rituals to be practiced. It is not easy to define what in one human group is part of the belief, in another collective can be considered completely irrational.
Religious often adopt mysticism, which can be defined as a maximum exaltation of religious feeling, as a way of life, assuming in this case a pattern of behavior that brings them closer to perfection, from the point of view of their belief. They also seek a spiritual union with God. They usually achieve it through intuition and ecstasy, especially through rituals.
However, it sometimes happens that the religious person builds a judgment about reality that is not shared by other members of his belief. This judgment becomes immutable and increasingly intense. When there is a mystical illusion, the person is stubborn with that judgment. This stubbornness leads the person to states of great concern and anxiety.
Those who suffer from a mystical illusion begin to orient their whole life towards their belief, which is abnormal and far from the ordinary. She stops studying, working and living a life that can be considered “normal. “It is common for his reasoning to be based on hallucinations or pseudo-hallucinations, that is, altered perceptions of reality.
Although this may seem somewhat paradoxical, the mystical illusion represents an attempt to reconnect with reality. Before him, there is a strong rupture in the psychic life of the person. In general, it is often perceived that the person has experienced a buildup of pain. It cannot deal with that suffering and breaks down internally, so delirium is a way to restore this internal damage.
It has been established that Catholics and Christians suffering from mystical illusion generally develop content related to guilt and atonement, while Jews tend to suffer more delusions related to the presence of nocturnal demons.
In addition to the delirant content, the fundamental thing is that it significantly affects the lives of those who suffer from it, causes great suffering and leads to false judgments about reality, isolates it and prevents it from leading a functional life.
Intervention on mystical illusion, as well as other forms of illusion, is not easy, in general those affected resist treatment because they see external interventions as an interference with divine plans, so it is often necessary to perform prolonged treatment and, almost always, with slow results.
Psychiatry and medication can help mitigate some of the effects of delirium, such as excessive anxiety or the appearance of hallucinations, when they exist; in addition, its scope is limited. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is a way to provide information that improves a person’s adaptation and a more sensitive organization of their beliefs.
The environment in which the person lives is also essential. Ideally, the family and the people who are part of this environment receive psychoeducation in order to cope with the situation, understanding, affection and stimulation are also crucial, treatment is intended for the person to lead a less painful and balanced life life It is always possible to do so.