Bipolar Disorder: Identity, Social Support, Religiosity and Spirituality. Can Religiosity/Spirituality be a Mood Balancing Factor? An Italian Case Report

J Relig Health. 2024 Feb;63(1):640-651. doi: 10.1007/s10943-023-01991-5. Epub 2024 Jan 19.

Abstract

This paper presents a case study to support the hypothesis that religiosity and spirituality (R/S), as mood balancing factors, could facilitate the recovery process for patients suffering from bipolar disorder (BD) once they have been stabilized and are receiving appropriate support (e.g., in a residential rehabilitative center). After a succinct review of BD and R/S, the patient's medical history and rehabilitation pathway are described, with a particular focus on the role played by R/S. The authors found that in this case, once the patient was stabilized, R/S helped to consolidate her feelings of well-being, increasing her positive perception of social support services and ultimately her self-confidence.

Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Identity; Rehabilitation outcomes; Religiosity/Spirituality; Social support.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bipolar Disorder*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Religion
  • Social Identification
  • Social Support
  • Spirituality*