Believing in God does not prevent you from having dark thoughts or being depressed. On the other hand, faith makes it possible to respond better to treatment for depression or to repel suicide attempts.
In the trials of life, believing in God is often presented as a chance to cope. Diseases are no exception. An American study which has just been published in the Journal of affective disorders proves that faith would be effective against psychiatric illnesses. In fact, a religious belief is obviously not the miracle cure for depression. On the other hand, “believing in god is associated with a better evolution of psychiatric disorders”. Concretely, the patients included in this study who were little or not believing had twice the risk of not responding to the treatment compared to the believing patients. The authors of the study believe that the motivations that make a person believe in God may be the same as those that make people trust treatments. Which would make them somehow more optimistic.
Such an association between religious belief and better psychological health is not unprecedented. Several scientific works have already suggested it. In another American study where patients were followed for ten years, it was observed that placing importance on religion decreased the risk of relapsing into depression. And especially for people at high risk who have a family history of depression. And people with depression are not the only ones to benefit from such an advantage. Another study, still American, published last year, seemed to show that religious practice could play a role of screen against suicide. In fact, a value system that rejects suicide would lead to fewer suicide attempts, even if people have dark thoughts.
However, this effect must be put into perspective. On the one hand, it is possible that the “belief” effect is less noticeable in France than in the United States – where this work is carried out – and where a quarter of people suffering from psychological disorders seek help from a representative of the church. On the other hand, believers may tend not to dare to report suicide attempts.
Of course, this does not mean that doctors will prescribe their patients to be believers, but psychiatrists recommend asking their patients whether they are or not. To if necessary, rely on this faith.
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