[DeFyYing]

If someone just has mania without psychosis, can they also experience sudden hyperreligiosity? I ask this because I experience both, but I had always thought that my psychosis was a more recent thing. However, I started having hyperreligiosity pretty early into my first manic episode. Basically, can hyperreligiosity be a solely manic symptom while being isolated from psychosis?

Not referring to any religious delusions or anything,simply hyperreligiosity.

[Wild Coyote]

It seems possible.


WC

I'd even say probably.

Quite a few years ago I went through such a spell. It was very much not my usual self. I wasn't dx'd at the time, but looking back, it seems I was hypomanic. The only "psychotic" symptom I experienced during those years was occassional olfactory hallucinations (rotten chicken smell), so there is no reason to believe psychosis was involved in the religiosity.

[DeFyYing]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

I'd even say probably.

Quite a few years ago I went through such a spell. It was very much not my usual self. I wasn't dx'd at the time, but looking back, it seems I was hypomanic. The only "psychotic" symptom I experienced during those years was occassional olfactory hallucinations (rotten chicken smell), so there is no reason to believe psychosis was involved in the religiosity.

Very interesting, thank you for the response! It's weird because initially it was only the hyperreligiosity I experienced that could possibly be labeled as psychotic. But I did have this one instance of thought insertion where I thought God was telling me where to go when I got lost in the woods. Other than that though just extreme hyperreligiosity, like I would pray the Rosary on the floor at partial whenever I got stressed lol

[bewise93]

I am reading a book about some of these issues. Yes it can effect some people in mania without psychosis. I read that if the temporal lobe gets overstimulated, you will feel like you are in the presence of God or God is talking to you. They did an experiment on Richard Dawkins (an avid atheist) and they stimulated his temporal lobe and he felt like he could feel God. I'm a person of faith but sometimes mania, depression, and drug use can fuel hyperreligiosity by stimulating the temporal lobe. So I think I may have just given a little too detailed of a response, but here ya go.

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by bewise93

I am reading a book about some of these issues. Yes it can effect some people in mania without psychosis. I read that if the temporal lobe gets overstimulated, you will feel like you are in the presence of God or God is talking to you. They did an experiment on Richard Dawkins (an avid atheist) and they stimulated his temporal lobe and he felt like he could feel God. I'm a person of faith but sometimes mania, depression, and drug use can fuel hyperreligiosity by stimulating the temporal lobe. So I think I may have just given a little too detailed of a response, but here ya go.

The book, Varieties of Religious Experience, by William James, gets into some of this, too. Just fyi.


WC

[wiretwister]

can hyperreligiosity be a solely manic symptom while being isolated from psychosis?

yes ... been there .. done that ...

Yes, i've been hyperreligious during mania without psychosis. Tho some think religion is a form of psychosis, just one most people agree on. Mine were enjoyable and harmless and temporary so i don't see them as problematic. If i want to go to church four times in one week, whatever! I like church!

[HALLIEBETH87]

I sometimes get that way when manic. HIGH ON LIFE And God and all things are amazing and wonderful...

but then again I also start feeling like God cured me of this and I no longer need meds too.