The Dark Night of the Soul: spiritual distress and its psychiatric implications

Authors: Dura-Vila, G.¹; Dein, S.²

Source: Mental Health, Religion & Culture, Volume 12, Number 6, September 2009 , pp. 543-559(17)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The Dark Night of the Soul is an expression describing phases in a person's spiritual life associated with a crisis of faith or spiritual concerns about the relationship with God, and which has intrinsic aspects of spiritual growth. This paper is concerned with the way in which those going through periods of angst and disillusionment do not see them as pathological phenomena. On the contrary, through a process of attribution of religious meaning they view them as opportunities for reflecting on their lives and as agents for beneficial change. Similarities and differences between the Dark Night and a depressive episode are discussed and illustrated using the accounts of five important religious figures. Their narratives have been constructed using original texts and their biographies. The Dark Night has clinical implications owing to the risk of its being pathologised, serving as a reminder of the importance of incorporating existential issues into clinical practice.

Keywords: spiritual distress; Christian mysticism; coping; religion and psychiatry

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13674670902858800

Affiliations: 1: Division of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom 2: Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom

Publication date: 2009-09-01

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