When will the American Psychiatric Association (APA) add religion to the list of treatable illnesses?

Question

Religion is a delusion.The definition of a delusion clearly implies religion.Here is the definition:

delusion /de·lu·sion/ (de-loo´zhun) an idiosyncratic false belief that is firmly maintained in spite of incontrovertible and obvious proof or evidence to the contrary.

de·lu·sion
n.
A false belief strongly held in spite of invalidating evidence, especially as a symptom of mental illness.


Source:
The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 2nd Edition

Doesn't that just about cover the definition of religion?The next step should be treatment, shouldn't it?

Answer 1

Interesting, if somewhat inflammatory, question: I agree that religion is chock full of delusional thinking and irrational beliefs. However, given that all human beings are prone to some level of delusional thinking, even if only in the form of rationalizations...it doubtful that beliefs alone would automatically qualify one for a trip to the quiet room. Rather, the behavior that results from extreme delusional thinking (and gets the attention of the authorities) is what qualifies one for a trip to the "happy farm." For example, people who picket schools that teach evolution may qualify under this definition.

Answer 2

" In spite of incontrovertible and obvious proof or evidence to the contrary " lol okay when you find proof that God doesn't exist I'll be waiting

Answer 3

Well, the APA changes its opinions as often as people change the oil in their car.

Until 1974, homosexuality was listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders by the APA. What changed? There were enough homosexual psychiatrists who got it voted out.

I actually do expect that what you said will eventually come to pass.

Answer 4

They will add it to the list at the same time they add whatever you are suffering from. I'm amazed that you think the 5 BILLION religious people in the world are mentally ill.

Answer 5

trying to treat people in religion is a waste of time;

Universal Truth eliminated religion from Spirituality !

Here's the Solution for religion:

Create a Private, Personal, Direct, Divine Relationship with Our Creator and save Your Soul from religion's and atheist's beliefs and start Your journey back home, to Heaven.

<<<<<<< UnConditional Love is the only answer >>>>>>>

Love and Believe in Our Creator;
Love and Believe in Yourself.

Only with Our Creator's Love and Peace will we be Truly Free!

Answer 6

For politically correct reasons they don't include it. But seriously there are a large number of people I know of in the field of Psychiatry and Psychology that already regard religion as a form of mental illness.

I will ring your doorbell and run away!!!

Answer 7

It is interesting that they used to have homosexuality listed as an illness untill too many shrinks started showing up being homosexuals then they just slunk it out of the textbooks like it was ok because so many of them were gay.

This is the truth---look it up

Answer 8

Considering the definition of religion, I'd say you need to check in the nearest psychward for a complete mental evaluation. How stupid and ignorant some people need to be is the real mystery.

Answer 9

Was tempted to answer: " probably never, as it's not treatable";))))))))))))))

Seriously, I'm Atheist but I do respect believers and believe that everyone has the right to believe/not believe in whatever makes them feel better; just live and let live;)

Answer 10

The definition of a mental illness is that it has to be maladaptive, unjustifiable, atypical, and disturbing.

Being religious if typical. It has to meet all four to count.