Good News!!!
"Evidence suggests that having strong spiritual or religious beliefs, however defined, can assist psychologically in fighting, and coping with, illness. Also a 2023 AP-NORC poll found that 72 percent of Americans believed in the power of prayer. Attendance at religious services has also been associated with lower risk of death, suicide and substance abuse, and less depression."
Here are some of the ways prayer and faith can affect patient health.
Brain changes: Neuroscience research shows that strong religious or spiritual beliefs are associated with thicker parts of the brain, providing neuronal reserves that can buffer against depression and despair.
Purpose: Religion and spirituality, broadly defined, provide a sense of meaning, purpose and hope.
Meaning: Many patients come to find or construct their own sources of meaning.
Social support: Religious and spiritual groups also commonly provide valuable social support and interactions."
Importantly..."These insights can potentially assist many of us in our lives, even if we don’t have a serious illness. We may get sick or know a patient who may benefit. Awareness of these insights can frequently help."
AMEN
Robert Klitzman is a psychiatrist and director of the Masters of Bioethics program at Columbia Universityhttps://sps.columbia.edu/academics/masters/bioethics