The Spiritism as therapy in the health care in the epilepsy

• Main Authors: Rodrigo Luiz Vancini, Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira, Cássia Regina Vancini-Campanharo, Dulce Aparecida Barbosa, Ricardo Mario Arida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem 2016-08-01
• Series: Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem
• Subjects: Medicina Complementaria; Epilepsia; Religiosidad; Espiritualidad; Cuidado Espiritual
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-71672016000400804&lng=en&tlng=en

ABSTRACT Objective: to present a brief history of Spiritism, the vision of epilepsy by Spiritism, and the potential of spirituality and religiosity care as complementary and coadjutants treatments in epilepsy. Method: this is a brief review about the impact of faith, spirituality, and religiosity, particularly the Spiritism philosophy as complementary treatment to neurological disorders (particularly focusing on epilepsy) and mental health. We conduct a review of published articles (about religion/spirituality and epilepsy) in the Pubmed and SciELO databases. Conclusion: the exercise of spirituality and religiosity can be a positive coping strategy to support the traditional therapy of patients with epilepsy and other neurological disorders. However, it is necessary to demystify myths and beliefs about the epilepsy and improve knowledge about this important health dimension among professionals, patients, and caregivers to explore their full treatment and supportive potential.