PhD Scientific Days 2025

Neurosciences

The Relationship Between Religiosity, Religious Experiences and Epilepsy

Name of the presenter

Janszky József

Institute/workplace of the presenter

University of Pécs, Clinical Centre, Department of Psychiatry

Authors

József Janszky Jr¹, Tamás Tényi¹, Réka Horváth², József Janszky Sr.²

1: University of Pécs, Clinical Centre, Department of Psychiatry
2: University of Pécs, Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology

Text of the abstract

Introduction
Religiosity and spiritual experiences in epilepsy have long been observed, particularly in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, their prevalence and associations with clinical and sociodemographic variables remain unclear.

Aims
To assess religiosity and religious/spiritual experiences among people living with epilepsy, and to examine their relationship with epilepsy syndrome, seizure type, and demographic factors.

Method
A total of 108 patients with epilepsy (mean age 47 years; 52% female) participated in a structured personal questionnaire-based survey. Forty-four percent had TLE. Data were analyzed based on sex, age, income, seizure type (including generalized tonic–clonic seizures), and presence of isolated auras.

Results
Twenty-seven percent of patients considered themselves explicitly religious, while 12% attended church regularly. Women (p=0.02), older individuals (p<0.01), and those with lower income (p=0.05) were significantly more religious. No association was found between religiosity and anxiety or depression. Patients experiencing regular generalized tonic–clonic seizures were less religious (p=0.02). TLE patients reported higher levels of religiosity and more frequent religious/spiritual experiences during isolated auras (p<0.001).

Conclusion
Religiosity in epilepsy is not more common than in the general population. However, it appears to be influenced by epilepsy-specific factors such as seizure type and syndrome. Distinct social and neurological variables may underlie general religiosity versus ictal religious experiences.

Funding
No external funding.