Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 9, No. 1, 1992, Page 55
Psychiatric Care
The extent of psychiatric care is reported in Tables 2 and 3. Prior to Bible school, seven
students (16%) had been in contact with a psychiatrist in four of the cases this contact was
brief due to an acute crisis, with one having been committed for three days.
Subsequent to leaving the movement, 27 former students (63%) sought psychiatric help
because of problems they attributed to their contact with Word of Life six of them had been
in need of psychiatric help prior to their involvement. In nine cases the symptoms were
moderate and required only sick leave and some medication. Eleven former students received
inpatient psychiatric care six of those were, according to Swedish law, committed to
involuntary psychiatric care.
Medication, usually benzodiazepines and antidepressants, was prescribed to 28 of the
interview group. Neuroleptics were used in 10 cases, without noticeable effect, according to
the opinion of the interviewed. Maprotilin, prescribed for panic attacks, was reported by the
patients to have had a good effect as a rule.
Table 2
Psychiatric care among former Bible school students
(N =43)
Before Bible school After Bible school
Number Percent Number Percent
Contact with a psychiatrist 7 16 27 63
Care in psychiatric clinic or mental
hospital
1 2 11 26
Table 3
Length of stay in a psychiatric clinic by former Bible school students. (A total of 11
out of 43 interviewed, or 26%, received psychiatric care.)
Length of stay Number
Less than 1 week 1
1 -4 weeks 4
1 -3 months 2
More than 3 months 4
Psychiatric Care
The extent of psychiatric care is reported in Tables 2 and 3. Prior to Bible school, seven
students (16%) had been in contact with a psychiatrist in four of the cases this contact was
brief due to an acute crisis, with one having been committed for three days.
Subsequent to leaving the movement, 27 former students (63%) sought psychiatric help
because of problems they attributed to their contact with Word of Life six of them had been
in need of psychiatric help prior to their involvement. In nine cases the symptoms were
moderate and required only sick leave and some medication. Eleven former students received
inpatient psychiatric care six of those were, according to Swedish law, committed to
involuntary psychiatric care.
Medication, usually benzodiazepines and antidepressants, was prescribed to 28 of the
interview group. Neuroleptics were used in 10 cases, without noticeable effect, according to
the opinion of the interviewed. Maprotilin, prescribed for panic attacks, was reported by the
patients to have had a good effect as a rule.
Table 2
Psychiatric care among former Bible school students
(N =43)
Before Bible school After Bible school
Number Percent Number Percent
Contact with a psychiatrist 7 16 27 63
Care in psychiatric clinic or mental
hospital
1 2 11 26
Table 3
Length of stay in a psychiatric clinic by former Bible school students. (A total of 11
out of 43 interviewed, or 26%, received psychiatric care.)
Length of stay Number
Less than 1 week 1
1 -4 weeks 4
1 -3 months 2
More than 3 months 4
