Depression and Mysticism: Case Report and Literature Review

The principal aim of this article is to explore the relationship between depression and mystical experiences. The paper begins with a discussion of definitional issues, inquiring into the meaning and interrelationship of terms such as peak experience, mystical experience, awakening experience, satori, and so forth. The case of a 68-year-old woman who underwent a profound and transformative experience while being treated for depression in the first author's psychiatric clinic is then presented as a basis for an interdisciplinary discussion and literature review pertaining to the relationship between depression and mystical experiences. After a discussion/exposition of therapeutic approaches, the paper closes with a discussion of possible future research directions.