Since the development of sophisticated medical knowledge, the belief in demonic possession has decreased.
An individual is characterized as possessed if they have :
- strange physical ailments or disfigurements
- verbal outbursts, mostly obscene or sacrilegious in nature
- violent behavior and vulgar behavior
- ability to speak languages never before studied
- self-mutilation;
- "superhuman" abilities such as psychic abilities and levitation
(http://hem1.passagen.se/conclave/Exorcis1.txt)
The expansion of the fields of medicine and psychology has led to diagnoses other than demonic possession. Nevertheless, a few cases of possession do seem to come up from time to time, and the Roman Catholic Church does continue to perform exorcisms.
Demonic possession cases are now readily explained in terms of abnormal functioning in the brain and the nervous system. These include schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, and Tourette syndrome.
Demonic possession cases are now readily explained in terms of abnormal functioning in the brain and the nervous system. These include schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, and Tourette syndrome.
Treatment of "Demonic Possession"
According to The Roman Catholic Church's official diagnostic criteria a genuine demonic possession includes speaking in tongues or languages formerly unfamiliar to the possessed person, supernatural physical strength, and visibly negative reactions of the victim to prayers, holy water, priests, etc.
But for the modern Church, physical and/or psychiatric disorders must first be ruled out.
From a psychiatric perspective, the problem with such criteria is that these phenomena can be found in many mental disorders, including dissociative and psychotic disorders of various sorts.
But according to Diamond (2011), another way of looking at this same possession syndrome is that in such cases what we are seeing are the most extreme and treatment resistant states of mind manifested in patients who may truly believe themselves to be demonically possessed.
So, the best way to treat a person who is suffering from from this state of mind, is to integrate their religious beliefs into psychotherapy.
Diamond (2011) believes that psychotherapy should strive toward integrating patients religious beliefs into psychotherapy so that a more meaningful psychological and spiritual understanding of themselves and the world can occur. Without such a meaning-centered, spiritually sensitive secular psychotherapy, exorcism is seen to be their only hope .
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/201102/exorcism-psychotherapy-clinical-psychologist-examines-so-called-demonic-posse?page=2
For the first time in four centuries, the Vatican has updated its manual on exorcism.
The revision cautions exorcists that great care must be taken not to confuse mental illness with spiritual possessions, which it deems to be rare.
According to many in both the psychiatric and theological fields, those who can be helped by exorcism most often fall into the psychological diagnosis of multiple personality caused by severe trauma-usually deliberate or accidental abuse.
Dr. George Frazer of Royal Ottawa Hospital, for example, recently concluded a study of eight patients who believed they were possessed.
But for the modern Church, physical and/or psychiatric disorders must first be ruled out.
From a psychiatric perspective, the problem with such criteria is that these phenomena can be found in many mental disorders, including dissociative and psychotic disorders of various sorts.
But according to Diamond (2011), another way of looking at this same possession syndrome is that in such cases what we are seeing are the most extreme and treatment resistant states of mind manifested in patients who may truly believe themselves to be demonically possessed.
So, the best way to treat a person who is suffering from from this state of mind, is to integrate their religious beliefs into psychotherapy.
Diamond (2011) believes that psychotherapy should strive toward integrating patients religious beliefs into psychotherapy so that a more meaningful psychological and spiritual understanding of themselves and the world can occur. Without such a meaning-centered, spiritually sensitive secular psychotherapy, exorcism is seen to be their only hope .
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evil-deeds/201102/exorcism-psychotherapy-clinical-psychologist-examines-so-called-demonic-posse?page=2
For the first time in four centuries, the Vatican has updated its manual on exorcism.
The revision cautions exorcists that great care must be taken not to confuse mental illness with spiritual possessions, which it deems to be rare.
According to many in both the psychiatric and theological fields, those who can be helped by exorcism most often fall into the psychological diagnosis of multiple personality caused by severe trauma-usually deliberate or accidental abuse.
Dr. George Frazer of Royal Ottawa Hospital, for example, recently concluded a study of eight patients who believed they were possessed.
"It turns out they all suffered from psychiatric illnesses," he notes. "When you can't explain patients by psychiatric means and are desperate-possibly then [exorcism could be considered]. I recommend people be very cautious; mistakes can be made. They should start with a good, thorough psychological examination by a competent therapist [to determine if other therapy is advised]. Even then, I'd be loath to recommend exorcism."
Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, in his book, People of the Lie: The Hope for Healing Human Evil, acknowledges that evil is not a pleasant sight. However, he argues, ignoring it will not induce bliss. "We cannot begin to hope to heal human evil until we are able to look at it directly."
Following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Fourth Edition's acknowledgement of dissociative trance disorders (DTD) or possession disorders, efforts have been made in order to further assess its clinical utility.
Based on a study by During, Emmanuel H.; Elahi, Fanny M.; Taleb, Olivier; Moro, Marie-Rose and Baubet, Thierr (2011), researchers have found an equal proportion of female and male patients, and a predominance of possession (69%), compared with trance (31 %). Amnesia is reported by 20% of patients. Hallucinatory symptoms during possession episodes were found in 56% of patients. Thus hallucinations are an important. Somatic complaints are found in 34% of patients.
Based on their study, they have concluded that the inclusion of DTD in the DSM-5 is strongly suggested.
In another study done by Spiegel et al., 2011, they have also concluded their recommendation of Dissociative Trance Disorder being included in the Unspecified Dissociative Disorder (UDD) category of the DSM - V
Therefore, these findings show strong evidence for the existence of a type of dissociative disorder known as trance disorder or possession disorder. Possession is not due to supernatural beings inhabiting one's body, it is a state of the mind.
Following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Fourth Edition's acknowledgement of dissociative trance disorders (DTD) or possession disorders, efforts have been made in order to further assess its clinical utility.
Based on a study by During, Emmanuel H.; Elahi, Fanny M.; Taleb, Olivier; Moro, Marie-Rose and Baubet, Thierr (2011), researchers have found an equal proportion of female and male patients, and a predominance of possession (69%), compared with trance (31 %). Amnesia is reported by 20% of patients. Hallucinatory symptoms during possession episodes were found in 56% of patients. Thus hallucinations are an important. Somatic complaints are found in 34% of patients.
Based on their study, they have concluded that the inclusion of DTD in the DSM-5 is strongly suggested.
In another study done by Spiegel et al., 2011, they have also concluded their recommendation of Dissociative Trance Disorder being included in the Unspecified Dissociative Disorder (UDD) category of the DSM - V
Therefore, these findings show strong evidence for the existence of a type of dissociative disorder known as trance disorder or possession disorder. Possession is not due to supernatural beings inhabiting one's body, it is a state of the mind.