Demonic possession...Mental illness or actual event
By JenInTN
@JenInTN (27514)
United States
April 17, 2009 6:08pm CST
I've watched a couple of movies that are based on actual events and understand that the act of exorcism is an actual ritual. I have also read that most mental professionals claim that it's mental illness that causes the behaviors of the "possessed". They say that because they believe the demon has been cast out is why they are better after having the ritual done. So what do you think? Do you think that it's mental illness or do you think that people can actually become possessed?
10 people like this
31 responses
@Awen_Eldorath (107)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I suspect a combination of both; I also think that possesion may be more likely in some, while in others mental illness is the most likely cause. As I understand, the Catholic church requires in-depth research into any alleged possesion situation, including a psychological evaluation of the victim/patient. To me, taking a primarily scientific approach first makes most sense to rule out mundane physical, mental, and/or psychological causes. Interestingly though, unresolved mundane issues can develop into psychic problems in much the same way that every day stressors can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression--this could potentially include possesion. Issues that evolve in this manner can create "holes" in the aura, which present "openings" for other (presumably unbalanced or otherwise alien [forgein]) influences to take hold of the individual, which could in turn result in a possesion or similar experience. Dion Fortune's book, _Psychic Self-Defense_ offers a very throughouh look at taking such an approach to possibly occult-related experiences, and offers some very basic protective measures one can take. Banishing rituals such as the Lesser Banishing of the Pentagram are highly effective when used daily in providing the practitioner with psychic protection. I am not an expert on the Catholic Rite of Exorcism per se, but I would not recommend performing any such ritual unless the person doing so is well experienced in the ceremony.
2 people like this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Apr 09
And so these things are ways to protect yourself from being possessed. I can see that one could lead to the other. I will definately check out this book you've suggested. But I have to ask..are these banishing rituals and protection measures to protect against possession or just for spirits in general? Thanks for responding and take care.
1 person likes this
@Awen_Eldorath (107)
• United States
20 Apr 09
A commonly given response is that the purpose of the LBRP is to "cleanse oneself and one's environs". It is, by nature, a banishing ritual but it also has cleansing and even healing effects, especially when practiced regularly over time. It also acts as a form of moving meditation, which has innumerable benefical results in and of itself. There is a great deal more that can be said about this and similar rituals, but I don't want to stray too far off topic, lol. As Anora mentioned, you should be able to find a great deal of information on banishing rituals such as the LBRP by simply doing a quick online search. Happy hunting!
Namaste.
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Jen-
I believe in both. I don't feel I'm personally qualified to perform exorcisms, and have not been asked to at this point in my high priestess duties. I have however read books on exorcism, one of them written by a priest for the layman. From what I've read it's a bit of both. The person being exorcised has to want to be exorcised (if indeed demonic possession is found to be the case). From what I've read about the Catholic Church's stand on exorcism, they go through rigors to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt it's a true possession and not a mental illness. And it's not done by just anyone, they do have priests who specialize in psychology.
Anyhow, most of the movies are based upon possessions that turned out to be hoaxes. Of course, with records being sealed at the Vatican one will never know of any documented exorcisms without permissions. It's not like the church is publishing their activities online or in the paper for all to know about.
I think that it's very possible for mental illness to mimic a true possession, and for a true possession to mimic a mental illness. I think that is why care must be taken to rule out both.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Hi Anora! thanks for the input. I hope you don't mind my asking..but what is a high priestess? I am in no way trying to be disrespectful when I ask.I'm just really curious. I actually related the ritual of exorcism to the catholic religion but when I looked on youtube and read up on it a bit..well..it seems to be a worldwide ritual and not limited to the catholics. Some of the footage was Islamic. I don't know if everyone else is as secretive about practicing it as the catholics are though. Thanks for your input on this. I agree that mental illness and possession could be hard to determine at times.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I run the group my husband and I co-founded. We're both pagan, but my husband started the paradigm that we teach from and I was initiated early on, studied, and eventually was initiated as High Priestess. I now can teach other women in the area of the priestess and initiate them as priestesses.
The Catholic Church is, from what I've read, the only church sanctioned to perform exorcisms legally. I'm sure anyone can perform them, but even the book I read by the priest designed to teach people how to perform them, this isn't a light matter. Demons themselves are very much by nature deceivers. The old addage "If you command them they must tell you who they are", well it doesn't quite work that way. They will feed upon your every weakness, and try to exploit that during the exorcism. The person themselves must also want to let go of the demon, if not no amount of prayer, etc will work.
I think Hollywood has put too much of a spin on the entire thing that has made it seems like "Child's Play", pardon the pun. I know that there are other religions that do exorcisms, but in America I'm pretty sure the only one's that can legally do them are the Catholics. Now, if you are speaking about Voodoo or Hoodoo, now that is an entirely other ball of wax so to speak.
Voodoo often has ritualistic possession by the Lao, controlled yet not controlled. Yet that is so far from the possession you are speaking about, and a very lengthy discussion.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Apr 09
This is an awesome discussion. I've wondered about mental illnesses vs the spirit worlds myself. I don't know how you would tell the difference!
I respect peoples different beliefs about "ghosts" "spirits" etc.
I also know there ARE mental illnesses out there.
The one question that I wonder about regularly is people who are schizophrenic.
My understanding is that schizophrenia is when people "hear voices" or see people that aren't there...
Then there are people who believe they see ghosts etc.
I wonder if there are psychiatrists out there who believe in ghosts. I imagine there has to be at least SOME who do...
How do you tell the difference?
exorcism is another situation that brings up the same questions for me.
I'm going to be interested to see what other responses you receive.
Personally, I don't know how to tell the difference!
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Apr 09
It is very touchy. Thanks for your enthusiasm! I do wonder if professional believe too. I'm hoping one will answer. It would be next to impossible to determine the two and alot of people here think that they go hand in hand and are one of the same. I think there is a difference in the two but who knows how you could tell. Thanks for the response.
@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Apr 09
I think that each individual situation needs to be looked at. I think demon possession is rare but a true occurance. I think most of the time it is a mental illness and has to be evaluated and approached on that basis. If you have seen these movies you might want to read the books as well. They usually are more in depth and really tell it like it is.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@acekala (163)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I agree. In the case of Catholic exorcism a number of criteria need to be met including medical/psych evaluations religious conviction etc before its even done. I know Malachi Martin had written a number of books on the subject his most popular I think was Hostage to the Devil.
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@syankee525 (6261)
• United States
19 Apr 09
well im up for a toss on this one, i do have a mentall illness call bipolar and a peronaly thing too. but i dont ask nothing like that. i know there is some mental illness where people do have multi personalty i seen this one lady all 15 of her came out.
but i think the devil could take over other body and sould.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Apr 09
My grandmother used to be a nurse in a mental hospital when I was little. It intrigued me and so I studied a little on the subject. I have read of personality disorders in which people have multiple personalitys. It would be hard to determine if it were an illness or a case of possession. I think there is definatly a difference in the two. I just don't know how someone could figure out which it was unless they were open to the thought of it. Funny thing that bugs me is that the cases of possession I have read about have been children(pre-puberty) and the most devoted followers. Strange. Thanks for the input.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
18 Apr 09
By mental professionals I presume you mean psychiatrists and psychologists and the like, in which case, I think their claims (The mental professionals) are hokum
all the best urban
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@urbandekay (18278)
•
18 Apr 09
Lumnata, well the case is different with medical doctors, their treatments demonstrably work. I think there is little evidence for the success of psychiatrists and psychologists and that there treatments are based on misconceptions.
Jetntn, I think psychiatrists and psychologists are hokum
all the best urban
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@ElicBxn (63394)
• United States
17 Apr 09
I had a co-worker who seemed to have one disaster after another. Another co-worker thought she needed an exercisism and asked if I could do one. Well, being the only practicing Orthodox or Catholic I guess I was sort of elected.
Well, as a matter of fact, we had a lay exercisism in one of our church publications and I got a blessed cross, holy water and the lay exercisism and one day, during lunch, we preformed it.
It was like the world turned around. She got a job, her ex - who had been stalking her - quit stalking her. She stopped having one car accident after another.
Yes, I believe in exercisisms, and I knew someone who joined a church after witnessing one at the State Mental Hospital.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Wow...so you actually done one. I thought that it was limited to the Catholic religion but as I surfed youtube..I saw a lot that were islamic rituals as well. Alot of the cases I have read about have been possessions of innocent or devote people. I don't really understand that but who am I to understand..lol..Thanks for the response! Oh..were they actually performing an exorcism at a mental hospital?
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
18 Apr 09
Lets just say," When a person allows demonic Thoughts a place in their life, its entirely possible to be possessed." This is a very common thing, but not generally understood. It happens every day and we see it as we watch the evening news on TV. Some guy ( under the influence) kills his wife. We have all been under the influence but we don't kill our spouses. The guy who does, is under the possession of a demonic spirit. He has allowed this alien Spirit a place in his mind, to such an extent that he is firmly in its command. The Scientific name for it is ,"Mental Illness." The religious name is "Demonic Possession."
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I thin that perhaps there is such a thing as demonic possession and there is such a thing as mental illness. I think they are different, but I think it's easy to confuse the two and I think there are many people who only believe in one or the other and I think that's a mistake. I think many people are treated incorrectly because the people that they seek help from give no merit to the "other" possibilities.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I see what your saying. I do think that good and evil tend to "work" through people at times. The strange thing about the possessions I've read about have been children or very loyal followers. That strikes me as strange. Thanks for the input.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
18 Apr 09
girl, u better quit watching those wierd movies. lol. i guess i think it's a mental illness. i don't really think people can becone possessed. strange things happen tho.
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
18 Apr 09
well i dont know what i believe as far as demons.. i believe some one can be possessed by like evil spirits (ghosts etc)
but as far as your question i DO think a lot can be explained by mental problems or maybe even people having seizures etc and not be a spiritual thing.. some people are so weak minded and open to suggestion that i think they may think they have something possessing them and if some one they truly believe says the demons are gone i seriously think some people may be "cured" because they seriously believe in it enough.. my dad has done some exoricisms and i seriously think some (not all but im for sure that some) were just faking for attention.. but thats just my opinion..
since i love studying psychological problems and medical problems i can see how a LOT of them could have been mistaken but when i am wondering though is that if it is a medical or psychological thing then why does it not come back a lot?? which is why i cant fully rule it out (demons) unless like i said the person was like seriously just fooling themselves into thinking they had a problem to begin with..
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
19 Apr 09
no my dad is more non denominational but has been methodist and baptist in the past.. i know wiccans have things about exorcism in their books but i never really looked at it.. i think pretty much every religion does..
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Hi moonlitmagikchild! It is definately something to think about. I have studied mental illness as well and know the two would be hard to diagnose if possession were truely an issue. I also know what you mean about the exorcism working because the person believes it so strongly. I'm like you..I'm not sure I believe it but I'm not ruling it out. I wanted to post a video of an exorcism that I found on youtube but it was nine minutes long. Most of the good ones were at least that long. There was one an hour long. I also found that exorcism is not limited to Catholics. Is your father Catholic? The videos I saw were Islamic! Surprised me really.Thanks for the input.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@sanuanu (11235)
• India
19 Apr 09
Since I have watched a movie named "Bhul Bhulaiya" (bollywood), I strongly believe that human mind is the strongest spirit in this world. It can do something extra ordinary things. This movies has shown that how complex a mind can become that a person can speak languages which they never learned in their life.
So, my faith is that the spirit is inside human body!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Hi sanuanu! Sorry I wasn't so clear. I'm talking about a person being taken over by say a spirit or devil. Some people think this is possible and I was wondering what everyone hear thought about it. I watched a video on youtube of an exorcism and it made me wonder if their body was really taken over or if they had a mental problem.
1 person likes this
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@Dday50627 (359)
• United States
18 Apr 09
this is a subject that i am well versed on. Personal experience has given me a knowing of these things. May I start by saying that to "tinker" in things not known is a dangerous place to be, so on some subjects, one might carefully answer the question so as not to lead someone astray.
Demon possesion has been around since the beginning of time. Many today seem to believe that only a few select religions have the corner market on the subject. Movies, made by idiots that walked whewre the should have ran such as the Exocist or Dameon exagerate and at the same time offer insight to the issue, though they leave a lot to simply be pondered. There are many that say that mental illness is caused by Satan and not chemicals. Well, I guess that can be argued on any level but the truth is that Demon possesion has many faces. I grew up in a place that fully believed and understood possesion. I watched no less than 30 "casting outs." We did not call them exorcisms. The bible says to "cast them out of one" as Jesus did when he cast the demons into a herd of pigs and caused them to run off a cliff.
Demon possesion can come to one in many ways. Sometimes yes, it simply appears as though the person is "crazy." There are many in hospitals that could be freed by prayer. A man here said he himself exorcised demons and helped a person. I think that if that indeed did happen then he needs to give the praise and Glory to the one that is truly responsible. We do nothing such as this without Our Father in Heaven making it happen. We would have many Elders praying over one person and taking care that through prayer and belief were those people I saw freed made right again.
I saw frogs come from peoples mouths and people acting as a dog before being freed. It was a learning that has stayed with me for a lifetime and left me knowing that Satan takes on many forms here on Earth and that only through God can they be saved. Demon possesion absolutely exists and casting out or exorcisms can free a person of this possesion. It is important that I say here that this is not a subject to be taken lightly nor approached by just anyone. There needs to be knowledgeable people involved and people that have teachings of this in their life.
I have spent a lifetime knowing these things and I will boldly say I would NOT attempt such a thing myself. I don't have the confidence to take on such a thing as powwerful as this. I am not Catholic but as I said in the beginning, many religions and beliefs follow demon possesion. I am raised pentecostal but we are a non denominational people that believe that whatever your religions name is, if you have ears tohear and a desire to grow, then the doors are open. Jesus did for the Gentiles just as he did for Jews. He did not discriminate nor does he today. His words speak this in him saying "Where ever 2 or more are gathered in my name, there shall I also be." This also gives creedance to my words that no one man should ever take on this task by himself. He shpuld have the backing of the church when he does so.
Do I think mental illness is demon possesion??? I think that it can be manifest in such a way. I think that as things that are good happen from our Father God, so do some bad things happen because of Satan. I believe that Satan can put things in our hearts and minds to cause us to do wrong things. No sane nor everyday man goes out and kills violently or rapes innocent without the influence of Satan. THAT, I Do believe. So just because you have a chemical disorder does NOT mean you are possesed. It means you have a chemical disorder. Darrel
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@Dday50627 (359)
• United States
18 Apr 09
you wonder why the young and the faithful are afflicted more often than non-believers...The answer is really simple. The young are influential and easily manipulated. As for the believers, that is answered this way. If you do not believe, if you do not go forth and spread the Gospel, then you are no real threat to Satan. He wants those that might bring others to God or may turn others towards good. Those are the ones Satan targets and the ones he will try and possess. I hope that helps some. Always , Darrel
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Thank you very much for your insight on this. I do know that this has been an issue for as long as time has been recorded. Whether it be from the bible or documented by individuals. I by no means take such a thing lightly. I also believe that bodies can be vessels in which good and evil "work" through and at one time or another I would bet that each of us has been it's pawn. I have realized that it is not only Catholics that practice this ritual but ligions and people around the world. I wonder though why it is that innocents and devoted followers are the ones hthat are more inflicted than others by possession. I understand what you are saying about the degree of possession that one can experience. Some are momentary and others may need to be "cast" out. I think that mental disorders are a different matter as well but in this day and time it would be hard to determine between the two. We are educated in matters we have never understood before and medicine takes predominence to the old ways. In most..that is. Thanks again for the response and I look forward to hearing more from you.
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
19 Apr 09
When I was younger (about 15) I went through a series of incidents with demons. I knew very little about demons or demonic possession at the time... I never even saw the Exorcist. But I was struggling with my faith. The first encounter I actually experienced a levitated rapture. It was really quite amazing. After that, I regularly was attacked by demons, I could feel their hands holding me down and shaking me and I was not able to speak. Some would say that it probably was a seizure, but I was 100% conscious and my eyes were wide open. I could feel the hands grabbing me, and I could sense the evil, just as I sensed it in levitation. At first I thought that I must be dreaming, even though I ironically barely remember my dreams. Not to mention the fact that I never had a seizure before the demon attacks started or after they stopped. After it continued happening, I started doing research, and found that many Saints experienced levitated rapture, and most of the Biblical accounts of demons involved seizure-like episodes. I was never possessed though, just attacked. And I never went to a church leader because I was too scared. It actually ended up being a huge confirmation of faith for me, and as my faith grew stronger the attacks stopped. I am no longer haunted by demons.
The funny thing is that a lot of the things that happened to "Emily Rose" in the movie also happened to me years before the movie came out.
Anyway, my advice to anyone who senses demons is to immediately pray to God to remove the demons in the name of Jesus. Trust me and trust God, it will work.
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Wow! Sounds like a movie! I have read that the innocents and people of faith are often victems of possession. It good that you only experienced the attacks instead of a full take over. And you say the attacks stopped after you regained confidence in your faith..wow. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
@ketybhagat (4123)
• India
23 Apr 09
I think it is possible to be possessed by sprits, those who have unfulfilled desires and wants to fulfill that desire through some other body. They may be bad sprits, and mostly bad sprits take possession. Yes, I have seen movies of exhorting evil sprits by different religions, be in Christian, Muslim or Hindu. Mostly this is done by Muslims. It happens and the poor person suffers a lot. It eerie and I would not wish in on my worst enemy.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Apr 09
Hi ketybhagat! Thanks for your input. I didn't even realize it was a common ritual by the Muslim until I started researching the videos on youtube. They are almost all from India. I always though it was mostly the Catholic religion that practiced exorcism. Shows how much I know..LOL...I do know that it is a very secretive ritual among the Catholics who practice it. Take care.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
23 Apr 09
Well, for the most part mental illness and demonic posession are two different things. What causes the confusion is that many people who are mentally ill can appear as if they are demonically posessed under the right emotional circumstances.
Personally, I think that the people who think the mentally ill are all posessed are idiots and have no clue whatsoever as to the true nature of mental illness.
It is a fact that people can be posessed. It's in the Bible and as a born again Christian I do believe this, but, it is important to understand that mental illness is NOT denomic posession. People who believe any different are very ignorant.
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Apr 09
Hi kellyjeanne! I think they were saying that maybe possession could..under certain circumstances cause someone to be mentally ill. I think everyone realizes there is definately a difference between the two. There were a couple of people that said it might even be both at the same time. There's a lot of possiblities where this is concerned. I don't know that I could ever really understand it unless I were exposed to someone that were possessed..lol..sure not wanting that to happen. Thanks for responding.
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
23 Apr 09
I think it depends on certain factors. For instance, does the affected person speak in a language he/she never learned? I don't think a mentally ill person could do that, but a demon possessed person might since it's the demon speaking through the person rather than the person speaking. Also, feats of strength that are beyond a human's ability might be another indication of demon possession. Since Satan is in the world, demon possession is possible. However, I believe most of the situations are mental illness.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Apr 09
Thanks for the input! Those are good points to bring up. Those are not commonly things that people that are mentally ill do. I think it would definately take a lot of research to be sure if it were one or the other but I don't rule possession out at all. Take care.
@neerajpandey_13 (1765)
• India
21 Apr 09
I don't belive on this type of thing. But I belive on magic. I think God exist in this world. Due to presence of God this world runs. God always do magic so that everybody can believe on them.
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I don't believe people are possessed.There are people that do.I think sometime they are just mean. Good night
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I have met a few that was just plain mean and I bet you have to.Have a good night
![](/Content/images/ajax-loader.gif)
![](/Content/images/loading.gif)