Psychiatry and Possession

[fringekitty]

Although this Mind Hacks blog post is from 2005, the article's subject may interest readers here. The post presents a case of possible possession (as described by the psychiatrists) of an individual, involving states of depersonalization, dissociation and hallucinations which were witnessed by others. The individual had been incarcerated for

Comments

[princegold]

I have alot of interest in this regarding the psychiatric case of Ronald DeFeo Jr (Amityville Murderer) He saw a psychiatrist for years and was strung out on heavy drugs. It's sort of a which came first the chicken or the egg. Are paranormal and possessions events caused more often by "mental illness" or are paranormal experiences a "psychotic part of the spirit brain" the same part, mind you where the God part of the brain is located.

Are people with schizophrenia and multiple personalities mentally ill or possessed?

[jryson]

Possession? We don't have a good working definition, AFAIK. The Purpose-filled life could be possession. Altruism. Optimism. Mental illness just provides the demon. IMHO.

[fringekitty]

You're right. I don't think a definition for possession was even attempted in the article.

[princegold]

Certainly, that makes sense.

[dangerduckie21]

It is not really that unusual in the grand scheme of things for shared hallucinations to occur between humans; it's probably at the roots of many if not all religions. I have seen it happen on a couple occasions (once during religious ceremony, and once involving LSD visuals being transferred to somebody else in the room who wasn't on drugs). Strong illusions can be transferred from an individual mind to others, especially in an extreme emotional state and particularly if the others share the same belief system/mindframe as in this case. How this occurs, I have no idea, but I don't believe this is evidence of possession so much as how amazingly perceptive the human mind can be in certain situations.

[fringekitty]

I also wonder about the idea of states of mind being a bit contagious in the sense that when someone is up and cheerful, if we're receptive, we may be influenced to become a bit more cheerful ourselves. Conversely, when someone is angry and venting, we may pick up a bit of that anger and anxiety. Perhaps the group experience is a natural extension of this tendency.

[that]

What an interesting article. Thank you for the link.

New Source for Group Hallucinations

[fringekitty]

I just ran across this 2008 article for a BIO 202: Neurobiology and Behavior course discussing a variant of "group hallucinations" which extends the ideas discussed above: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/2532

[outnorthern]

While cleaning out my grandmothers house, I actually found a cassette tape of an exorcism- the roman ritual. It was horrifying and unhuman to say the least. Good luck.

[fringekitty]

What did you think about what you heard?

Without having any experience regarding such practices, I can only imagine. From what I've read, the process involves sleep deprivation and sometimes deprivation of food as well, which can result in all kinds of unusual neurological activity. To me, it seems like the process actually induces an extreme form of dissociation where undesirable aspects of self are demonized, marginalized and supposedly eliminated, but that's my uninformed bias.

[outnorthern]

Sorry... but it was about ten years back,and non of the things you mentioned crossed my mind, but it freaked me out. My grandmother was a religeous woman, from the old country, so there was always talk of some serious heaven and hell stuff, it was pretty heavy for a kid growing up...i can tell you that.

But I believe very much in the old ways now, again. Almost as if I've come full circle about many truths. Even if it is (just) quantum physics(?).. there's merit to what, and why they believe what they believe. Like... the truth is the truth; although we might arrive at it from a different path, with a different view, and a different understanding. Maybe?

[fringekitty]

...the truth is the truth; although we might arrive at it from a different path, with a different view, and a different understanding.

Nice line! I quite agree.

And I think there is room for different perspectives to find some common ground. However, when one person or group's perspective is held to the exclusion of any other possibilities, or when attempts are made to coerce others into confessing a perspective they don't really share, it scorches that common ground.