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Exorcism: a psychiatric viewpoint

Journal of Medical Ethics

|September 1, 1976

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study examines exorcism, its historical practice, and modern manifestations. It explores supposed demonic possession, its symptoms, social context, and psychodynamic aspects, comparing exorcism with psychiatric practices.

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Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Religious Studies
History

Background:

Exorcism, historically practiced, continues to appear in the modern world, as evidenced by cases like the Ossett case in Britain.
Demoniacal possession, though often viewed through a religious lens, has social and psychodynamic underpinnings relevant today.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the features of exorcism across historical periods and in contemporary society.
To analyze the nature, symptoms, and signs of supposed demoniacal possession.
To compare the methodologies of exorcism with modern psychiatric interventions.

Main Methods:

Historical review of exorcism practices.
Analysis of demoniacal possession symptoms and social contexts.
Comparative study of exorcism techniques and psychiatric practices.

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Main Results:

Exorcism exhibits consistent features across historical periods, with modern cases mirroring older patterns.
Demoniacal possession presents with recognizable symptoms and is influenced by social and psychodynamic factors.
Similarities exist between the approaches and underlying principles of exorcism and certain psychiatric treatments.

Conclusions:

Doctors should be aware of exorcism due to its continued presence and overlap with psychiatric concerns.
Understanding the psychodynamic and social factors of possession is crucial for a comprehensive approach.
A comparative analysis highlights potential dialogues between religious/folk practices and clinical psychology.