Spirit Possession and Dissociative Identity Disorder

Acts 16:16Acts 16:16

“One day, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling.”

ESPESP

The New Testament links spirit possession with a form of extrasensory perception (ESP).

Divination (predicting the future) in Acts 16:16.

OutlineOutline

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Dissociative Trance Disorder (DTD) Conclusions: “Personalities” or “Spirits”?

Dissociative Identity Dissociative Identity DisorderDisorder

Formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD)

It involves the appearance of two or more identities that take turns in controlling a person’s behavior.

Psychologists call the alternate identities “multiples” or “alternates” for short.

Alternates Differ In:Alternates Differ In:

Gender Age Handedness Handwriting

Alternates Differ In:Alternates Differ In:

Sexual orientation Eyeglasses prescription Foreign languages spoken

—James N. Butcher, Susan Mineka, and Jill M. Hooley, Abnormal Psychology. Thirteenth Edition (Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc., 2007), 299.

SymptomsSymptoms

Depression Self-mutilation Frequent suicidal attempts Moodiness Erratic behavior

More SymptomsMore Symptoms

Headaches Hallucinations Substance abuse Post-traumatic symptoms

CauseCause

Psychiatrists and psychologists generally hold to the position that traumatic childhood experiences in a person’s life cause a person to develop DID.

However, researchers also acknowledge that not all DID cases are rooted in abusive childhood experiences.

–Eugene L. Bliss, M.D., Multiple Personality, Allied Disorders, and Hypnosis (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1986), 137.

““Alternates”: Coping Alternates”: Coping ToolsTools

Patients allegedly develop alternate personalities to cope with their bad memories of trauma.

The new personalities remember the events, but the main personality does not.

Cause?Cause?

However, researchers also acknowledge that not all DID cases are rooted in abusive childhood experiences.

–Eugene L. Bliss, M.D., Multiple Personality, Allied Disorders, and Hypnosis (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1986), 137.

Researcher MA Simpson Researcher MA Simpson States:States:

“There is no convincing evidence that MPD is a naturally occurring condition, let alone a distinct diagnosis.”

Simpson MA, Multiple personality disorder (letter). J Nerv Ment Dis 176:535, 1988, quoted in Carol S. North, M.D., Jo-Ellyn M. Ryall, M.D., Daniel A. Ricci, C.M., A.C.S.W., Richard D. Wetzel, Ph.D., Multiple Personalities, Multiple Disorders Psychiatric Classification and Media Influence (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993), 35.

Is It a Real Condition?Is It a Real Condition?

Psychiatrists and psychologists debate among themselves regarding whether or not Dissociative Identity Disorder is even a real mental disorder.

Some DID Patients:Some DID Patients:

“Had inclinations toward the occult as well as toward parapsychological and metaphysical phenomena.”

—Multiple Personalities, Multiple Disorders Psychiatric Classification and Media Influence (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993), 151.

DID and Paranormal DID and Paranormal PhenomenaPhenomena

Psychokinesis ESP (including clairvoyance) Astral travel (out-of-body-experiences) Poltergeist activities

—Multiple Personalities, Multiple Disorders Psychiatric Classification and Media Influence, 151.

DID and Paranormal DID and Paranormal PhenomenaPhenomena

Alleged contact with ghosts Automatic handwriting

—Multiple Personalities, Multiple Disorders Psychiatric Classification and Media Influence (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993), 20.

Extrasensory Extrasensory Perception Symptoms:Perception Symptoms:

“Should not be enshrined as first-rank symptoms of MPD, but are worthy of serious study by mainstream psychiatry.”

—Colin A. Ross, M.D., Multiple Personality Disorder Diagnosis, Clinical Features, and Treatment (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1989), 108.

Locally Described Locally Described Dissociative Phenomena in Dissociative Phenomena in

Uganda:Uganda: “Going into another state of mind and talking

in languages people had not learned before. Later, they don’t remember talking in those languages.”

(Marjolein Van Duijl, Etzel Cardeña and Joop T. V. M. De Jong, “The Validity of DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders Categories in South-West Uganda,” in Transcult Psychiatry, 2005; Issue 42; Page 227).

Dissociative Identity Dissociative Identity Disorder?Disorder?

“Western-type psychiatric and biomedical treatment of the condition often remains ineffective.”

—Felicitas D. Goodman, How About Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World (Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1988), 84.

Dissociative Identity Dissociative Identity Disorder?Disorder?

In some situations exorcisms are quite effective treatments.

—Felicitas D. Goodman, How About Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World, 84.

DID Patient: CarrieDID Patient: Carrie

Psychiatrist Ralph B. Allison has occasionally encountered “entities in his work with multiples that acted anomalously. Their ‘birth’ could not be pinpointed, they served no recognizable purpose, and quite frequently they referred to themselves as spirits.”

—Felicitas D. Goodman, How About Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World, 84.

DID Patient: CarrieDID Patient: Carrie

One of Allison’s DID patients, Carrie, manifested a considerably violent and aggressive personality. This alternate personality “screamed obscenities, had superhuman strength, and was viciously aggressive.”

—Felicitas D. Goodman, How About Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World, 85.

DID Patient: CarrieDID Patient: Carrie

Carrie committed suicide before Allison could effectively help her.

—Felicitas D. Goodman, How About Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World, 85.

DID SynopsisDID Synopsis

DID may or may not be a real disorder. There may be genuine cases. Psychiatrists, however, may have

misdiagnosed some of their patients. Their patients might be suffering from another

disorder altogether….

Dissociative Trance Dissociative Trance Disorder (DTD)Disorder (DTD)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (4th ed., 1994) lists Dissociative Trance Disorder as a proposed topic for further study.

Also known as “Trance and Possession Disorder”

This diagnosis requires the presence of either a trance state or a possession trance state.

Possession Trance Possession Trance StateState

The presence of an altered state of consciousness, in which a person’s normal identity is replaced by a new identity attributed to the influence of a spirit or deity.

The term possession trance only applies to trance disorders that lead to distress or dysfunction.

Dissociative Trance Dissociative Trance DisorderDisorder

DTD shares clinical symptoms with DID, most commonly an altered state of consciousness with an identity.

These are, however, two distinct disorders. DTD patients generally do not suffer from

traumatic childhood experiences.

ResearchersResearchers

Stefano Ferracuti Roberto Sacco Renato Lazzari At: Department of Psychiatry and

Psychological Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”

Patient DemographicsPatient Demographics

All lived in Italy. The authors contacted the official exorcist of

the Rome diocese. 16 people who participated in exorcisms were

invited to participate in this study. 10 accepted the invitation.

Patient DemographicsPatient Demographics

Their ages ranged from 26 to 60 years. The interviews occurred 7 to 10 days after the

behavior observed during exorcism. The participants were White and Roman

Catholic practitioners.

Psychiatric Treatment…Psychiatric Treatment…

2 people had received a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had been treated with neuroleptics.

5 had received pharmacological treatment for recurrent depression.

1 had a possible diagnosis of “epilepsy” as a child.

……FailedFailed

“They all claimed that psychiatric treatment had done nothing for their symptoms whereas the religious rituals had brought some improvement. Nearly all of them said that exorcism helped to keep the demon under control so that it pestered them less after the session.” — “Dissociative Trance Disorder: Clinical and Rorschach Findings in Ten Persons Reporting Demon Possession and Treated by Exorcism,” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 528.

Paranormal Paranormal BackgroundsBackgrounds

“They also described having paranormal experiences, such as ‘spirits’ moving things around in the home, misfortune, and unexplainable nausea and vomiting.”

— “Dissociative Trance Disorder: Clinical and Rorschach Findings in Ten Persons Reporting Demon Possession and Treated by Exorcism,” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 527.

““High Percentage of High Percentage of Paranormal Paranormal

Experiences”Experiences” “The DDIS” (psychological test) “also showed

that the 10 participants reported a high percentage of paranormal experiences, notably diverse forms of extrasensory perception, and contact with ghosts and spirits.” — “Dissociative Trance Disorder” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 529.

““Poltergeist Poltergeist Phenomena”Phenomena”

“For cultural reasons, most participants at first claimed ignorance of poltergeist phenomena. Once the meaning had been explained, 2 participants immediately recalled having experienced similar happenings.” — “Dissociative Trance Disorder” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 529, 533.

Previous Cult Previous Cult InvolvementInvolvement

“Three participants stated that they had been possessed by a dead person in circumstances other than exorcism. The interviewer made no attempt to inquire further into problems arising from participation in cults, activities about which all participants expressed strong feelings of guilt…

The Cult ActivitiesThe Cult Activities

“The activities within the cults that the participants spontaneously reported as being more distressing were connected with practicing blaspheme consecrations and performing promiscuous sexual activity.” — “Dissociative Trance Disorder” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 533.

Occult Family HistoryOccult Family History

“One participant (Case 2) had a notable family history of paranormal experiences: The father worked as a dowser, and two relatives were mediums.” — “Dissociative Trance Disorder” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 533.

““Missing Time…”Missing Time…”

“On being interviewed the participants stated that they had no memory of the possession trance state, which lasted from 5 min to 2 hr.”

— “Dissociative Trance Disorder: Clinical and Rorschach Findings in Ten Persons Reporting Demon Possession and Treated by Exorcism,” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 527.

Possession EpisodesPossession Episodes

“The possessing agent always manifested a moral character different from that of the person’s habitual state, usually expressing sexual and aggressive concerns.

The possessed persons also had frequent vomiting, coughing, and spitting, accompanied by roars, growls, and barks…

Possession EpisodesPossession Episodes

During the possession state these people usually had facial expressions of anger and hate.

One person, a former seminarist, talked in bad Latin.

The Possessing AgentThe Possessing Agent

“…was usually lucid. It stated its identity (Lucifer, Satan, or Asmodeus).

Cursed the priest, the church, and God, expressing disgust for the body it had possessed; and in some cases claimed memories and congratulated itself on having created the body it had entered so much trouble…

Physical EffectsPhysical Effects

Motor behavior always became intense, agitated, and aggressive.

The eyes rolled. The voice became deep and gloomy.”

— “Dissociative Trance Disorder,” in Journal of Personality Assessment (1996), 527.

Dr. Beng-Yeong NgDr. Beng-Yeong Ng Is Associate Consultant at Woodbridge

Hospital and Institute of Mental Health in Singapore.

He is the first recipient of the Singapore Psychiatric Association Book Prize in 1994.

Dr. Beng-Yeong Ng’s Dr. Beng-Yeong Ng’s Study Study

Published in December 2000 In Transcultural Psychiatry, a peer-reviewed

journal

Abstract:Abstract:

“This study investigates the characteristic features of trance states in three different communities (Chinese, Malays and Indians) in Singapore by administering a semi-structured interview to 55 patients with the condition and analyzing witnesses’ accounts….

Abstract Continued:Abstract Continued:

Trance disorder among the three groups displays remarkable similarities in phenomenology but differences also exist. Most of the trances were reportedly precipitated by fear, anger and/or frustration. Seventy per cent of patients reported prodromal symptoms….

Abstract Concluded:Abstract Concluded:

Common manifestations include unusual vocalizations and movements, shaking, apparent immunity from pain, and unfocused or fixed gaze. The patients tend to assume the identities of gods from their own cultures. For individuals reported to be possessed by deities, the embodied identities are gods lower down in the hierarchy of Chinese gods or a minor supernatural figure on the Hindu pantheon.”

Occult Elements in Occult Elements in Singapore ReligionsSingapore Religions

“Scholars have documented the existence of a distinctive religion among the Chinese people involving an amalgam of Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism, perhaps a dash of Confucianism, and a great deal of spirit-mediumship….

Occult Elements in Occult Elements in Singapore ReligionsSingapore Religions

…Belief in spirit possession remains fundamental in the Chinese religious belief system.

Spirits and ghosts are classified into two main types: those which contribute to the welfare of the living and those which have potential to do harm if not placated at appropriate occasions.” –“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore: A Cross-Cultural Perspective,” in Transcultural Psychiatry, (December 2000), 561.

Occult Elements in Occult Elements in Singapore ReligionsSingapore Religions

“Most of the Indians in Singapore believe in Hinduism…a practitioner or a temple priest, goes into a trance to seek direct supernatural help for clients…The deity is asked to descend upon a devotee, who enters into a trance. Some Hindus in Singapore also practice fire-walking, which can be done as purification or to worship, thank or appeal to a god.” –“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore: A Cross-Cultural Perspective,” in Transcultural Psychiatry, (December 2000), 562, 563.

Ng’s Study Criteria for Ng’s Study Criteria for “Trance”:“Trance”:

(i) An altered state of consciousness (ii) Partial or total amnesia after a trance state in

that the individual has no recollections, or at most patchy ones, of the event

(iii) Adoption of at least one alternate identity in the trance states.

–“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore” in Transcultural Psychiatry, (December 2000), 565.

Patient DemographicsPatient Demographics

55 patients, 43 men and 12 women were studied. The age range was 17 to 69 years. They sought help at the psychiatric hospital when

the trances became too bizarre or persistent. Forty-four patients (80%) reported that the trance

states occurred spontaneously and no prior preparation was involved.

Paranormal Paranormal BackgroundBackground

“Prior to their consultation at the psychiatric hospital, 11 (20%) worked as temple mediums.

5 (9%) were temple assistants. 2 (3.6%) were bomohs (traditional medicine

men or mediums). Of the remaining 37, 9 had participated in

trances and 28 had witnessed trances before.

Pre-Trance SymptomsPre-Trance Symptoms

3 patients reported premonitions, dreams or visions that conveyed important messages to them.

7 had a sense of a presence. For example, a Chinese male soldier remarked, “I can sense the presence of Tai Seng Yeh (the monkey god) in the jungle.”

Pre-Trance SymptomsPre-Trance Symptoms

Changes in body image and sensation included sensation of weightlessness, feeling of upward movement/body floating, and feeling detached from external environment.

The two Chinese men who experienced nausea and vomiting were subsequently possessed by Kuan Ti, the god of war. –“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore: A Cross-Cultural Perspective,” in Transcultural Psychiatry, (December 2000), 567.

Possession ConductPossession Conduct

“Certain behaviors, such as stiffening, shaking, shivering of the body and aggressive gestures, crossed cultural borders.”

“The typical scenario was that the affected individual suddenly began speaking in an altered voice with an altered identity.” –“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore: A Cross-Cultural Perspective,” in Transcultural Psychiatry, (December 2000), 569.

““Unlearned Languages and Unlearned Languages and a Capacity To Speak a Capacity To Speak

Them…”Them…” “Nine individuals (16.3%) manifested an

understanding of unlearned languages and a capacity to speak them. A Malay man when possessed by his ancestral spirits spoke ‘Sundak’, a Javanese dialect that had not been used by his people for a few generations and was never taught to him…. –“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore”, 569.

““Unlearned Languages Unlearned Languages and a Capacity To Speak and a Capacity To Speak

Them…”Them…” … A Chinese military recruit heard that the

offshore island Pulau Tekongwas a Malay cemetery and that many Japanese soldiers had died there during the World War II….

““Unlearned Languages Unlearned Languages and a Capacity To Speak and a Capacity To Speak

Them…”Them…” …He subsequently saw what he thought to be

a female ghost and according to other soldiers, in the entranced state, he spoke almost faultless Japanese using a female voice. In his normal waking state rather than in a trance, he spoke not a word of Japanese.” –“Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore”, 569-570.

SummarySummary

Some people may suffer from a natural disorder called Dissociative Identity Disorder.

DID may not even be a real disorder. Other patients may have been misdiagnosed, and

are suffering from Dissociative Trance Disorder. DTD patients do not respond to medication or

psychiatric treatment. Exorcisms are usually the most effective treatments.

SummarySummary

Some DID patients and all DTD patients dabbled in the paranormal (occult) prior to becoming possessed.

Some DID and DTD patients manifest ESP (speaking unlearned languages).

All DTD patients experience a “missing time” sensation and amnesia—similar to alleged alien abductees.

ConclusionsConclusions Alien “abductees” and DTD patients share the same

general paranormal background. “Abductees” and DTD patients sometimes experience

poltergeist activities prior to their experiences. Secular psychologists and psychiatrists are struggling to

fully comprehend the possession phenomena—they have not “explained spirit possession away,” as materialist skeptics frequently assert.

Spirit possession experiences are still around today—just like they were in the first century C.E.