Does the spiritual have any effects on our affects?--and such

[workinprogress]

Are some or all psychological problems a physical manifestation of spiritual attacks? I was thinking of Menninger’s criteria for what he felt to be demonic. Maybe it was Fr. Corapi who mentioned this and recalled the same traits in the one who was possessed in the Bible who, when asked, said his name was “Legion”. This was possession, but could oppression manifest itself in some depression and what not?

 

[puzzleannie]

In Father Gabriel Amorth’s book on exorcism and exorcists he makes the point that the first action must always be to consult doctors and psychiatrists to determine whether the behavior exhibited by the subject has a medical or psychological origin, and to obtain treatment if necessary. This is to distinguish between disorder and true demonic possession and the exorcism can proceed only when disorders have been ruled out. What a great name for an exorcist, Gabriel.

It is also part of the procedure in determining if visions, locutions, stigmata or other mystical experiences are genuine, fake, from God or from the evil one, that a medical and psychological examination be done to rule out disorder. Only then can a determination of spiritual origin begin.