Exorcism or psychiatry?

[mek42]

How is it determined whether someone needs psychiatric help or an exorcism?

 

[Vico]

How is it determined whether someone needs psychiatric help or an exorcism?

According to the revised 1999 guidelines, psychiatric conditions must first be eliminated. Daemonic possession symptoms include: “speaking in unknown languages, discerning distant or hidden things, and displaying a physical strength that is at odds with the possessed person’s age or state of health”.

 

[adawgj]

According to the revised 1999 guidelines, psychiatric conditions must first be eliminated. Daemonic possession symptoms include: “speaking in unknown languages, discerning distant or hidden things, and displaying a physical strength that is at odds with the possessed person’s age or state of health”.

I’d start with psychiatry and then if things go really south an exorcism.

 

[St_Francis]

Many if not most or all exorcists want the person to be evaluated by a professional with whom the exorcist is familiar. In cases of suspected possession, it may be best to contact the diocese for information about the exorcist, and proceed accordingly.

 

[ChurchSoldier]

I think it is suggested the process begin with the Local Priest and then move to the Diocesan Bishop if there is reason to suspect a manifestation of some sort.

 

[Vico]

I’d start with psychiatry and then if things go really south an exorcism.

The Vatican press presentation THE RITE OF exorcisms from 1999 has:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_1999-01-26_il-rito-degli-esorcismi_it.html

(Google Translate)Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Very different is the case of diseases, especially psychological, whose care falls within the field of medical science. It is therefore important to ensure, before an exorcism is performed, which is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness (cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 1172) - (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1673).

 

[CB_Catholic]

According to the revised 1999 guidelines, psychiatric conditions must first be eliminated. Daemonic possession symptoms include: “speaking in unknown languages, discerning distant or hidden things, and displaying a physical strength that is at odds with the possessed person’s age or state of health”.

As any hospital caretaker can tell you, the third criteria is not reliable. I have seen elderly, frail, demented patients take on the strength of Hercules when they feel threatened. One patient, who could barely walk, caught me by surprise and kicked me in the abdomen so hard that I flew across the room, hit the wall, and had to be taken to the ER. Thankfully, I was not hurt, except for some soreness for awhile. I could tell a few more stories, but I always wondered where that adrenaline came from that could turn a 90 year old frail, arthritic woman into a beast. This is not possession, this is a classic “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat.

 

[InNomineDomini]

This is not possession, this is a classic “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat.

Yes, but these signs aren’t necessarily taken in isolation, if I understand correctly.

It’s not simply a matter of someone displaying unusual physical strength, and therefore needing exorcism. Rather, there’s a whole context of activity that physical strength fits into.

For example, I believe that a vast majority of possession cases involve an individual who has been sexually abused as a child. But this simple fact, all on its own, won’t lead to an exorcism any more than displays of strength would. There have to be other data points that, when taken together, point to possession as being an incredibly real probability.

 

[adawgj]

The Vatican press presentation THE RITE OF exorcisms from 1999 has:

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_1999-01-26_il-rito-degli-esorcismi_it.html

(Google Translate)Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Very different is the case of diseases, especially psychological, whose care falls within the field of medical science. It is therefore important to ensure, before an exorcism is performed, which is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness (cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 1172) - (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1673).

Proves my opinion

 

[Vico]

As any hospital caretaker can tell you, the third criteria is not reliable. I have seen elderly, frail, demented patients take on the strength of Hercules when they feel threatened. One patient, who could barely walk, caught me by surprise and kicked me in the abdomen so hard that I flew across the room, hit the wall, and had to be taken to the ER. Thankfully, I was not hurt, except for some soreness for awhile. I could tell a few more stories, but I always wondered where that adrenaline came from that could turn a 90 year old frail, arthritic woman into a beast. This is not possession, this is a classic “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat.

That is horrible! Like the woman that lifted the car off of a beloved, or a person on certain drugs. The example that I was given from a priest, which was observed by the exorcising bishop and a witness, was levitation.

 

[Vico]

Proves my opinion

Yes, we both posted the same opinion.

 

[fred_conty]

Someone may have need of psychological help and at the same time be demonized.

But one way to give a quick test is to take holy water and when they aren’t looking, sprinkle them with it.
If they react, this is one of the signs.

 

[27lw]

As any hospital caretaker can tell you, the third criteria is not reliable. I have seen elderly, frail, demented patients take on the strength of Hercules when they feel threatened. One patient, who could barely walk, caught me by surprise and kicked me in the abdomen so hard that I flew across the room, hit the wall, and had to be taken to the ER. Thankfully, I was not hurt, except for some soreness for awhile. I could tell a few more stories, but I always wondered where that adrenaline came from that could turn a 90 year old frail, arthritic woman into a beast. This is not possession, this is a classic “fight or flight” response to a perceived threat.

Yes, I’ve thought the same thing, that lots of people display incredible strength, depending on the situation. It’s something that has bothered me about books on exorcism which I have read, is that the priest seems quick to interpret some feat of strength as proof of possession.