Mental Illness and Demonic Activity?

[helen_of_troy23]

I was wondering if there seems to be any know correlation between things like depression or panic attacks and demonic activity. How do you know when it’s more than just a disorder? What help should I seek if I am worried that there is more going on than meets the eye?

Thanks,

Helen

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Demonic activity that requires anything beyond simple confession, reception of communion and prayer is very rare. Before the Church will even consider anything beyond those things all natural explanations must be ruled out.

As the Roman Ritual states:

Especially, he should not believe too readily that a person is possessed by an evil spirit; but he ought to ascertain the signs by which a person possessed can be distinguished from one who is suffering from some illness, especially one of a psychological nature.

If someone is depressed or suffers panic attacks he should seek appropriate psychological help/counseling. If someone feels spirituality ill at ease he should go to confession and communion and make more time for prayer. A need for any other solution is so rare that it should not be considered except as an absolute last resort.