Possible Demonic Possession & Exorcism...?

[AdamP88]

Hi,

I am hoping a priest or someone with some experience can help me out on this.

Basically, I have a friend who has been a catholic all of his life. About a year & a half ago he joined a school of evangelization. This involved a heavy schedule of prayer and study of the faith. During this time they suffered a psychiatric episode and have been in & out of hospital since.
The person has suffered from depression before this but nothing as severe or violent as this.
Also this episode was apparently while in the presence of the Holy Eucharist and was an attack upon the priest that was administering it.

Since then - my friend has had various psychiatric episodes and their spiritual life has become impaired as they believe that satan is stopping them from praying.
Every time I attempt to mention God, Jesus, Mary or pray to them they panic and become obscene, sometimes speaking in unusual tones and gibberish.

I just wonder if it’s possible that this person is being influenced by an evil spirit and what I can do to help them.

 

[Little_Mac]

I remember hearing in a movie and then later online through a priest that in order for the church to be able to tell whether a demonic possession is really legitimate or not you need to first discern whether or not the subject knows something they shouldn’t be able to immediately comprehend. Ask them a question in a foreign language, one you yourself don’t even speak but just did a little research beforehand, and make sure it’s a language they normally wouldn’t know. If they’re truly possessed they might have the answer in the language you’ve spoken. Try looking up tests like that online.

What’s more important though is that you get the help your friend deserves. Even if it’s not demonic possession, which is likely the case, they still need intense psychiatric care and attendance, perhaps medical care as well. Look up therapists if they don’t like theirs or have given up therapy, talk to doctors, psychiatrists. Even ask your local priests (duh) what they can do (although I might advise going about it in a way where you’re hesitant to adress claims of legitimate demonic possession: you never know how they’ll react. I mean the fact is simply that they could use a spiritual hand regardless of whether it’s through the rite of exorcism or not) and also seek guidance on what you can do yourself to help your friend in need. Every voice can help.

Hope this helped, tell your friend I said “stick through it, bro.”

 

[AdamP88]

Thanks for the reply & encouragement.

 

[stephe1987]

The overwhelming majority of cases are psychiatric disorders rather than actual possession. That is why exorcists work with psychiatrists to eliminate mental causes before starting the exorcism.