What is the difference between temptation , demon obsession and mental illness?

[fides_et_labor]

I had read a thread from a while back that interested me greatly. Here is the quote

Hi

I found this online at a Catholic website… I think it’s from an interview with Fr Gabriel Amorth:

Quote:
4. Diabolic obsession. Symptoms include sudden attacks, at times ongoing, of obsessive thoughts, sometimes even rationally absurd, but of such nature that the victim is unable to free himself Therefore the obsessed person lives in a perpetual state of prostration, desperation, and attempts at suicide. Almost always obsession influences dreams. Some people will say that this is evidence of mental illness, requiring the services of a psychiatrist or a psychologist. The same could be said of all other forms of demonic phenomena. Some symptoms, however, are so inconsistent with known illnesses that they point with certainty to their evil origins. Only an expert and well-trained eye can identify the crucial differences.
I was wondering, - for anyone who knows about these things…

this is different than possession, yes?

I read through the answers, but never found where or whom one might find to assess the situation. And I am also curious as to tell the difference btween mental illness and demon activity…

Thanks in advance… God Bless

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Find yourself a wise, learned, and holy priest. Maybe try a monastery.