Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4 (Dec. 1993)
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Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 266-267 : Reply to reviewers exorcism report(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Fraser, George A.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 264-265 : Dr. Coons’ response to commentaries by Drs. Crabtree, Noll, and Rosik(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Coons, Philip M.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 262-263 : Primum non-nocere- a reason for restraint: Dr. Bowman’s reply to Drs. Crabtree, Rosik, and Noll(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Bowman, Elizabeth S.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 260-261 : Response to papers by Rosik, Noll, and Crabtree(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Begelman, D. A.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 254-259 : Puzzling over possession: comments on Dissociation articles on possession(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Crabtree, AdamComments on the preceding papers on possession are made from a clinical/historical point of view. A definition of “possession” is proposed based on a phenomenological approach. Categories of possession likely to be encountered by North American clinicians are listed and commented on. The proposed DSM-IV diagnosis of possession is viewed as promising, but the present formulation is considered to be weak. Coon's call for interdisciplinary communication and cooperation is seconded. Acceptance of the new diagnostic category is supported despite the fact that some may misuse its recognition. Evaluations of the dangers of exorcism applied to MPD cases made by Fraser and Bowman are appreciated. Bowman's total rejection of any consideration of exorcism in work with dissociative patients is questioned. Begelman's sortie into the depths beyond phenomenology is accorded praise.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 250-253 : Exorcism and possession: the clash of worldviews and the hubris of psychiatry(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Noll, RichardCommentary is provided on four psychiatric papers concerned with (1) "trance/possession disorder" (TPD) and (2) "exorcism." It is argued that such papers exemplify a centuries-old clash of worldviews between science and religion. Arguments against the inclusion of the proposed diagnostic entity of TPD are outlined. The criteria for TPD are considered too vague for practical clinical use in differential diagnosis and may incite an epidemic of "possession" in North America if included in DSM-IV. The diagnosis of TPD may also enhance the unconscious institutional racism and ethnocentrism of psychiatry. "Exorcism" outcome studies that purport it is harmful to MPD patients are criticized for their lack of operational definitions, selection bias of subjects, and biased framing of quantitative data. Issues regarding the biased framing of data in scientific publications in general are discussed.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 245-249 : Establishing a foundation for dialogue: a response to articles on possession, exorcism, and MPD(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Rosik, ChristopherThis response offers brief critiques of the articles by Drs. Coons, Begelman, Bowman, and Fraser, all of which raise important issues concerning the development of dialogue between the psychiatric and religious communities. It is argued that this dialogue on exorcism and possession needs to be characterized by humility on all sides. A rationale for the preservation of humility by those in the dissociative disorders field is given, and some implications of this for further dialogue conclude the paper.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 239-244 : Exorcism rituals: effects on multiple personality disorder patients(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Fraser, George A.The persistent belief that spiritual entities can "possess" mere mortals has resulted in various rituals and ceremonies to expel these unwanted intruders. This act has been known as exorcism and is sanctioned even today by many traditional religions. This is pertinent to the field of multiple personality disorder because often the presentation or influence of dissociated ego states fulfills the conceptualized criteria of those who believe in the reality of spirit possession. This paper addresses the issues of a group of multiple personality patients, treated by the author, who previously had been exposed to exorcism rites. Seven patients were interviewed about the effects of these ceremonies on their ego functioning. The results varied from mildly negative to severely disruptive; they included numbing of religious fervor, struggling physically with the exorcist, attempting suicide, creating demon alters, and believing that an alter had been banished and was perpetually suffering in hell. The experiences of these patients are discussed, followed by cautions that the author believes should be reviewed before anyone considers an exorcism ceremony, especially if the subject is known to have, or has not yet been assessed for, a dissociative disorder.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 222-238 : Clinical and spiritual effects of exorcism in fifteen patients with multiple personality disorder(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Bowman, Elizabeth S.Fifteen female multiple personality disorder (MPD) patients who had felt or been told they were possessed or had undergone exorcism were interviewed to study the sequelae of these events. Thirteen had suspected they were possessed either before or after their diagnosis. Fourteen had been told they were possessed, usually before their diagnosis. Fourteen had undergone exorcisms. Seventy-one percent reacted negatively to the suggestion that they were possessed. Initial reactions to exorcisms were negative in about 80% of hosts and alters and positive in 14% of hosts and 9% of alters. Emotional reactions to exorcisms remained fairly stable over time. The exorcisms functioned as traumas and resulted in severely dysphoric feelings, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and dissociative symptoms. Subjects created new alters and experienced considerable dissociative rearrangements that led to the hospitalization of nine subjects. Spiritual sequelae were the most severe and led to cessation or severe curtailment of religious life for many subjects. The author cautions against exorcizing MPD patients.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 213-221 : The differential diagnosis of possession states(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Coons, Philip M.Although the literature contains numerous historical and contemporary case reports of possession disorder, the possession syndrome has never been an officially approved psychiatric diagnosis. This paper reviews these case reports and suggests a typology for various types of possession disorder. Possession disorder is contrasted with the religious belief of possession and various types of ritual trance possession which are seen worldwide. The psychophysiology of trance and dissociation will be discussed. Finally, the ICD-10 nosology and proposed DSM-IV classification for possession disorder will be reviewed.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 201-212 : Possession: interdisciplinary roots(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Begelman, D. A.Possession states have a remarkably broad transcultural distribution, and mirror the influence of a range of social variables. Encompassing a variety of individual patterns, as a class they virtually confound attempts at "reduction" to pathological conditions or forms of dissociation like multiple personality disorder. Paradoxes exist in both the naturalistic and supernaturalistic approaches to possession. Commentators in both traditions may misconceive the nature of the connection between explanatory schema and treatment packages, while contemporary exorcists may underestimate trends of skepticism about their practices evident in honored theological traditions. Exorcisms are not precluded on "scientific " grounds. Treatment strategies for culture-bound syndromes may have to accommodate to the meanings those who experience them attribute to their plights.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 200: Preface to papers on possession(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Begelman, D. A.Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 199 : Editorial(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12) Kluft, Richard P., 1943-Item Open Access Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 000 : Cover, table of contents(Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 1993-12)