Dissociation : Vol. 6, No. 4, p. 239-244 : Exorcism rituals: effects on multiple personality disorder patients
Datum
1993-12
Autor:innen
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Verlag
Ridgeview Institute and the International Society for the Study of Dissociation
Zusammenfassung
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.
Beschreibung
p. 239-244