Psychopathology and shamanism in rural Mexico: a case study of spirit possession

Ritual homicide during dissociative trance disorder

A case report is described of a man who developed a single period of recurrent episodes of dissociative trance disorder (DTD) during a family stress. The cultural environment was permeated by thoughts and beliefs in magic. During one trance state, the man performed an exorcism on the 6-month-old baby of his brother-in-law, and the baby died from cerebral hemorrhage. In the 5-year follow-up, no other episodes of DTD developed, and the man is serving an 18-year sentence.

Dissociative trance disorder: clinical and Rorschach findings in ten persons reporting demon possession and treated by exorcism

Although dissociative trance disorders, especially possession disorder, are probably more common than is usually though, precise clinical data are lacking. Ten persons undergoing exorcisms for devil trance possession state were studied with the Dissociative Disorders Diagnostic Schedule and the Rorschach test. These persons had many traits in common with dissociative identity disorder patients. They were overwhelmed by paranormal experiences. Despite claiming possession by a demon, most of them managed to maintain normal social functioning. Rorschach findings showed that these persons had a complex personality organization: Some of them displayed a tendency to oversimplify stimulus perception whereas others seemed more committed to psychological complexity. Most had severe impairment of reality testing, and 6 of the participants had an extratensive coping stile. In this group of persons reporting demon possession, dissociative trance disorder seems to be a distinct clinical manifestation of a dissociative continuum, sharing some features with dissociative identity disorder.

Psychodynamics of spirit possession among the Inuit

Three cases of spirit possession were studied to determine common underlying psychodynamic factors. The spirits were believed to represent culture bound defense mechanisms, and attempts at problem solving in individuals suffering from unresolved conflicts. These being anomic anxiety, dependency, sexual identity and aggression. The symptoms, therefore, were considered to be attempts at conflict resolution. Furthermore the psychodynamic process is described as a transition phase in psychic development between externalization and internalization of intrapsychic distress or collective versus individual ego solutions to life stress. As such, therapy will be facilitated by knowledge of myths and customs and culturally significant methods of healing.