Evolution of views on the phenomenon of spiritual possession within the framework of psychiatric pathology (psychopathological, transnosological and transcultural aspects)

Gedevani E.V.; Alekseeva A.G.; Borisova O.A.; Kopeyko G.I.; Kaleda V.G.

doi:https://doi.org/10.17116/jnevro202412411155

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Abstract:

The spiritual possession phenomenon (SPP), is a complex transnosological, transcultural syndrome, which is based on the patients’ perception that some spiritual entity (spirit, demon, jinn, shaitan, «ikotka», dybbuk, Buddha, etc.) is influencing or possessing them. Modern classifications of diseases, aimed at expanding our ideas about the distinction between the norm and pathology of mental disorders, do not contribute to a clear psychopathological differentiation of SPP, the determination of its nosological affiliation and the choice of appropriate therapeutic tactics for these conditions. To date, there is no unity of ideas about SPP among psychiatrists, and the conflict between different interpretations of the phenomenon persists. The aim of this review was to analyze scientific studies devoted to the SPP within the framework of psychiatric pathology in mature age patients, in order to differentiate the underlying psychopathological disorders, to determine the nosological affiliation and the specific therapeutic approaches of these conditions. The keywords «mental disorder spirit possession», «possession dissociative identity disorder», «delusion of possession» were searched in the electronic databases eLibrary and PubMed, as well as in the Russian State Library and the scientific library of the Mental Health Research Center, publications of Russian and foreign researchers for the period from the 3s of the XIX century to the present time were selected and analyzed. The dynamics of psychiatric views on the SPP within the framework of mental disorders over time was assessed. The study of the SPP remains a challenging multidisciplinary problem for contemporary scientific research. The SPP requires further deep interdisciplinary understanding, detailed clinical and psychopathological analysis and final determination of its place in clinical psychiatry.

Keywords:

spiritual possession phenomenon

delusions of possession

dissociative disorders

Authors:

Gedevani E.V.

Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0001-8829-3191

Alekseeva A.G.

Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0001-7283-1717

Borisova O.A.

Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-7429-7244

Kopeyko G.I.

Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-1209-1443

Kaleda V.G.

Mental Health Research Center

ORCID: 0000-0002-8580-9890

Received:

22.07.2024

Accepted:

27.07.2024

Close metadata

References:

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