Belief in demons and exorcism in psychiatric patients in Switzerland

Abstract

Belief in demons as the cause of mental health problems is a well-known phenomenon in many cultures of the world. However, there is little literature on this phenomenon in Protestant subcultures of the West. The author conducted a systematic investigation of the prevalence of this attribution in 343 mainly Protestant out-patients of a psychiatric clinic in Switzerland, who described themselves as religious. Of these, 129 (37.6 per cent) believed in the possible causation of their problems through the influence of evil spirits, labelling this as 'occult bondage' or 'possession'. One hundred and four patients (30.3 per cent) sought help through ritual 'prayers for deliverance' and exorcism. Prevalence of such practices was significantly related to diagnosis (p < .01) and to church affiliation (p < .005). Patients in charismatic free churches suffering from anxiety disorders and schizophrenia reported the highest rate of exorcistic rituals (70 per cent), and patients with adjustment disorders from traditional state churches the lowest (14 per cent). The various forms and functions of these healing rituals are described. Although many patients subjectively experienced the rituals as positive, outcome in psychiatric symptomatology was not improved. Negative outcome, such as psychotic decompensation, is associated with the exclusion of medical treatment and coercive forms of exorcism.

Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis

“…Some Western cultures hold this idea too. A study conducted in Switzerland, with psychiatric patients, revealed that demons were considered the main cause of mental health problems 14. A South Asian study revealed that people there perceive mental illness as natural part of the suffering that is predestined for them.…”

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders in a Nigerian family: 4 case reports

“…Beliefs in supernatural causes for mental illness are widespread in Africa [3,5] and are even present in western societies [10]. Though those that hold such beliefs are sometimes in the minority [4], some of these beliefs promote stigma and discrimination [5].…”

Demonic Attributions in Nondelusional Disorders

“…(c) They declared their desire to consult a psychiatrist who showed an understanding attitude towards their faith. Further details of the sample have been described elsewhere [23]. The topic of the demonic was explored in the course of semistructured interviews on admission or in the course of therapy.…”