Phenomenology of Trance States Seen at a Psychiatric Hospital in Singapore: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Ng, Beng-Yeong

doi:10.1177/136346150003700405

Cited by 23 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The opposite bias would consist in interpreting hallucinations involving symbols and spirits that comprise part of a culture as systematically being normal experiences. In this respect, Ng 36 notes that although human beings are commonly possessed by lower level spirits in Chinese society, possession by a spirit of higher rank is readily recognized as a manifestation of severe mental disorder. defi nes as a "category fallacy" p 4 by pathologizing a normal religious experience, and mistaking a possibly dangerous clinical condition as ordinary albeit unfamiliar religiosity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We also note a high occurrence of somatic complaints that can manifest as prodromes of a trance or possession episode in certain patients. 36 This could also be mentioned as a possible associated symptom in future classifi cations. In contrast, amnesia is reported in only 20% of patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12 In addition to the symptoms described by current classifi cations (Table 1), we found auditory and (or) visual hallucinations in 44% to 56% of patients with possession, and somatic complaints in 20% to 34% of all patients. In a few patients, we found features of depression, 17,29,34,36 suicidal thoughts, 26 social withdrawal, 17,22 isolation, fear, or suspicion of others. 20 One patient manifested with selfmutilation (carving on her arms), which led to a suicide attempt.…”

Section: Diagnostic Procedures and Clinical Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…20 One patient manifested with selfmutilation (carving on her arms), which led to a suicide attempt. 20 Regarding the risk of aggression, even though patients are prone to threaten their entourage, possibly using weapons when available, 36 only 3 cases of physical violence are reported, 12,28,35 among which 1 concluded with a ritual homicide. 12 Total or partial amnesia of the experience is reported in 20% of patients (n = 79), 12,25,33,36 whereas in 80% of them (n = 323) amnesia of the episodes is either not commented on or documented as absent.…”

Section: Diagnostic Procedures and Clinical Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Critical Review of Dissociative Trance and Possession Disorders: Etiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Nosological Issues

et al. 2011

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Objective: Although the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Fourth Edition, acknowledges the existence of dissociative trance and possession disorders, simply named dissociative trance disorder (DTD), it asks for further studies to assess its clinical utility in the DSM-5. To answer this question, we conducted the fi rst review of the medical literature. Method:The MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched from 1988 to 2010, seeking case reports of DTD according to the DSM or the International Classifi cation of Diseases defi nitions. For each article, we collected epidemiologic and clinical data, explanatory models used by authors, treatments, and information on the outcome. Results:We found 28 articles reporting 402 cases of patients with DTD worldwide. The data show an equal proportion of female and male patients, and a predominance of possession (69%), compared with trance (31%). Amnesia is reported by 20% of patients. Conversely, hallucinatory symptoms during possession episodes were found in 56% of patients and thus should feature as an important criterion. Somatic complaints are found in 34% of patients. Multiple explanatory models are simultaneously held and appear to be complementary. Conclusion:Data strongly suggest the inclusion of DTD in the DSM-5, provided certain adjustments are implemented. DTD is a widespread disorder that can be understood as a global idiom of distress, probably underdiagnosed in Western countries owing to cultural biases, whose incidence could increase given the rising fl ow of migration. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management should result from a comprehensive evaluation both of sociocultural and of idiosyncratic issues, among which acculturation diffi culties should systematically be considered, especially in cross-cultural settings.Can J Psychiatry. 2011;56(4):235-242. Clinical Implications• The DSM and the International Classifi cation of Diseases present dissociative trance and possession disorder as a transient involuntary state of dissociation causing distress or impairment.• Although reported worldwide, and possibly owing to various psychosocial stressors, in industrialized societies the disorder may more specifi cally concern people from ethnic minorities for whom acculturation diffi culties may play a key role.• A cross-cultural approach seems necessary for a better understanding of the disorder as well as to increase the validity of diagnosis and effi cacy of management. Limitations• This review was limited to articles written in English and indexed on major medical databases, thus reducing the number of studies and reported patients.• Owing to cultural biases and misconceptions about altered states of consciousness in Western societies, the disorder may still be underdiagnosed.• Papers showed important discrepancies in both the amount and the precision of data.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Diagnostic Procedures and Clinical Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Diagnostic Procedures and Clinical Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Critical Review of Dissociative Trance and Possession Disorders: Etiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Nosological Issues

et al. 2011

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“…Trance behaviour is deeply rooted in our cultural and religious history [6][7][8][9][10]. The ethnic composition has remained stable in the last decade.…”

Section: Trancesmentioning

confidence: 99%