Exorcism-resistant Ghost Possession Treated with Clopenthixol
Authors:
- Narsimha R. PinnintiNPNarsimha R. Pinninti
- 1 September 1994
- journal article
- case report
- Published by Royal College of Psychiatrists in The British Journal of Psychiatry
- Vol. 165 (3) , 386-388
Abstract
BACKGROUND An Indian man now in Britain explained his criminal behaviour as episodic ghost possession. Traditional exorcisms failed to help. METHOD A 'Western' diagnosis of dissociative state or paranoid schizophrenia was made. Treatment commenced using trifluoperazine and clopenthixol. RESULTS The patient underwent remission during neuroleptic treatment, despite previous evidence of genuine possession. CONCLUSIONS Many cultures give rise to apparently genuine cases of ghost possession. Neuroleptics may relieve symptoms of exorcism-resistant possession.Keywords
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