Obsessions and curses: What does psychology say?

Hey everyone, I was wondering how psychologists typically view people who feel like they're being obsessed over or targeted in some way? Is that usually linked to a specific disorder, or could it just be someone having an overactive imagination? Aside from that, there aren't really any other symptoms present—unless you'd consider a total lack of interest in things to be a symptom too🤷 If there are any professionals in the group, I’d love to hear your thoughts😳

It depends.
Case 1. If someone believes they are possessed by a demon and starts calling Joe Biden 100 times a day to request an exorcism—to the point where they stop leaving their house and neglect all their actual responsibilities—it isn't hard to conclude there is a clinical disorder at play.

Case 2. If someone wears an "anti-evil eye" charm or some other talisman without letting it interfere with their daily reality, then we are simply looking at a mindset or "folklore."

And I suspect this isn't just a psychological perspective, but one shared by experts in other fields as well.😉

restlessfox29 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering how psychologists typically view people who feel like they're being obsessed over or targeted in some way? Is that usually linked to a specific disorder, or could it just be someone having an overactive imagination? Aside from that, there aren't really any other symptoms present—unless you'd consider a total lack of interest in things to be a symptom too🤷 If there are any professionals in the group, I’d love to hear your thoughts😳

Honestly, you don't need a specialist to tell you this: if this "obsession" is messing with your ability to live your daily life, then go see a psychiatrist or an exorcist—but if it isn't bothering you, then fine, just live with your demons. 🙂 🤣

I was just wondering if psychology actually recognizes this as a possibility—like, if they send these kinds of cases over to clergy for guidance—or if they just dismiss it all as hallucinations or something similar... if you know what I mean. Honestly, it doesn't matter much, I've been doing some digging online anyway... thanks regardless!😁

restlessfox29 said:I was just wondering if psychology actually recognizes this as a possibility—like, if they send these kinds of cases over to clergy for guidance—or if they just dismiss it all as hallucinations or something similar... if you know what I mean. Honestly, it doesn't matter much, I've been doing some digging online anyway... thanks regardless!😁

Psychiatrists aren't going to buy into curses or witches. They’ll tell you straight up that it’s either an anxiety disorder or just deep-seated fears. They might put you on an antidepressant, but honestly, a solid therapist can do wonders. Think of it like "de-hypnotizing" yourself; through therapy, you can untangle those false beliefs and finally realize it was all just fear being fed to you by your surroundings, movies, or whatever.
That said, if they see you’re super superstitious and think a religious exorcism might give you some temporary peace, they might suggest it. But here's the thing: those fears almost always come crawling back because you haven't dealt with the actual root cause in your subconscious. It’s like going to a psychic or a crystal healer—it works as long as you believe it does, but once that "energy" runs out, you're right back where you started. If you go to a doctor and get the right treatment, that’s how you actually fix the problem. I think your best bet is finding a good shrink who can help you work through those wrong ideas. Once you analyze the source of the fear, you'll be done with the whole witch thing for good.😉

Wait, what are we even talking about here? Is this some kind of inside joke I missed? Because honestly, if you're trying to get a reaction out of me with that, you're going to have to try a little harder—though, knowing how things go around here, maybe "trying harder" is asking too much. Just a thought. kaže:
So, how exactly do psychologists view people who think they’re being possessed or whatever? Is there a specific disorder you can pin it on, or is it just someone having an incredibly overactive imagination? I mean—if they aren't showing any other red flags, does that even count? Or is total, crushing apathy actually considered a symptom in itself?🤷 If there's anyone here with actual professional expertise, I could really use an answer. 😳

Did you hear about what happened? The placebo effect—it’s one of those things that sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi flick, right? But it’s actually sitting right there in front of us, hiding in plain sight within the medical world. It’s wild when you really stop to think about how much our own minds can influence what’s happening in our bodies. We talk about medicine like it’s this absolute, objective force, but sometimes, the mere *idea* of help is enough to kickstart the engine. It’s not just some "imaginary" thing, either. There’s actual science behind it—stuff involving psychoneuroimmunology that shows how our expectations can physically alter our biological responses. It’s almost like our brains are running a background program, prepping the body for recovery before the actual chemical even hits the bloodstream. Is it magic? Probably not. Is it fascinating? Absolutely. It makes you wonder how much of our "wellness" is driven by the pills we take versus the sheer belief that they’re actually going to do something. Just something to chew on while you're waiting for your morning coffee to kick in. ?

(more at the link)


So, how does this actually work? The mechanism behind it all—the "how" of it—is what everyone keeps asking about. It’s not just some magic trick; there’s an actual process at play here.

Look, there isn't some single, objective master plan that explains exactly how the placebo effect actually works. Honestly? The whole concept of "placebo" is just way too messy and complex to pin down easily—it’s less of a concrete thing and more of a collection of various hypotheses we're still trying to untangle.

The "Expectation Model"—it’s one of those things you think you understand until you actually start peeling back the layers, right? It sounds simple enough on paper, but once you get into the weeds of how it actually shapes our reality, things get complicated fast. It’s like that feeling when you walk into a restaurant expecting a five-star meal only to realize they basically just microwaved a frozen pizza—your entire experience shifts because your internal blueprint didn't match the actual delivery. That's the core of it, isn't it? We aren't just reacting to what happens; we're reacting to the gap between what we thought would happen and what actually went down. It’s a bit of a trip when you really sit with it.
Studies show that expectations play a massive role in how people actually react when they take a placebo—it’s wild, really. It turns out your brain isn't just a passive observer; it's basically running its own internal script based on what you think is about to happen. If you go into it believing a pill is going to fix your headache, your nervous system starts prepping for relief before the chemical even hits your bloodstream. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How much of our "reality" is just us subconsciously manifesting a specific outcome because we expect it to be there? The chemical makeup of an active drug or treatment—it’s one of those things people just gloss over, isn't it? They see the label, they see the pill, and they think that's the whole story. But when you really start digging into the actual chemistry of an active compound, you realize how much of a balancing act it all is. It's not just about throwing a molecule at a problem and hoping for the best; it's about precision, molecular structure, and trying to hit a specific target without setting off a chain reaction elsewhere in the body. Honestly, it's a bit like trying to fix a delicate watch with a sledgehammer if you don't get the chemistry exactly right.
So, there’s this whole psychological theory—it's basically saying that what you think, what you believe, and even just leaning into some positive suggestion can actually move the needle on your physical health. It sounds a bit out there, right? But think about it: your sensory experiences and those constant internal monologues aren't just floating around in your head—they actually trigger specific neurochemical reactions. And once those kicks in, it sets off this whole domino effect through your entire biochemical system—we're talking your hormonal response and your immune system too. It's all connected.
So, there’s this field called Psychoneuroimmunology—or PNI, if you want to sound like you actually finished grad school—and it basically looks at how our mental states and behaviors mess with our immune response. It’s all about that two-way street between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Pretty wild, right? Think about it: the same mechanism that triggers psychosomatic illnesses through negative attitudes and bad vibes can also work in reverse when you hit someone with a positive suggestion via the placebo effect. We're essentially seeing how our thoughts and internal psychological lives trigger neuro-immune biochemical shifts—changes that ripple through the entire physical body and can even lead to actual organ changes. That’s how diseases take hold, sure, but it works the other way around for healing, too. Honestly, PNI kind of cracks the code on why the placebo effect works, and it also explains why so many "alternative" therapies show results—because when you look at the science, the line between them isn't nearly as clear-cut as people like to pretend.
Negative expectations actually trigger what we call the nocebo effect—basically, you end up making things worse just by expecting them to be bad. It’s wild when you think about it. There are these studies where patients in the placebo group—people who didn't even get the actual medicine—start breaking out in rashes or having full-on allergic reactions. And the kicker? These symptoms show up at the exact same time as the side effects seen in the people who were actually given the active drug. It’s like the mind just decides to manifest the physical fallout. Makes you wonder how much of our "physical" reality is just us being convinced we're unwell, doesn't it?
So, get this—about 80% of patients who were given nothing but sugar water instead of actual emetics—you know, those drugs meant to make you heave—ended up throwing up anyway. It’s wild, right? There are even reports out there about people developing actual addictions to the placebo effect. Like, how does that even work? Is our brain just that much of a liar?
So, you want to talk about the placebo effect? It’s not just some magic trick—it's actually pretty wild when you look at the mechanics of it. You’ve got the therapist’s own expectations and how much they truly believe the treatment will work, paired with the patient's actual physiological response to seeing their anxiety levels drop. Honestly, those two things together are huge drivers of the whole phenomenon. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How much of "healing" is just a feedback loop between what we expect to happen and what our bodies decide to do in response?

Think about the "conditioned reflex model" for a second—it’s basically just a learned response to medical intervention. You take a pill or even just step into a sterile doctor's office, and because you've experienced improvement before, those things become conditioned stimuli. It’s exactly like that famous Pavlovian experiment with the bell, right? So, every single time you see a doctor or swallow a new prescription, you're essentially triggering a reflexive process of improvement—otherwise known as the placebo effect.

The experiment:
So, picture this: they take a dog and start pairing the sound of a bell with injections of acetylcholine—you know, the stuff that drops blood pressure. After repeating this cycle enough times, you end up with a conditioned reflex. Basically, the dog’s blood pressure would plummet just hearing the bell, even without the actual injection. It’s a lot like that classic Pavlovian reflex where a dog starts drooling at the mere sound of a bell before any food even shows up. But here’s where things get weirdly fascinating. They decided to flip the script on the dog that had already developed this reflex. Instead of the usual acetylcholine, they hit it with an injection of adrenaline—which, by all rights, should have spiked the blood pressure. But the result? Totally unexpected. When the bell rang, the dog's blood pressure dropped anyway. Even with the adrenaline pumping through its system, the drop occurred. It turns out the placebo effect was actually more powerful than the pharmacological action of the adrenaline itself. New neural pathways had formed, creating an internal neurochemical response so strong it completely overrode the external substance being introduced. Pretty wild, right?

3. The "Opioid Model"
Basically, when you hit someone with a placebo stimulus, their body releases endorphins that act as natural painkillers. Donald Price and his crew actually demonstrated that the effects of placebo-induced analgesia—you know, that sudden inability to feel pain—can be completely wiped out if you administer naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist (an endorphin blocker).

So, look at it this way: if you tell someone they’ve been cursed, hexed, or hit by some kind of magic... whatever... and that person actually buys into it (even without a shred of scientific proof), they might start exhibiting actual physical symptoms.

It works exactly like a placebo.

The bottom line? If you don't believe it exists, it can't touch you... but if you believe it does, then you're vulnerable.

There isn't any scientific evidence that these things are real, but that doesn't mean they won't have a physiological effect on you.

Everything just boils down to what a person believes (or refuses to believe).

Of course, if you use classical conditioning—think about how much people are influenced by Harry Potter movies—those individuals become far more susceptible to believing in magic. Why? Because those books and films have conditioned them to be more open to that kind of influence.

Mark Campbell5 said:

Wait, what are we even talking about here? Is this some kind of inside joke I missed? Because honestly, if you're trying to get a reaction out of me with that, you're going to have to try a little harder—though, knowing how things go around here, maybe "trying harder" is asking too much. Just a thought. kaže:
So, how exactly do psychologists view people who think they’re being possessed or whatever? Is there a specific disorder you can pin it on, or is it just someone having an incredibly overactive imagination? I mean—if they aren't showing any other red flags, does that even count? Or is total, crushing apathy actually considered a symptom in itself?🤷 If there's anyone here with actual professional expertise, I could really use an answer. 😳

Did you hear about what happened? The placebo effect—it’s one of those things that sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi flick, right? But it’s actually sitting right there in front of us, hiding in plain sight within the medical world. It’s wild when you really stop to think about how much our own minds can influence what’s happening in our bodies. We talk about medicine like it’s this absolute, objective force, but sometimes, the mere *idea* of help is enough to kickstart the engine. It’s not just some "imaginary" thing, either. There’s actual science behind it—stuff involving psychoneuroimmunology that shows how our expectations can physically alter our biological responses. It’s almost like our brains are running a background program, prepping the body for recovery before the actual chemical even hits the bloodstream. Is it magic? Probably not. Is it fascinating? Absolutely. It makes you wonder how much of our "wellness" is driven by the pills we take versus the sheer belief that they’re actually going to do something. Just something to chew on while you're waiting for your morning coffee to kick in. ?

(more at the link)


So, how does this actually work? The mechanism behind it all—the "how" of it—is what everyone keeps asking about. It’s not just some magic trick; there’s an actual process at play here.

Look, there isn't some single, objective master plan that explains exactly how the placebo effect actually works. Honestly? The whole concept of "placebo" is just way too messy and complex to pin down easily—it’s less of a concrete thing and more of a collection of various hypotheses we're still trying to untangle.

The "Expectation Model"—it’s one of those things you think you understand until you actually start peeling back the layers, right? It sounds simple enough on paper, but once you get into the weeds of how it actually shapes our reality, things get complicated fast. It’s like that feeling when you walk into a restaurant expecting a five-star meal only to realize they basically just microwaved a frozen pizza—your entire experience shifts because your internal blueprint didn't match the actual delivery. That's the core of it, isn't it? We aren't just reacting to what happens; we're reacting to the gap between what we thought would happen and what actually went down. It’s a bit of a trip when you really sit with it.
Studies show that expectations play a massive role in how people actually react when they take a placebo—it’s wild, really. It turns out your brain isn't just a passive observer; it's basically running its own internal script based on what you think is about to happen. If you go into it believing a pill is going to fix your headache, your nervous system starts prepping for relief before the chemical even hits your bloodstream. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How much of our "reality" is just us subconsciously manifesting a specific outcome because we expect it to be there? The chemical makeup of an active drug or treatment—it’s one of those things people just gloss over, isn't it? They see the label, they see the pill, and they think that's the whole story. But when you really start digging into the actual chemistry of an active compound, you realize how much of a balancing act it all is. It's not just about throwing a molecule at a problem and hoping for the best; it's about precision, molecular structure, and trying to hit a specific target without setting off a chain reaction elsewhere in the body. Honestly, it's a bit like trying to fix a delicate watch with a sledgehammer if you don't get the chemistry exactly right.
So, there’s this whole psychological theory—it's basically saying that what you think, what you believe, and even just leaning into some positive suggestion can actually move the needle on your physical health. It sounds a bit out there, right? But think about it: your sensory experiences and those constant internal monologues aren't just floating around in your head—they actually trigger specific neurochemical reactions. And once those kicks in, it sets off this whole domino effect through your entire biochemical system—we're talking your hormonal response and your immune system too. It's all connected.
So, there’s this field called Psychoneuroimmunology—or PNI, if you want to sound like you actually finished grad school—and it basically looks at how our mental states and behaviors mess with our immune response. It’s all about that two-way street between the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Pretty wild, right? Think about it: the same mechanism that triggers psychosomatic illnesses through negative attitudes and bad vibes can also work in reverse when you hit someone with a positive suggestion via the placebo effect. We're essentially seeing how our thoughts and internal psychological lives trigger neuro-immune biochemical shifts—changes that ripple through the entire physical body and can even lead to actual organ changes. That’s how diseases take hold, sure, but it works the other way around for healing, too. Honestly, PNI kind of cracks the code on why the placebo effect works, and it also explains why so many "alternative" therapies show results—because when you look at the science, the line between them isn't nearly as clear-cut as people like to pretend.
Negative expectations actually trigger what we call the nocebo effect—basically, you end up making things worse just by expecting them to be bad. It’s wild when you think about it. There are these studies where patients in the placebo group—people who didn't even get the actual medicine—start breaking out in rashes or having full-on allergic reactions. And the kicker? These symptoms show up at the exact same time as the side effects seen in the people who were actually given the active drug. It’s like the mind just decides to manifest the physical fallout. Makes you wonder how much of our "physical" reality is just us being convinced we're unwell, doesn't it?
So, get this—about 80% of patients who were given nothing but sugar water instead of actual emetics—you know, those drugs meant to make you heave—ended up throwing up anyway. It’s wild, right? There are even reports out there about people developing actual addictions to the placebo effect. Like, how does that even work? Is our brain just that much of a liar?
So, you want to talk about the placebo effect? It’s not just some magic trick—it's actually pretty wild when you look at the mechanics of it. You’ve got the therapist’s own expectations and how much they truly believe the treatment will work, paired with the patient's actual physiological response to seeing their anxiety levels drop. Honestly, those two things together are huge drivers of the whole phenomenon. It makes you wonder, doesn't it? How much of "healing" is just a feedback loop between what we expect to happen and what our bodies decide to do in response?

Think about the "conditioned reflex model" for a second—it’s basically just a learned response to medical intervention. You take a pill or even just step into a sterile doctor's office, and because you've experienced improvement before, those things become conditioned stimuli. It’s exactly like that famous Pavlovian experiment with the bell, right? So, every single time you see a doctor or swallow a new prescription, you're essentially triggering a reflexive process of improvement—otherwise known as the placebo effect.

The experiment:
So, picture this: they take a dog and start pairing the sound of a bell with injections of acetylcholine—you know, the stuff that drops blood pressure. After repeating this cycle enough times, you end up with a conditioned reflex. Basically, the dog’s blood pressure would plummet just hearing the bell, even without the actual injection. It’s a lot like that classic Pavlovian reflex where a dog starts drooling at the mere sound of a bell before any food even shows up. But here’s where things get weirdly fascinating. They decided to flip the script on the dog that had already developed this reflex. Instead of the usual acetylcholine, they hit it with an injection of adrenaline—which, by all rights, should have spiked the blood pressure. But the result? Totally unexpected. When the bell rang, the dog's blood pressure dropped anyway. Even with the adrenaline pumping through its system, the drop occurred. It turns out the placebo effect was actually more powerful than the pharmacological action of the adrenaline itself. New neural pathways had formed, creating an internal neurochemical response so strong it completely overrode the external substance being introduced. Pretty wild, right?

3. The "Opioid Model"
Basically, when you hit someone with a placebo stimulus, their body releases endorphins that act as natural painkillers. Donald Price and his crew actually demonstrated that the effects of placebo-induced analgesia—you know, that sudden inability to feel pain—can be completely wiped out if you administer naloxone, which is an opioid antagonist (an endorphin blocker).

So, look at it this way: if you tell someone they’ve been cursed, hexed, or hit by some kind of magic... whatever... and that person actually buys into it (even without a shred of scientific proof), they might start exhibiting actual physical symptoms.

It works exactly like a placebo.

The bottom line? If you don't believe it exists, it can't touch you... but if you believe it does, then you're vulnerable.

There isn't any scientific evidence that these things are real, but that doesn't mean they won't have a physiological effect on you.

Everything just boils down to what a person believes (or refuses to believe).

Of course, if you use classical conditioning—think about how much people are influenced by Harry Potter movies—those individuals become far more susceptible to believing in magic. Why? Because those books and films have conditioned them to be more open to that kind of influence.

Honestly, it all seems pretty plausible to me because I’m totally convinced that words, motivation, or even just being demotivated can have a massive impact on the vast majority of people out there.

You really have to look at the flip side of that coin, too, like imagine what kind of "positive boost" you’d get if instead of telling someone they were under a curse, you told them that a good guardian angel whispered at their birth that they’d breeze through any hardship and just have incredible luck throughout their life. You certainly wouldn't feel like you’d been blindsided by a sledgehammer to the head the way you might if someone mentioned a hex (assuming you believe in them or are at least afraid of them).

That second scenario would create such a positive vibe, and most people would probably tackle their problems with way more momentum, fueled by the belief that everything is going to turn out fine through positive visualization, which is all perfectly in line with that wonderful way you described it.

So, I was talking to this former friend of mine once—she was a total, hardcore Catholic fanatic—and she mentioned that in their local parish, they send the most extreme cases straight to Linic or some other specialized exorcist. I'm curious, does anyone here actually know anything about how that works?
Personally, I’m not really buying into that kind of stuff, but hey, since the topic's already on the table...

Hannah Alvarez2 said:So, I was talking to this former friend of mine once—she was a total, hardcore Catholic fanatic—and she mentioned that in their local parish, they send the most extreme cases straight to Linic or some other specialized exorcist. I'm curious, does anyone here actually know anything about how that works?
Personally, I’m not really buying into that kind of stuff, but hey, since the topic's already on the table...

Look, based on what I know from movies and books, there are certain symptoms that suggest a case belongs to an exorcist rather than a psychiatrist.

1. A person might suddenly develop a "gift," like clairvoyance, that they never had before.;
2. They start speaking in languages they’ve never studied—like Latin or ancient Aramaic.;
3. They speak in a completely different voice, or they levitate (and not in a graceful way 😍)—anyone who's seen "The Exorcist" knows that terrifying scene where the girl just flies right out of the bed.
4. Walking on walls in a way that is definitely not humanly possible.

So, in those specific scenarios, it’s pretty hard to argue that you're just dealing with a psychiatric issue.

restlessfox29 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering how psychologists typically view people who feel like they're being obsessed over or targeted in some way? Is that usually linked to a specific disorder, or could it just be someone having an overactive imagination? Aside from that, there aren't really any other symptoms present—unless you'd consider a total lack of interest in things to be a symptom too🤷 If there are any professionals in the group, I’d love to hear your thoughts😳

Speaking as a theologian, I can tell you one thing: very few people experience what is classically and "by the book" defined as possession. Most of those who think they are possessed actually aren't, which is why they end up seeing a psychiatrist rather than seeking help from clergy or religious institutions. And I think it will stay that way...

Furthermore, those dealing with spiritual disturbances almost always have underlying psychological or mental health issues, but it doesn't necessarily work the other way around.

For instance, I can often tell quite quickly whether someone is experiencing a spiritual issue or if there is another cause, and most experts in this field can do the same. The symptoms in the first case are distinct from those with purely mental health struggles, even when their outward behavior looks identical...

Susan Price30 said:Speaking as a theologian, I can tell you one thing: very few people experience what is classically and "by the book" defined as possession. Most of those who think they are possessed actually aren't, which is why they end up seeing a psychiatrist rather than seeking help from clergy or religious institutions. And I think it will stay that way...

Furthermore, those dealing with spiritual disturbances almost always have underlying psychological or mental health issues, but it doesn't necessarily work the other way around.

For instance, I can often tell quite quickly whether someone is experiencing a spiritual issue or if there is another cause, and most experts in this field can do the same. The symptoms in the first case are distinct from those with purely mental health struggles, even when their outward behavior looks identical...

So, as a theologian, do you actually believe in the existence of demonic possession? This is a real question, even if it seems like a theoretical one at first glance. 🙂

Follow-up question: Are you arguing that the symptoms described above (at least some of them) are specific indicators of possession that distinguish it from standard mental illness? And if so, according to theological doctrine, what exactly are the symptoms of possession?

Jamie Chase6 said:Look, based on what I know from movies and books, there are certain symptoms that suggest a case belongs to an exorcist rather than a psychiatrist.

1. A person might suddenly develop a "gift," like clairvoyance, that they never had before.;
2. They start speaking in languages they’ve never studied—like Latin or ancient Aramaic.;
3. They speak in a completely different voice, or they levitate (and not in a graceful way 😍)—anyone who's seen "The Exorcist" knows that terrifying scene where the girl just flies right out of the bed.
4. Walking on walls in a way that is definitely not humanly possible.

So, in those specific scenarios, it’s pretty hard to argue that you're just dealing with a psychiatric issue.

Look, sorry, I'm just way too much of a skeptic to buy any of that until I see it with my own two eyes.
Anyone here actually work in the field? Psychiatric professionals, obviously.🙂

Susan Price30 said:Speaking as a theologian, I can tell you one thing: very few people experience what is classically and "by the book" defined as possession. Most of those who think they are possessed actually aren't, which is why they end up seeing a psychiatrist rather than seeking help from clergy or religious institutions. And I think it will stay that way...

Furthermore, those dealing with spiritual disturbances almost always have underlying psychological or mental health issues, but it doesn't necessarily work the other way around.

For instance, I can often tell quite quickly whether someone is experiencing a spiritual issue or if there is another cause, and most experts in this field can do the same. The symptoms in the first case are distinct from those with purely mental health struggles, even when their outward behavior looks identical...

Wow, can you please give me an example??😲
Have you seriously run into possessed people?? How do you know they didn't just hit their heads or something?

P.S. Sorry mods, I didn't see this post earlier, otherwise I would've used the multi-quote feature..

Jamie Chase6 said:So, as a theologian, do you actually believe in the existence of demonic possession? This is a real question, even if it seems like a theoretical one at first glance. 🙂

Follow-up question: Are you arguing that the symptoms described above (at least some of them) are specific indicators of possession that distinguish it from standard mental illness? And if so, according to theological doctrine, what exactly are the symptoms of possession?

Of course I believe in it. 😁

You’ve highlighted several symptoms there,🙏 though it could also be oppression or something else entirely. By asking the right questions when someone reaches out for help, you can often discern whether it's one or the other. But honestly, that isn't my field, and I wouldn't want it to be, to be perfectly frank.

nimblecanyon53 said:Honestly, it all seems pretty plausible to me because I’m totally convinced that words, motivation, or even just being demotivated can have a massive impact on the vast majority of people out there.

You really have to look at the flip side of that coin, too, like imagine what kind of "positive boost" you’d get if instead of telling someone they were under a curse, you told them that a good guardian angel whispered at their birth that they’d breeze through any hardship and just have incredible luck throughout their life. You certainly wouldn't feel like you’d been blindsided by a sledgehammer to the head the way you might if someone mentioned a hex (assuming you believe in them or are at least afraid of them).

That second scenario would create such a positive vibe, and most people would probably tackle their problems with way more momentum, fueled by the belief that everything is going to turn out fine through positive visualization, which is all perfectly in line with that wonderful way you described it.

Yeah, focusing on positive influences is almost always better than leaning on negative ones. Positive motivation tends to yield much better results.

Negative reinforcement is used for intimidation, and honestly, it can be incredibly effective. For instance, humans are basically the only animals—if you consider us just a specific subspecies of primate—that you can actually intimidate using the threat of future punishment.

If you tell a dog you’re going to punish him, he doesn't really process the concept. But if you tell a person they’re facing consequences, you can essentially turn them into a slave. Granted, that depends on the individual, but that’s the fundamental logic behind slavery. That’s precisely why those systems functioned the way they did.

Here’s a decent video on the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbp6umQT58A

Jamie Chase6 said:Look, based on what I know from movies and books, there are certain symptoms that suggest a case belongs to an exorcist rather than a psychiatrist.

1. A person might suddenly develop a "gift," like clairvoyance, that they never had before.;
2. They start speaking in languages they’ve never studied—like Latin or ancient Aramaic.;
3. They speak in a completely different voice, or they levitate (and not in a graceful way 😍)—anyone who's seen "The Exorcist" knows that terrifying scene where the girl just flies right out of the bed.
4. Walking on walls in a way that is definitely not humanly possible.

So, in those specific scenarios, it’s pretty hard to argue that you're just dealing with a psychiatric issue.

That brings up the question of whether evil can actually cross over from one dimension to another. Because possession would imply someone from another reality is controlling a person in ours. Right now, that’s impossible to prove, which is why cases of possession are usually left to the exorcists.

Currently, there’s zero empirical evidence to confirm possession, so it’s not really a scientific reality. It remains in the realm of illusion or faith—which, let's be honest, is often just the influence of people in your immediate circle. An exorcist will often "confirm" the presence of outside influences just because they're nearby. So, in a strictly factual sense? It doesn't exist.

Mark Campbell5 said:Yeah, focusing on positive influences is almost always better than leaning on negative ones. Positive motivation tends to yield much better results.

Negative reinforcement is used for intimidation, and honestly, it can be incredibly effective. For instance, humans are basically the only animals—if you consider us just a specific subspecies of primate—that you can actually intimidate using the threat of future punishment.

If you tell a dog you’re going to punish him, he doesn't really process the concept. But if you tell a person they’re facing consequences, you can essentially turn them into a slave. Granted, that depends on the individual, but that’s the fundamental logic behind slavery. That’s precisely why those systems functioned the way they did.

Here’s a decent video on the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbp6umQT58A

That brings up the question of whether evil can actually cross over from one dimension to another. Because possession would imply someone from another reality is controlling a person in ours. Right now, that’s impossible to prove, which is why cases of possession are usually left to the exorcists.

Currently, there’s zero empirical evidence to confirm possession, so it’s not really a scientific reality. It remains in the realm of illusion or faith—which, let's be honest, is often just the influence of people in your immediate circle. An exorcist will often "confirm" the presence of outside influences just because they're nearby. So, in a strictly factual sense? It doesn't exist.

I know this is a bit of a tangent, but that's not quite how it works... If you beat a dog every single time he chews up your shoes, after a while, he’s gonna start getting "triggered" just by seeing the shoes themselves. He won't even think about chewing them again because he's terrified of what happens next.

Jamie Chase6 said:Look, based on what I know from movies and books, there are certain symptoms that suggest a case belongs to an exorcist rather than a psychiatrist.

1. A person might suddenly develop a "gift," like clairvoyance, that they never had before.;
2. They start speaking in languages they’ve never studied—like Latin or ancient Aramaic.;
3. They speak in a completely different voice, or they levitate (and not in a graceful way 😍)—anyone who's seen "The Exorcist" knows that terrifying scene where the girl just flies right out of the bed.
4. Walking on walls in a way that is definitely not humanly possible.

So, in those specific scenarios, it’s pretty hard to argue that you're just dealing with a psychiatric issue.

There are people out there who take meditation and the whole ascetic lifestyle seriously. They live completely off the grid, away from this insane pace of life we deal with, totally surrendered to spirituality and MEDITATION. If you’ve ever messed around with meditation techniques or even just tried to chill out and quiet your mind for a second, you probably noticed how easy it is to recall things in that altered state—that alpha state. Memories just float to the surface. Actually, there might be a real explanation for those "possession" signs you're seeing. Think of it like looking at a lake during a rainstorm. You’re standing on the shore or a bridge, staring at the water, but all you see are the ripples from the raindrops hitting the surface. You can't see what's sitting at the bottom. Our thoughts work the exact same way; they cloud our consciousness. But once the rain stops and the water goes still, everything at the bottom becomes crystal clear. Through long-term practice and meditation, we can actually peek into our subconscious. Those symptoms of yours? They could be experiences or perhaps a sort of language used by our ancestors that's been stored away in our subconscious. Some yoginis have gone so deep into meditation that they claim to remember when we were nothing more than amoebas. So, those signs of possession might just be moments where those ancestral experiences override your conscious mind, making you speak in those ancient languages you mentioned. 🤷

"Quote:"

Hannah Alvarez2 said:I know this is a bit of a tangent, but that's not quite how it works... If you beat a dog every single time he chews up your shoes, after a while, he’s gonna start getting "triggered" just by seeing the shoes themselves. He won't even think about chewing them again because he's terrified of what happens next.

You're absolutely right.

That’s what you call it. So, I was sitting around thinking about those old Pavlovian reflexes—you know, the whole "bell rings, dog drools" cliché we all learned in grade school—and it got me wondering how much of our own "automatic" behavior is just us being programmed by our environment. It’s kind of wild when you really dig into it, isn't it? We like to think we’re these hyper-rational, independent thinkers, but half the time we're just reacting to triggers like we've been wired that way from birth. Is it actually free will, or are we just a collection of conditioned responses running on autopilot? Just a thought.

I’m sure most of you have already heard about the Pavlovian reflex. It’s basically just a conditioned response triggered by some random stimulus. There was this Russian physiologist—who actually snagged a Nobel Prize for that discovery, by the way—who ran this experiment with dogs. He’d give them food whenever he played a specific sound, and after a while, the poor things would start drooling at nothing more than the sound itself, just waiting for the meal to show up. Simple enough, right?

It’s the exact same deal when it comes to people... honestly.

Honestly, it’s pretty obvious why humans and dogs are so much easier to domesticate than, say, cats. There's just a different fundamental wiring there—and that’s exactly why it’s possible to turn people into mindless drones if you play your cards right.

Give it a shot, babe. 😁

Mark Campbell5 said:Yeah, focusing on positive influences is almost always better than leaning on negative ones. Positive motivation tends to yield much better results.

Negative reinforcement is used for intimidation, and honestly, it can be incredibly effective. For instance, humans are basically the only animals—if you consider us just a specific subspecies of primate—that you can actually intimidate using the threat of future punishment.

If you tell a dog you’re going to punish him, he doesn't really process the concept. But if you tell a person they’re facing consequences, you can essentially turn them into a slave. Granted, that depends on the individual, but that’s the fundamental logic behind slavery. That’s precisely why those systems functioned the way they did.

Here’s a decent video on the subject:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbp6umQT58A

That brings up the question of whether evil can actually cross over from one dimension to another. Because possession would imply someone from another reality is controlling a person in ours. Right now, that’s impossible to prove, which is why cases of possession are usually left to the exorcists.

Currently, there’s zero empirical evidence to confirm possession, so it’s not really a scientific reality. It remains in the realm of illusion or faith—which, let's be honest, is often just the influence of people in your immediate circle. An exorcist will often "confirm" the presence of outside influences just because they're nearby. So, in a strictly factual sense? It doesn't exist.

There’s no scientific proof that God exists.
Look, there’s no scientific proof that God exists, but there’s also no scientific proof that He *doesn't*.
Science lacks evidence for plenty of things and phenomena that definitely exist. I have massive respect for science, but let's be real: science isn't the absolute final word on everything.

Thomas Bailey59 said:There are people out there who take meditation and the whole ascetic lifestyle seriously. They live completely off the grid, away from this insane pace of life we deal with, totally surrendered to spirituality and MEDITATION. If you’ve ever messed around with meditation techniques or even just tried to chill out and quiet your mind for a second, you probably noticed how easy it is to recall things in that altered state—that alpha state. Memories just float to the surface. Actually, there might be a real explanation for those "possession" signs you're seeing. Think of it like looking at a lake during a rainstorm. You’re standing on the shore or a bridge, staring at the water, but all you see are the ripples from the raindrops hitting the surface. You can't see what's sitting at the bottom. Our thoughts work the exact same way; they cloud our consciousness. But once the rain stops and the water goes still, everything at the bottom becomes crystal clear. Through long-term practice and meditation, we can actually peek into our subconscious. Those symptoms of yours? They could be experiences or perhaps a sort of language used by our ancestors that's been stored away in our subconscious. Some yoginis have gone so deep into meditation that they claim to remember when we were nothing more than amoebas. So, those signs of possession might just be moments where those ancestral experiences override your conscious mind, making you speak in those ancient languages you mentioned. 🤷

That’s all well and good, but I wasn't talking about ascetics or people dedicated to meditation here. I'm talking about cases where a regular person—someone who doesn't live, say, in Tibet😍—starts behaving in the way described above. Usually, we're looking at psychiatric patients, though sometimes (given the symptoms mentioned earlier) it really is a case of possession.
Vatican City is extremely cautious and suspicious about this. They only step in once psychiatry has officially washed its hands of a case—specifically when the symptoms are "supernatural" in nature, like what was described before. That's when the exorcist enters the scene. The Church isn't going to take that risk; they won't just accept psychiatric cases under the table. Doing so wouldn't just be unprofessional, it would be incredibly dangerous, not to mention a total disaster for their credibility. So, Vatican City has very clear rules regarding this, and...criteria for when someone actually decides to call in an exorcist.

Hannah Alvarez2 said:So, I was talking to this former friend of mine once—she was a total, hardcore Catholic fanatic—and she mentioned that in their local parish, they send the most extreme cases straight to Linic or some other specialized exorcist. I'm curious, does anyone here actually know anything about how that works?
Personally, I’m not really buying into that kind of stuff, but hey, since the topic's already on the table...

There’s actually a psychiatrist out in the suburbs who runs a practice like that.
Can't recall the guy's name for the life of me—hell, I haven't actually needed to see him yet. 😁
Maybe try running a search through some PDFs; he should be mentioned in there somewhere.

restlessfox29 said:Hey everyone, I was wondering how psychologists typically view people who feel like they're being obsessed over or targeted in some way? Is that usually linked to a specific disorder, or could it just be someone having an overactive imagination? Aside from that, there aren't really any other symptoms present—unless you'd consider a total lack of interest in things to be a symptom too🤷 If there are any professionals in the group, I’d love to hear your thoughts😳

Since I've been digging into this lately, I'll try to answer. Most psychiatrists and psychologists dismiss the idea of possession entirely, and honestly, plenty of theologians and priests feel the same way. Still, you do have some psychiatrists who refer patients to an exorcist, and vice versa.

I used to be a skeptic myself, until I stumbled upon St. Peter's book, "Liar." It dives into the phenomenon of evil and details two exorcisms he personally witnessed. He argues that the signs of possession align perfectly with Christian descriptions—things like speaking foreign or forgotten languages, superhuman strength, knowing secrets, or even levitation...

The fact that these cases aren't as rare as you'd think is backed up by the most famous exorcist in Rome, Gabriele Amorth. The man performed tens of thousands of deliverance prayers.

My take? Possession is real and goes beyond what psychiatry can handle. The tricky part is that the symptoms often mimic mental illness, and things like superhuman strength usually only show up during the actual exorcism, rarely before that...

Bottom line: see a psychiatrist first. If they can't help, then maybe talk to a priest. They say an experienced exorcist can spot a possessed person instantly...