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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
demonic possession and mental illness	Gregory	Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Question: Would it be possible for the demons to mimic symptoms of mental illness, for example schizofrenia in a person they possess, thus be able to evade prayers for the persons deliverence including exorcism?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear Gregory: I am not sure when you posted this question. It suddenly popped up in our queue with a 2007 date. Anyway, I am answering it now. Yes, demons can mimic psychiatric conditions, and demonic symptoms can appear to be psychiatric when they are not. This is why a careful assessment of the demonized person is required. But, absolute discernment of where the lines are drawn between what is psychiatric and what is demonic is not required and often can never be fully known. Either way, the prayers for deliverance are the same. The demons will respond to the prayers in any event. It can be difficult, however, if there are psychiatric issues present, depending on the severity, as the psychiatric symptoms can not only mask a demonic presence, but get in the way of the person cooperating with the deliverance. This problem is more acute in deliverance as opposed to a formal church-approved exorcism. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

demonic possession and mental illness

Gregory

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Question:

Would it be possible for the demons to mimic symptoms of mental illness, for example schizofrenia in a person they possess, thus be able to evade prayers for the persons deliverence including exorcism?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Gregory:

I am not sure when you posted this question. It suddenly popped up in our queue with a 2007 date. Anyway, I am answering it now.

Yes, demons can mimic psychiatric conditions, and demonic symptoms can appear to be psychiatric when they are not. This is why a careful assessment of the demonized person is required. But, absolute discernment of where the lines are drawn between what is psychiatric and what is demonic is not required and often can never be fully known. Either way, the prayers for deliverance are the same. The demons will respond to the prayers in any event.

It can be difficult, however, if there are psychiatric issues present, depending on the severity, as the psychiatric symptoms can not only mask a demonic presence, but get in the way of the person cooperating with the deliverance. This problem is more acute in deliverance as opposed to a formal church-approved exorcism.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.