Mental Illnesses In Greek Mythology

Depicted in films around the world mental illness is often mistaken for possession by the unworldly. The Bible has demonstrated the existence of mental illness and demonic possessions bordering the same plane for centuries. Mark 6:13, “And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.”. It is only until recent years that with the help of psychiatric doctors the Catholic church has adjusted their procedures when distinguishing the difference between demonic possession and mental illness.

Over the years the Vatican has been very cautious about whom has the ability to exercise someone in need of spiritual relief. There are only a select few priest actually equipped to handle such matters of an exorcism. The Catholic Church has courses regarding demonology and the distinction of whether a person is in need of psychiatric or medical attention or in rare cases, an exorcism. This was depicted in the popular 2011 horror film The Rite starring Anthony Hopkins. In the film the main character is shown attending these courses to help gather more priests to assist with the rising volume of demonic possessions in America. Psychiatrist act as a medical barrier able to separate traditional characteristics of a mentally ill being, while a priest can separate the supernatural characteristics of a demonic possession. Psychiatric consultations and interviews allow the pair to divulge a

This distinct marker in a person is deciphered through interviews with a priest and or psychiatrist. Someone under demonic possession is known to speak in different languages not know to the individual before. This includes speaking in tongues and “dead” languages no longer known by the common man. Individuals with psychiatric needs and mental illness are known to speak in their native tongue and in loopy statements full of gibberish. Sentences are often incomplete and not