Is obsessive-compulsive disorder a sign of demonic possession?

[Lucian Hodoboc]

I've been struggling with it since I was a child. They say that it's a mental disorder, but I've experienced things that led me to believe that it's demonic possession or, at the very least, oppression. What do you think? Should I ask a priest to perform an exorcism on me and then rebaptize me? How does an exorcism even work? Can you die during one?

 

[SkyWriting]

I've been struggling with it since I was a child. They say that it's a mental disorder, but I've experienced things that led me to believe that it's demonic possession or, at the very least, oppression. What do you think? Should I ask a priest to perform an exorcism on me and then rebaptize me? How does an exorcism even work? Can you die during one?

It's not demonic possession other than in the sense if your brain was God's you'd be perfect. Becasue we are separated from God, we all are messed up.

 

[devin553344]

I've been struggling with it since I was a child. They say that it's a mental disorder, but I've experienced things that led me to believe that it's demonic possession or, at the very least, oppression. What do you think? Should I ask a priest to perform an exorcism on me and then rebaptize me? How does an exorcism even work? Can you die during one?

If you give into the idea of demonic possession then you're back in the old days when doctors would do terrible things to you to try and vent the demons.

So long story short. We have medications now days that prove demonic possession is incorrect.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

such thinking is grossly unhelpful and extremely dangerous.

please don't...

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

So long story short. We have medications now days that prove demonic possession is incorrect.

Do we, really? You call medication that alleviates one symptom and brings 10 awful side effects an optimum solution?

Most psychiatric doctors nowadays are like this: "Here are some pills. They will make you focus less on your obsessive thoughts... and also give you: tachycardia, insomnia, difficulty breathing, uncontrollable tremor, dizziness, restlessness, nausea and generalized anxiety."

 

[Mathetes66]

You are a wise man Lucian to see through the mantra of doctors, 'take this med &... Sometimes meds are necessary for awhile so I realize that. Taking antibiotics for 8 days saved my physical life once. Our bodies get out of sync & meds should be needed until our bodies & minds are restored to balance & healing.

But you do need to get godly counsel from your spiritual overseers, for them to pray with and over you, in determining if the source is demonic oppression or not.

I will pray for your for God's answers. Bless you my brother!

 

[FireDragon76]

Posession, no. People that are truly possessed don't even have it cross their mind. Oppression? Maybe, but you're still better off looking for more prosaic or ordinary explanations.

Some people are just nervous by nature. I would recommend spending more time with prayer, or scientifically researched methods of insight or mindfulness meditation. Exercise is also good. You need to do physical or mental stuff that untangles your mind and keeps it from ruminating (over-thinking). Too much thinking can actually be bad for you.

 

[JacobKStarkey]

Of course ocd could be possession, but most likely it is mental.

Talk to your priest.

 

[Celticroots]

No it is not a sign of demonic possession. This type of thinking is dangerous and has no place in the 21st century.

We live in an age where we have knowledge at our finger tips. You could easily Google OCD. Educate yourself.

Regarding medication, it can be a life saver for many. It was for me. Don’t knock medication.

 

[Celticroots]

Of course ocd could be possession, but most likely it is mental.

Talk to your priest.

Your priest is the worst person you should talk to this about. Priests are not trained in mental health issues of any kind and will most likely make the situation worse.

A mental health professional is the person you need to talk to.

 

[JacobKStarkey]

Talk to your priest, Lucian, and I should have included your medical doctor as well. Many priests are trained to recognize mental health issues and give referrals. If your priest does not or cannot or will not, then seek medical help on your own. But refusing to seek priestly counsel because they are not medical professionals is unwise.

 

[FireDragon76]

Your priest is the worst person you should talk to this about. Priests are not trained in mental health issues of any kind and will most likely make the situation worse.

A mental health professional is the person you need to talk to.

In most mainline churches and in Roman Catholicism, priests and pastors have basic knowledge of counseling, they are not uneducated.

 

[Celticroots]

Do we, really? You call medication that alleviates one symptom and brings 10 awful side effects an optimum solution?

Most psychiatric doctors nowadays are like this: "Here are some pills. They will make you focus less on your obsessive thoughts... and also give you: tachycardia, insomnia, difficulty breathing, uncontrollable tremor, dizziness, restlessness, nausea and generalized anxiety."

Medications have side effects. Not every person gets every side effect. Then there’s changing medication. That’s an option.

I didn’t experience any side effects from medication. And medication is often used along with Exposure Response Prevention, not as a sole means is treating OCD.

 

[Celticroots]

In most mainline churches and in Roman Catholicism, priests and pastors have basic knowledge of counseling, they are not uneducated.

The most they are trained in is pre marital counseling or spiritual problems, not serious mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders. The vast majority are uneducated about mental health issues. I would not trust a pastor to handle this appropriately. In fact they would most likely give advice that would make the OCD worse.

The best person to see would be a mental health professional.

 

[FireDragon76]

The most they are trained in is pre marital counseling or spiritual problems, not serious mental health issues like depression or anxiety disorders. The vast majority are uneducated about mental health issues. I would not trust a pastor to handle this appropriately. In fact they would most likely give advice that would make the OCD worse.

The best person to see would be a mental health professional.

They can know when they are over their heads and refer you to a specialist.

My pastor is not uneducated about mental health issues. He is not a clinical therapist, but neither is he a witch doctor.

I had alot of anxiety as a teen and talking to a Presbyterian chaplain helped alot. I had limited access to mental healthcare, and honestly, the talk with the chaplain did more good long term as she told me some sober realities about my religious attitudes that were harming me mentally and spiritually. They can do most of the same stuff a good humanistic psychologist can do.

 

[NBB]

Actually in my case, i had those famous intrusive thoughts that always are something you worry about and persistent, and it was a spiritual problem, solved now, i didn't have those anymore.
Also, people that tell you are in the 21 century and demons don't exist anymore are wrong. They are very active and more against people who get close to God.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

You could easily Google OCD. Educate yourself.

I don't use Google. I use another search engine.

Regarding medication, it can be a life saver for many. It was for me. Don’t knock medication.

Well, the OCD medication almost got me in the hospital with severe physical symptoms. Many of the ones I listed above.

 

[devin553344]

Do we, really? You call medication that alleviates one symptom and brings 10 awful side effects an optimum solution?

Most psychiatric doctors nowadays are like this: "Here are some pills. They will make you focus less on your obsessive thoughts... and also give you: tachycardia, insomnia, difficulty breathing, uncontrollable tremor, dizziness, restlessness, nausea and generalized anxiety."

Sorry to hear that. I had to try out different medications for 3+ years and went thru hell, but finally found a medication that only has 1 side effect: mild hunger increase. But I'm schizophrenic.

 

[HTacianas]

I've been struggling with it since I was a child. They say that it's a mental disorder, but I've experienced things that led me to believe that it's demonic possession or, at the very least, oppression. What do you think? Should I ask a priest to perform an exorcism on me and then rebaptize me? How does an exorcism even work? Can you die during one?

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental disorder. It is not a sign of demonic possession. Your disorder may cause you to obsess over your religious convictions and it would be helpful to speak with a priest about it. Your priest may even recommend that you speak with a therapist.

While I am neither a priest nor a therapist I cannot imagine either a priest or a therapist each not recommending that you consult with the other about how you are feeling.

But please be careful about anyone offering some sort of "homebrew exorcism" as a cure all.

 

[Francis Drake]

I've been struggling with it since I was a child. They say that it's a mental disorder, but I've experienced things that led me to believe that it's demonic possession or, at the very least, oppression. What do you think? Should I ask a priest to perform an exorcism on me and then rebaptize me? How does an exorcism even work? Can you die during one?

Almost certainly its demonic.
Demonisation should be no big deal for Christians as we all have the authority in Jesus Christ to cast them out.