Peer review article 1 Schebania Charles Jan 18 7:01am Module 1 Case Study Discussion For many centuries, the fight between good and evil has existed. Throughout history anything that could not be explained or behavior that was not culturally accepted was believed to be evil. Exorcism was the treatment of choice and continues to be practiced till this day. There are documentaries, movies depicting exorcisms and rituals, and the controversy continues. Researchers and scientists are still trying to figure out the relationship between mental illness and religion (Barlow et al., 2022). Religion is important for many people and with the extensive presence of mental health issues and struggles, mental health treatment is necessary (Oxhandler et al., 2024). Oxhandler et al. (2024) states that research has suggested integrating religion from patients and treatment improves clinical outcomes. In the case of the Australian man, he is going through a psychological breakdown. One could say that he might even have a psychological disorder. He is clearly in distress and is in need of help. This man has no history of being religious, however, after two months of Ouija board he now believes in spiritual possession. Due to the failed exorcism attempts he has been referred to outpatient psychiatric treatment. Is this considered psychopathology? I would have to say yes. Barlow et al. (2022) states Psychopathology is the scientific study of psychological disorders. Reviewing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), criteria he falls under the section of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders. I initially thought he fell into the category of schizophrenia, however, reading more into the DSM-5 criteria I believe it could be delusional disorder. Delusional disorders and schizophrenia have always been a popular topic of discussion. Delusional disorder may have some similarities, but it is different from schizophrenia. There have been lots of research studies about the similarities and differences between the two. According to Hui et al. (2023) reviews and studies suggest there is a comparison with paranoid psychosis to delusional disorders regarding the onset of age and being older. Also, there is shorter hospital stays, affecting more women than men and greater social disadvantages (Hui et al., 2023). Social functioning is better in patients with delusional disorder, as opposed to the negative symptoms of Schizophrenia (Hui et al., 2023). Delusional disorder usually affects people later in life. As opposed to schizophrenia which can start in late teens. Hui et al. (2023) states research and studies are still inconclusive about the differences in the two because of biases in the sample study from the systemic review. When it comes to schizophrenia, daily function may become impaired. There is also lots of disorganized thoughts and behaviors, as well as negative symptoms (Hui et al., 2023). Religious faith, practice and beliefs provide understanding and chances for communities and individuals in cultural contexts (Prati, 2024). It is important that mental health practitioners and other professionals carefully address and assess the outcomes and potential benefits and risks associated with the practices of mental health. There are numerous problems related to religion and its importance to mental health. Religious experiences and its connection to psychological outcomes is an important subject for research in the future and will continue to be a debate (Prati, 2024). References Barlow, D. H., Durand, V. M., & Hofmann, S. G. (2022). Psychopathology: An Integrative Approach to Mental Disorders. Hui, C. L. M., Chiu, T. C., Chan, E. W. T., Hui, P. W. M., Tao, T. J., Suen, Y. N., Chan, S. K. W., Chang, W. C., Lee, E. H. M., & Chen, E. Y. H. (2023). Age-matched versus non-age-matched comparison of clinical and functional differences between delusional disorder and schizophrenia: a systematic review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1272833Links to an external site. Oxhandler, H. K., Polson, E. C., Pearce, M., Vieten, C., & Pargament, K. I. (2024). Current Mental Health Clients’ Religious/Spiritual Beliefs and Practices: A National survey. Social Work Research, 48(3), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svae014Links to an external site. Prati, G. (2024). Is religion beneficial for mental health? A 9-year longitudinal study. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 24(3), 100491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100491Links to an external site. • • Reply to post from Schebania CharlesReply Mark as UnreadMark as Unread Peer review article 2 Kelly Zukowski Jan 17 1:58pm| Module One: Case Study The relationship between mental illness and religion dates to as early as 600 BC as documented by the Persian Empire. Physical and mental ailments were attributed to supernatural beings such as devils, witches and sorcery. This relationship can still be noted today in our everyday culture with movies, television shows and books. Since that time modern science has mostly aided the progression of psychopathology forward. Although, in the 2014 M.K. Irmac wrote an article, “Schizophrenia or Possession,” in the peer-reviewed Journal of Religion and Health discussing the possibility that schizophrenia may be caused by demonic possession. This controversial article has been reviewed and somewhat debunked for perpetuating the notion of demonic possession. Many have even maintained that perpetuating such a notion can be a barrier to patient treatment, suggesting that patients will seek treatment from faith healers instead of psychiatric providers. Koenig (2023) summarizes, “that in some cultures up to the present and in virtually every major religion at some point and time, adherents have viewed persons with psychotic disorders as possessing spiritual powers/insights, or alternatively, have understood psychosis in terms of possession by spirits or demons. Treatment in these cultures often involve exorcisms.” (p.579). A salient concept noted is that the provider working with the Australian 44 y.o. male patient does not need to believe in possession but rather understands that possession is a meaningful concept for the patient. Religions have different criteria for defining demonic possession and subsequent various exorcism rituals. In our relevant pop culture of today a Ouija board is seen as a conduit to communicate with spirits or ghosts. This patient has undergone two exorcisms prior to seeking out psychiatric treatment. Clearly this patient is experiencing psychological distress as he admits he was not religious prior to playing with the Ouija board but has sought help from two different churches. This psychological dysfunction continues to cause the man distress and is impairing his quality of life as evidenced by him continuing to seek treatment. This means that he is suffering from an undiagnosed psychological disorder. His treatment plan will need to respect his personal belief of demonic possession while exploring his true etiology to establish aa accurate diagnosis. In the article “Demons of the Couch: Spirit or Possession, Exorcisms and the DSM-5,” Sersch (2019) attributes that “possession simply falls outside the boundaries of the material world; therefore, at its best it is to be ignored, at its worst ridiculed, or dismissed as some other form of mental illness (p. 386). In the realm of mental illness patients who claim they are experiencing demonic possession; a common differential diagnosis is dissociative identity disorder (DID) is often noted. The DSM third edition defined multiple personality disorder (MPD), although by the fourth edition of the DSM, MPD was replaced by DID. In the revised fourth edition of the DSM-4, DID variants were added to clarify if the alternative identity was indeed a demon or spirit so Dissociative Trance Disorder and Possession Trance Disorder were also added to the DSM-4 manual at this time. By adding these variants, it has opened new modalities for patient treatment. Our Australian male patient will need to continue following with a mental health care provider to establish a diagnosis for his psychological dysfunction. References Durand, V. M., Barlow, D. H., & Hofman, S. G. (2022). Essentials of abnormal psychology (8th ed.). Cengage Learning. Koenig, H.G. (2024). Schizophrenia or Possession? A Rejoinder to Irmak. Journal of Religion & Health, 63(1), 577-581. https//doi.org/10.1007/s10943-023-01764-0. Sersch, M. J. (2019). Demons on the couch: Spirit possession, exorcisms and the dsm-5 (1st ed.). Cambridge Scholars Publishing. https://doi.org/10.31275/2020/1751. 
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