This is why i'm hear, because i'm missing something. I've dam near have my voice gone, but need that little push. whether a pill would help (never went the pill route because always believed it would weaken me)(both me and wife argeed on this) but i did something to my mind with all the meth use, i just can't figure how to close that door.
Perspectives -
You may find it helpful to Google - 'spirit possession cured by medication'
http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2005/04/classic_case_psychi.html
1994 a curious case-report was published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. It described a man who believed he was possessed by a spirit and was successfully treated by medication. Unusually however, the article mentioned that other people had seen the ghost.
Belief in possession is not uncommon in psychosis, the mental state that can sometimes accompany severe mental illness and typically involves delusions and hallucinations.
Psychiatry usually assumes all such experiences to be tricks of the mind, rather than the result of other-worldly powers.
The case-report by Anthony Hale and Narsimha Pinninti (summary) is almost unique however, in that it suggests that the authors are unsure whether the possession was mental illness or spiritual intervention.
As well as making for a gripping read, it reveals some of the assumptions and difficulties of contemporary psychiatry.
* * *
...........
We were disturbed by a telephone call from the prison chaplain who described seeing the ghost possess the patient in prison, seeing a descending cloud and an impression of a face alarmingly like a description of the dead woman given to us by the patient, of which the chaplain denied prior knowledge. Similar reports came from frightened cellmates. He and our hospital chaplain concurred on genuine possession. This is an acceptable belief within pastoral counselling (Issacs, 1987).
Western medical belief systems led us to a differential diagnosis of dissociative state or paranoid schizophrenia. However, we were conscious that the beliefs of at least four priests from three different religions cast doubt on the delusional nature of the phenomena.
Exorcism having failed, we prescribed trifluoperazine (4mg daily) producing apparent remission. Following return to remand prison, he was commenced on a depot neuroleptic, zuclopenthixol decanoate, remaing in remission 12 weeks later following hospital transfer.
I am not saying that your possessed - far from it. I can also relate to the opening of doors in the mind due to drug usage. I've had a great struggle with psychiatry & prescribed meds - but I do have a lot more acceptance of these issues today.
I can't speak as to what definitely is going on here, or has gone on - in relation to what I've personally experienced. I see these things in terms of different levels or perspectives - Loosely categorised as Physical (Biological) - Psychological & Spiritual. With many sub categories in each. If I'm looking at an Earthed perspective - then I can see that certain Trauma's, & aspects of upbringing, family situations & inter-personal relationships, as well as life experiences; lead to a certain amount of mental & emotional pain - I took street drugs & drink primarily to deal with that pain; & that in turn exasperated 'psychosis' - & my recovery & healing path is in relaxing & letting go of the past & the pain. & of accepting certain biological predispositions, organic brain functioning, & genetic factors in these experiences (which I don't class however as primary cause).
I can also go into more psychological explanations that cross over into more spiritual perspectives. Examples like - there being a deep rooted need for change in the pre-psychotic personality - an overwhelming of the conscious mind by the content of the unconscious - the emergence of the shadow ect ect ect.
On spiritual interpretations - I can look at things as spiritual imbalances - of needing to draw in negativity to remain grounded in the physical - to process karmic influences & issues ect.
I don't think that any one factor or perspective is either at sole cause - or can be used as sole explanation - in fact no explanation or combination of explanations can be used to prove anything. What we are left with is largely mysterious - no one really knows. I sometimes question whether I would have been worse off if I'd never taken street drugs?
Where my focus is - is on what the solutions are. I have to accept; & given present society, circumstances & the World in which we live - that there are no apparent definite solutions - part of learning to cope is in accepting & acknowledging that I/We have these 'conditions' & experiences. But there are many things that have helped me to cope better with things, & to increase my well being. The list is long - reducing stress, relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, good diet & food, exercise, talking with people, safe environments, reading up on the subjects of MH recovery, 12 step recovery, developing a personal spirituality, alternative & holistic healers, friends & family, - you get the idea - Whether someone is unwell or not - there are very well known things that can benefit peoples well being, & we all have the same needs.
I also have to accept that prescribed medication, has for me played a part, given my circumstances & history, in helping me to have a certain quality of life.
I don't take the tablets for the reasons that the Doctor prescribes them. I have my own reasons. At the exclusion of proper psychological help & comprehensive social support - The tablets do stop me from disappearing completely through the Door of my Mind into a totally subjective
psychotic Universe. & for that - these days - I am grateful.
Things should be your personal choice. if I could heal & function without meds then I would love to.
I hope that some of that may be of some help.
