Editing Exorcism (section)

==Scientific view==
[[Demonic possession]] is not a [[psychiatry|psychiatric]] or medical diagnosis recognized by either the [[DSM-5]] or the [[International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems|ICD-10]]. Those who profess a belief in demonic possession have sometimes ascribed to possession the symptoms associated with physical or [[mental disorder|mental illnesses]], such as [[hysteria]], [[mania]], [[psychosis]], [[Tourette's syndrome]], [[epilepsy]], [[schizophrenia]] or [[dissociative identity disorder]].<ref>Henderson, J. (1981). ''Exorcism and Possession in Psychotherapy Practice''. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 27: 129–34.</ref><ref>Maniam, T. (1987). ''Exorcism and Psychiatric Illness: Two Case Reports''. Medical Journal of Malaysia. 42: 317–19.</ref><ref>Pfeifer, S. (1994). ''Belief in demons and exorcism in psychiatric patients in Switzerland''. British Journal of Medical Psychology 4 247–58.</ref><ref>[[Barry Beyerstein|Beyerstein, Barry L]]. (1995). ''Dissociative States: Possession and Exorcism''. In [[Gordon Stein]] (ed.). ''The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal''. Prometheus Books. pp. 544–52. {{ISBN|1-57392-021-5}}</ref><ref>Ross, C. A., Schroeder, B. A. & Ness, L. (2013). ''Dissociation and symptoms of culture-bound syndromes in North America: A preliminary study''. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation 14: 224–35.</ref>

Additionally, there is a form of [[monomania]] called demonomania or demonopathy in which the patient believes that they are possessed by one or more demons.<ref>[[Richard Noll|Noll, Richard]]. (2006). ''The Encyclopedia of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders''. Facts On File Inc. p. 129. {{ISBN|0-8160-6405-9}}</ref> According to psychological literature, exorcism may work on people experiencing symptoms of possession by way of [[placebo]] effect and the power of [[suggestion]].<ref>[[Brian P. Levack|Levack, Brian P]]. (1992). ''Possession and Exorcism''. Routledge. p. 5. {{ISBN|0-8153-1031-5}}</ref><ref>[[Benjamin Radford|Radford, Benjamin]]. (2005). [http://www.livescience.com/9321-voice-reason-exorcisms-fictional-fatal.html "Voice of Reason: Exorcisms, Fictional and Fatal"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218094025/http://www.livescience.com/9321-voice-reason-exorcisms-fictional-fatal.html |date=2014-12-18 }}. [[LiveScience]]. "To the extent that exorcisms "work," it is primarily due to the power of suggestion and the placebo effect."</ref> Some cases suggest that supposedly possessed persons are actually narcissists or have low self-esteem and act demonically possessed in order to gain attention.<ref>[[Brian P. Levack|Levack, Brian P]]. (1992). ''Possession and Exorcism''. Routledge. p. 277. {{ISBN|0-8153-1031-5}}</ref>

Within the scientific community, the work of psychiatrist [[M. Scott Peck]], a believer in exorcism, generated significant debate and derision. Much was made of his association with (and admiration for) the controversial [[Malachi Martin]], a [[Roman Catholic]] exorcist, despite the fact that Peck consistently called Martin a liar and a manipulator.<ref name = "Woods"/><ref>[http://www.beliefnet.com/story/159/story_15928.html The Patient Is the Exorcist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005151954/http://www.beliefnet.com/story/159/story_15928.html |date=2008-10-05 }}, an interview with M. Scott Peck by Laura Sheahen</ref> Other criticisms leveled against Peck included claims that he had transgressed the boundaries of [[professional ethics]] by attempting to persuade his patients to accept Christianity.<ref name="Woods">[http://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005b/042905/042905m.htm The devil you know] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227225812/http://www.natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005b/042905/042905m.htm |date=2016-12-27 }}, ''National Catholic Reporter'', 29 April 2005, a commentary on ''Glimpses of the Devil'' by Richard Woods</ref>

===Exorcism and mental illness===
One scholar has described [[psychosurgery]] as "Neurosurgical Exorcisms", with [[trepanation]] having been widely used to release demons from the brain.<ref name="silverman">Silverman, W A. "Neurosurgical Exorcism." Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 15.2 (2001): 98–99.</ref> Meanwhile, another scholar has equated [[psychotherapy]] with exorcism.<ref>Gettis, Alan. "Psychotherapy as exorcism." Journal of Religion and Health 15.3 (1976): 188–90.</ref>

====United Kingdom====
In the UK, the numbers of exorcisms performed were increasing {{as of|2017|lc=yes}}. A [[Church of England]] think tank, [[Theos (think tank)|Theos]], stated that the exorcisms mostly took place in charismatic and Pentecostal churches, and also among communities of West African origin. Frequently, the people exorcised were people with [[mental health]] problems, who often stopped taking their medications in response to the exorcism. The report described the exorcism as a "well-meaning initiative with the potential for serious harm" with the risk of constituting "psychological abuse".<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/05/christian-thinktank-warns-of-rise-in-exorcisms-mental-health  'Spiritual abuse': Christian thinktank warns of sharp rise in UK exorcisms] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711105036/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/05/christian-thinktank-warns-of-rise-in-exorcisms-mental-health |date=2019-07-11 }} ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref>