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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Different Behavior While Going To Temple?

My mother whenever she goes to temple or puja or heard mantras, she behaves differently. As someone came and says something as shown in films..god comes into people and they speak. May i know how severity is this problem ? I believe it is some mental disorder. Can anyone clarify ?
Fri, 25 Jul 2014
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hi,

I went through your query and from what you have mentioned, it seems your mother is suffering from a disorder termed as dissociative trance and possession disorder. It is a condition in which a person's behavior suddenly changes and acts as if he or she is being possessed by a god or even a devil and they speak in slightly different tone as if the god or devil was speaking. It usually happens due to some underlying unconscious conflict which goes on in a person's head and remains persistent due to the attention being received from others due to the episodes, which acts as maintaining factor. Most people in our cultural setting believe it to occur due to religious factors and hence, don't seek proper treatment.

I would recommend that you seek psychiatric consultation for initiating treatment. Medications including anti-depressants might help. More importantly, it will be important to understand the underlying conflict. As family members, you can help her by reducing the attention given to her during the episodes. The praying and offering things by others must stop during the episodes.

I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Best wishes.



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What Causes Different Behavior While Going To Temple?

Hi, I went through your query and from what you have mentioned, it seems your mother is suffering from a disorder termed as dissociative trance and possession disorder. It is a condition in which a person s behavior suddenly changes and acts as if he or she is being possessed by a god or even a devil and they speak in slightly different tone as if the god or devil was speaking. It usually happens due to some underlying unconscious conflict which goes on in a person s head and remains persistent due to the attention being received from others due to the episodes, which acts as maintaining factor. Most people in our cultural setting believe it to occur due to religious factors and hence, don t seek proper treatment. I would recommend that you seek psychiatric consultation for initiating treatment. Medications including anti-depressants might help. More importantly, it will be important to understand the underlying conflict. As family members, you can help her by reducing the attention given to her during the episodes. The praying and offering things by others must stop during the episodes. I do hope that I was able to answer your query. Best wishes.