Exorcism-resistant Ghost Possession Treated with Clopenthixol

Abstract

BACKGROUND: An Indian man now in Britain explained his criminal behaviour as episodic ghost possession. Traditional exorcisms failed to help. METHOD: A 'Western' diagnosis of dissociative state or paranoid schizophrenia was made. Treatment commenced using trifluoperazine and clopenthixol. RESULTS: The patient underwent remission during neuroleptic treatment, despite previous evidence of genuine possession. CONCLUSIONS: Many cultures give rise to apparently genuine cases of ghost possession. Neuroleptics may relieve symptoms of exorcism-resistant possession.