Modern psychology does not acknowledge the existence of the demonic. There are no categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) for demon possession. Secular psychologists choose to label those manifesting symptoms of the demonic as having Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). As Mayo Clinic reports, DID is rare (under 200,000 in US per year), incurable (treatment can help but not cure), chronic (lasts a lifetime), and requires a medical diagnosis. Symptoms of DID include fragmentation into two or more distinct personality states (alters) and often memory loss. Most psychologists attribute the cause of DID to childhood abuse.
Interestingly, Psychology Today, the premier magazine of the A.P.A., describes DID in demon possessive terms, “Possession-form identities often manifest as behaviors that appear as if a spirit or other supernatural being has taken control of the person. Many possession states around the world are a normal part of a cultural or spiritual practice, these possession states become a disorder when they are unwanted, cause distress or impairment, and are not accepted as part of a cultural or religious practice.”
In 1966 psychologist Abraham Maslow said, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” If psychologists rule out the supernatural including the demonic then DID as well as all mental disorders can only be treated by naturalistic means (a hammer) such as psychotherapy. That is not how Jesus Christ viewed the demonized. He understood that demons were real, evil, and indwelt people. He also understood that unless they were commanded to leave by the power and authority of one greater than themselves, they would take up residence in the person (host) for a lifetime!
It is interesting that in the most complete description of one who was demonized, the Gadarene Demoniac, Jesus commanded it to come out of the man saying, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit” (Mark 5:1-20)! Upon release from the grip of the demon, the man is described as “sitting down” (formerly constantly in motion cutting himself, pacing in the tombs, screaming), “clothed” (formerly naked), and “in his right mind” (formerly isolated and treated as insane).
What is interesting in this real account of demonization is that it looked like mental illness. Once released from the control of the demons within, the man’s mental sanity returned. What am I saying? I’m saying that many, even most, of those diagnosed as DID are demonized. Think about it. There is nothing which indicates that demons no longer exist. There is nothing that indicates that the authority of Jesus Christ now given to believers is any less powerful to command demons to release their prey (Matthew 28:18-20). The only thing stopping believers from freeing those classified as DID is unbelief. We need faith to . .
Set captives free by the power of Jesus Christ,
Irv