Schizophrenia or Possession? A Rejoinder to Irmak

Abstract

In this rejoinder, I comment on Irmak’s 2014 article titled “Schizophrenia or Possession?” published in the Journal of Religion and Health (Irmak, 2014; JORH 53(3):773–777. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-012-9673-y). After providing a brief overview of the article and two commentaries on it, I examine the role that demonic possession may or may not play in the development and course of schizophrenia. While keeping an open mind to the possibility of evil influences on the course of illness in those with or without psychosis, I emphasize that schizophrenia is a neurobiological illness that requires compassionate care and expert psychobiological treatment.