From Psypost.org:
What happens when cultural beliefs intersect with psychiatric conditions? A case study from Cureus sheds light on a rare disorder known as trance and possession disorder, experienced by a 55-year-old woman in rural India. Her episodes of altered consciousness, perceived as possession, were ultimately linked to an underlying mood disorder known as dysthymia. The report, authored by psychiatrists from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in India, sheds light on the complexity of diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions influenced by cultural factors.
Trance and possession disorder is a rare psychiatric phenomenon characterized by altered states of consciousness. In a trance state, individuals experience a temporary shift in awareness, often accompanied by behaviors or speech they cannot control. Possession states, however, are marked by the replacement of the individual’s sense of self with another identity, which might be perceived as a deity, a spirit, or even an animal. These episodes are deeply influenced by cultural and social factors, often manifesting in ways that reflect local beliefs and practices.