Psychiatrists detail strange case of woman haunted by mysterious “possessions” for seven years

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.

During these episodes, individuals may exhibit behaviors such as speaking in unfamiliar voices, making uncharacteristic gestures, or appearing unresponsive to their surroundings. Despite the dramatic presentation, these episodes are typically transient and may be triggered by emotional stress, unresolved conflicts, or social and environmental pressures. The condition is recognized under different names in psychiatric classifications, emphasizing the importance of cultural context in its diagnosis and interpretation.

Dysthymia, now often referred to as persistent depressive disorder, is a chronic form of depression characterized by a persistently low mood. Unlike major depression, its symptoms are less severe but last much longer, often for years. People with dysthymia might experience fatigue, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness. Though these symptoms are less acute, their prolonged nature can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life.

Dysthymia often coexists with other mental health conditions, exacerbating their symptoms. In the case study, the patient’s dysthymia likely heightened her vulnerability to the trance and possession episodes, creating a feedback loop where each condition influenced the other.

The patient in this case was a 55-year-old woman from Maharashtra, India. A homemaker from a lower socioeconomic background, she was brought to the psychiatric clinic by her daughter due to ongoing symptoms of low mood, headaches, social withdrawal, and difficulty managing daily tasks. These symptoms were compounded by episodes during which the patient would speak in a different voice, act out of character, and exhibit behaviors consistent with possession. These episodes, lasting up to two hours, had been occurring for seven years.

Her family initially sought the help of faith healers, a common response in many rural and traditional communities, which delayed medical intervention. When she finally presented at the clinic, a comprehensive medical evaluation was conducted. Blood tests, neurological examinations, and imaging studies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), ruled out underlying physical conditions such as brain tumors or seizure disorders. The patient’s longstanding history of depressive symptoms, dating back to adolescence, provided further insight into the underlying causes of her condition.

Treatment combined medication and psychotherapy. The patient was prescribed escitalopram, an antidepressant aimed at alleviating her dysthymic symptoms. Weekly psychotherapy sessions addressed her emotional struggles and the link between her mood disorder and trance episodes. Over several months, her depressive symptoms improved, and the trance episodes became less frequent and intense. This outcome highlighted the value of treating both conditions holistically rather than focusing on them in isolation.

“If our patient’s prior psychiatric diagnosis of dysthymia had been recognized and treated appropriately, the trance episodes may not have occurred in the first place. Diagnosing TPD [trance and possession disorder] poses several challenges and limitations due to the complex interplay of cultural, spiritual, psychiatric, and socioeconomic factors. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to enhance the patient’s general functioning and quality of life,” the study authors concluded.

While case studies offer valuable insights into rare and complex conditions, they have inherent limitations. They focus on individual experiences, which may not be representative of broader populations. The findings cannot be generalized to all individuals with trance and possession disorder or dysthymia, and cultural factors unique to the patient’s background may limit the applicability of the observations to other settings.

Despite these limitations, case studies remain indispensable in advancing medical knowledge. They often shed light on unusual presentations of conditions and guide clinicians in understanding how different factors—biological, psychological, and social—interact in a single patient. In this case, the detailed narrative helps bridge the gap between clinical practice and cultural sensitivity, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches in mental health care.

The study, “Trance and Possession Disorder With Underlying Dysthymia: A Case Report,” was authored by Yatika Chadha, Ragini Patil, Saket Toshniwal, and Nayan Sinha.