Hello, friends!
In 2005 a popular Hollywood film was released,
The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Although there are many horror films in Hollywood,
there was something special about this film.
Look at the poster of this film,
what’s written?
“Based on a true story,”
it was based on a true incident.
It was based on the story of Anneliese Michel.
One of the most famous exorcism incidents in the history of the world.
Anneliese Michel was a girl born in 1952 in West Germany.
When she was 16 years old,
she suddenly fainted in school.
Her friends report that when she fainted,
for a minute or two, she was in a strange trance-like state.
When she returned home that evening
she went to sleep in her room,
Sometime during the night, she woke up suddenly.
She said that she felt as if there was a heavy weight on her body.
When she looked around,
she realised that she had wet the bed.
But for the next few weeks and months, nothing happened.
Until a year later.
Once again, a similar incident happened.
And this time, Anneliese’s parents felt that
she should be taken to a doctor.
The Sun newspaper reported that
when the parents went to the doctor,
neither the doctor nor the neurologist
found anything wrong with Anneliese.
But then, about a year later,
in February 1970,
Anneliese got tuberculosis
because of which she had to be admitted to the hospital.
This time, when she was lying on the hospital bed,
Anneliese said that
she saw strange colours
and heard voices.
The doctor said that she has temporal lobe epilepsy
due to which she was having seizures.
Now, it is not a rare disease.
More than 50 million people in the world suffer from it.
But Anneliese’s case was quite unique.
A few days later, Anneliese started having dangerous hallucinations.
She started seeing things that no one else could see.
She heard voices that no one else could hear.
She had some voices in her head that kept telling her
that she was cursed.
Because of this, she went into a depression.
But this was just the beginning.
Catholic Christians often kneel while doing a type of prayer.
The Telegraph newspaper reported that
Anneliese started doing this about 600 times a day.
To the extent that her knee ligaments were damaged.
Then once she went under a table and hid.
And for two consecutive days, she started barking like a dog.
One day she ate a spider,
another day she ate a piece of coal
and once she ate a bird.
Her parents were not able to understand what was happening.
When they could not get any answer from the doctors,
they went to a bishop
and asked him to do an exorcism for Anneliese.
‘Exorcism’ means to take out an evil spirit from someone’s body
by religious procedures.
In India, it is called ‘Jhad Phuk.’
It was said that 6 demons were residing in Anneliese’s body.
German dictator Adolf Hitler,
Roman Emperor Nero,
Judas, a disciple of Jesus,
who had deceived Jesus.
Fourth, Cain, son of Adam,
who had killed his brother Abel.
Fifth, Lucifer,
the main demon in Christian theology.
And the sixth, Valentin Fleischmann,
a German Catholic priest who lived in the 1500s
who was expelled from the church
due to his alcoholism and a murder charge.
As the exorcism on Anneliese Michel progressed,
it’s said that the demons residing within her, started talking.
The real audio clip of this exorcism,
is still available online.
Anneliese Michel’s case is one of the most bizarre cases in the history of the world.
But this is not the only one.
10 years ago, an American man
was found unconscious in his hotel room.
When he was taken to the hospital and he regained consciousness,
he started speaking Swedish.
When his ID card and other documents were checked
his name was found to be Michael Boatwright.
But when he was asked his name,
he said that his name was Johan Ek.
How did an American man start speaking Swedish after becoming unconscious?
How did Anneliese Michel start making these demonic sounds?
Did a demonic soul really enter these bodies?
The Story of Anneliese Michel
In 1976, a young German woman named Anneliese Michel died after undergoing a series of exorcisms. Her story was later adapted into the Hollywood film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” But what really happened to Anneliese? Was she possessed by demons, or was there a more rational explanation?
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
DID, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personalities within an individual. These personalities, also known as alters, may be accompanied by different thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
The Science Behind DID
Research suggests that DID is often a coping mechanism for individuals who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect in their childhood. The brain’s natural response to trauma is to dissociate, or disconnect, from the traumatic event. In severe cases, this dissociation can lead to the development of multiple personalities.
The Case of Kim Noble
Kim Noble, a British artist, is a well-known example of someone living with DID. She has over 100 alters, each with its own distinct personality, age, and even gender. Kim’s story highlights the complexities of DID and the challenges of living with multiple personalities.
The Role of Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is an effective treatment for DID. Therapists work with patients to identify triggers, develop coping mechanisms, and integrate their alters into a single, cohesive identity.
Debunking the Myth of Demonic Possession
So, what about demonic possession? Is it real? The answer is no. DID is a recognized mental health condition, not a supernatural phenomenon. The idea of demonic possession is often perpetuated by misinformation, superstition, and sensationalized media.
Conclusion
Dissociative identity disorder is a complex and fascinating condition that requires understanding, empathy, and support. By shedding light on the science behind DID, we can work to reduce stigma and promote awareness about mental health. Remember, mental health matters, and seeking help is always the first step towards recovery.