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Dissociative trance and spirit possession: Challenges for cultures in transition
Author(s) -
Bhavsar Vishal,
Ventriglio Antonio,
Bhugra Dinesh
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
psychiatry and clinical neurosciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.609
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1440-1819
pISSN - 1323-1316
DOI - 10.1111/pcn.12425
Subject(s) - trance , possession (linguistics) , dissociative , dissociative disorders , psychology , limiting , psychotherapist , social psychology , sociology , psychiatry , anthropology , philosophy , mechanical engineering , linguistics , engineering
The cross‐cultural validity of dissociative possession and trance disorders is a matter of some debate, limiting research and meaningful interpretation of prevalence data. Intimate to these concerns is the status of spirit possession categories studied in the social sciences, particularly anthropology. These two categories are phenomenologically related and display similar epidemiological associations. In India, dissociative and conversion disorders are fairly common in clinical settings. There is no doubt that there are true cultural variations in possession and trance disorders. A new framework may enable clinicians to better understand possession states and spirit possession.