Exorcism : The Science behind Exorcism

Exorcism Behind the Scenes: Reality vs. Fiction

Exorcism : The Science behind Exorcism? “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” a hit movie, came out in 2005. This horror film stood out because it was “based on a true story,” specifically the story of Anneliese Michel.

1952 saw the birth of Anneliese Michel in West Germany. At 16, she fainted at school and entered a strange, trance-like state for a few minutes. That night, she woke up feeling a heavy weight on her body and found she had wet the bed. For the next year, nothing unusual happened.

Similar fainting incident occurred

Then, a similar fainting incident occurred, prompting her parents to take her to a doctor. Despite visits to both a general doctor and a neurologist, no issues were found.

In February 1970, Anneliese was hospitalized with tuberculosis. While in the hospital, she started seeing strange colors and hearing voices. Doctors diagnosed her with temporal lobe epilepsy, a condition causing seizures.

Though common, Anneliese’s case was unique as she began experiencing severe hallucinations and heard voices that no one else could hear, driving her into depression.

Anneliese started praying obsessively

Anneliese started praying obsessively, damaging her knee ligaments by kneeling 600 times a day. Her behavior grew more erratic: hiding under tables, barking like a dog, and eating insects, coal, and birds. Her parents, unable to find help from doctors, turned to a bishop for an exorcism, believing six demons, including Adolf Hitler and Lucifer, possessed her.

The real audio of her exorcisms is still available online. Anneliese’s story is one of the most famous exorcism cases, but it is not unique. There are other mysterious cases, like an American man named Michael Boatwright, who woke up in a hotel speaking Swedish and believed his name was Johan Ek.

Mysteries requires a scientific approach

Understanding these mysteries requires a scientific approach. What people often call “demonic possession” is actually a mental condition known as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously called Multiple Personality Disorder. DID involves a person having multiple distinct personalities or identities. These identities can have different names, ages, and even genders.

DID is linked to severe trauma, usually in childhood. The brain creates multiple personalities as a coping mechanism to handle the trauma. People with DID often have memory gaps and lose track of time when different personalities take over.

In the case of Kim Noble, who has over 100 personalities, each has a different name, age, and behavior. Hollywood has portrayed DID in movies like “Split” and “Fight Club,” but these portrayals can be inaccurate and sensationalized. In reality, DID patients are rarely violent. Films like “Karthik Calling Karthik” depict the disorder more sensitively.

Anneliese Michel’s death resulted

Anneliese Michel’s death resulted from starvation and dehydration, not demonic possession. She was under psychiatric care and suffered from several mental illnesses, including epilepsy and a hyper-religious personality disorder. Her extremely religious upbringing contributed to her beliefs about being possessed.

Her parents and the priests who performed the exorcisms were convicted of negligent homicide. Her case highlights the importance of understanding and treating mental illnesses scientifically and without stigma. Dissociation, ranging from mild to severe cases like DID, often stems from childhood trauma. Understanding and addressing these traumas through therapy can help manage and reintegrate fragmented identities.

Films and media should portray mental illnesses with sensitivity to reduce stigma and promote understanding. If someone experiences severe stress, anxiety, depression, or irritability, seeking help from a therapist is essential for their well-being.

Conclusion

In 2005, the Hollywood film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” was released, claiming to be based on a true story. This film was inspired by the life of Anneliese Michel, a girl born in 1952 in West Germany.

At age 16, she began experiencing strange symptoms, including fainting spells, seizures, and disturbing hallucinations. Despite medical treatment for epilepsy and other diagnoses, her condition worsened, leading her parents to seek help from the church.

Anneliese underwent 67 exorcisms, believing she was possessed by multiple demons, but tragically died from malnutrition and dehydration. Her case became a national scandal, and her parents and the priests involved were convicted of negligent homicide.

This story highlights the complexity of mental health issues and the dangers of extreme religious beliefs and practices.

FAQs on the Real Story Behind “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”

1. Who was Anneliese Michel?

Anneliese Michel was a young girl from West Germany who experienced severe mental and physical health issues, leading her family and local priests to believe she was possessed by demons. “Her story served as the inspiration for the movie “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.”

2. What symptoms did Anneliese Michel exhibit?

Anneliese experienced fainting spells, seizures, hallucinations, and other disturbing symptoms. Despite medical treatment for epilepsy and other diagnoses, her condition did not improve and even worsened over time.

3. Why did Anneliese Michel undergo exorcisms?

Her parents and local priests believed her symptoms were caused by demonic possession. Over the course of ten months, Anneliese underwent 67 exorcism sessions in an attempt to rid her of these supposed demons.

4. What happened to Anneliese Michel?

Tragically, Anneliese Michel died on July 1, 1976, at the age of 23, from malnutrition and dehydration following the extensive exorcism sessions.

5. What were the legal repercussions following Anneliese’s death?

The priests involved and her parents were accused of negligent murder. During the trial, the court found them guilty but gave them relatively light sentences, considering they believed they were helping Anneliese.

6. How did the film “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” differ from the true story?

While inspired by Anneliese Michel’s case, the film took creative liberties, dramatizing events and combining elements of horror with legal drama. It explores themes of faith, science, and the supernatural.

7. What lessons can be drawn from Anneliese Michel’s story?

Anneliese’s story underscores the importance of understanding mental health issues and the potential dangers of extreme religious practices. It also highlights the need for medical and spiritual communities to collaborate in addressing complex cases.