There has been a long-standing connection between witchcraft and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. Throughout history, individuals who were deemed to be engaging in witchcraft practices were often also considered to be suffering from mental disorders. This association can be traced back to the witch trials that took place during the Middle Ages, particularly in Europe and colonial America. During these trials, individuals were accused of practicing witchcraft and would often be subjected to intense interrogations, torture, and even execution. Many of those accused were women, widows, or individuals who did not fit into societal norms. These individuals were believed to have made pacts with the devil, possessed supernatural powers, and caused harm to others through rituals and spells.
Our family has also had many cases of schizophrenia. Including me. I did not willingly make a pact with satan. The curse fell on me ignorantly. I realized what happened after years of medication, hospitalization due to suicidal attempts and severe psychosis, coupled with confusion and failure in everything I did; never getting any better, only worse. My life dramatically changed afterward though.
Each of the witches in my family have made a pact with satan that their daughters would serve him and devote their lives to practicing evil and curses. After dropping out of school at an early age, he left to try his luck in Ivory Coast, where he began working as a tire repairman while starting a small cab company.
These individuals were believed to have made pacts with the devil, possessed supernatural powers, and caused harm to others through rituals and spells. In the midst of these witchcraft accusations, it became apparent to those in power that those accused often displayed behaviors that were considered abnormal or strange. They would exhibit what were perceived as symptoms of mental disorders, including hallucinations, delusions, erratic behavior, and irrational thoughts.
He battles witchcraft and voodoo to help break the chains of mental illness
For over 30 years, Grégoire Ahongbonon has traveled throughout West Africa to help people suffering from mental illnesses.
With a generous smile, a serene face and a peaceful gait, Grégoire Ahongbonon looks at his surroundings with a gentle and curious gaze. He has learned to slow down and to strive to see beyond simple appearances. Over the past 30 years, Ahongbonon has traveled throughout West Africa to help people suffering from mental disorders and illnesses.
The 70-year-old man from Benin could go unnoticed with his utility vest and his rectangular glasses — however he is one of those people who work, day after day, to build a better, more just and more fraternal world — “to build the Kingdom of God here and now,” he explains with all the humility that characterizes him.
When you look into his eyes, you can almost see the faces of the 2,000 people — the “forgotten of the forgotten” — whom he has helped, along with his Saint-Camille-de-Lellis Association, founded in 1991 to welcome people with mental disorders. The association has centers in Benin, Ivory Coast, Burkina and Togo.
We might see the face of Janvier, a young man who spent seven years in chains, bound up by his parents before being freed by Ahongbonon and members of the association.
We might also see the face of another young man he discovered the day before Palm Sunday, in 1994. A woman had gone to look for Ahongbonon, having heard that he was taking care of the mentally ill, so that he could help her brother. But when he entered the house, he discovered a man chained at the arms and legs on wet ground in a dimly lit room. When he recalls this memory, Ahongbonon’s eyes become cloudy—without hatred but with deep sadness. “His flesh was crawling with maggots,” he recalls. Released and then treated, he died a few days later. “But he died with dignity, standing up and not in chains,” he says.
Janvier’s chains. EL I AleteiaAhongbonon has no shortage of stories like these: the Saint-Camille-de-Lellis Association now has 21 welcoming and rehabilitation centers and provides free medication to more than 20,000 mentally ill people every month. Many lives have been saved by Ahongbonon’s action, self-sacrifice, and inexhaustible energy.
“They have helped a lot,” he says, not wanting to take credit for anything. “At St. Camille’s, we want to put them back on their feet to help bring about the construction of a better world,” he says. “We heal them and reintegrate them. I’ve seen nurses who have suffered from bipolar disorder come to the aid of patients in turn … It’s amazing.”
With St. Camillus’ Association, Ahongbonon’s fight goes far beyond providing medical help to people with mental illnesses and disorders. He also fights against voodoo, animism, and witchcraft, which wreak havoc in many African societies. Considered bewitched or enchanted, the mentally ill are generally isolated and tied up so that they don’t “contaminate” others and so they will “purify” themselves. “Ignorance is taking its toll in West Africa,” Ahongbonon denounces.
Energetic and active, Ahongbonon has also experienced deep psychological distress, even to the point of having suicidal thoughts. After dropping out of school at an early age, he left to try his luck in Ivory Coast, where he began working as a tire repairman while starting a small cab company. But at a point when his business was thriving, Gregoire, then 26 years old, had to face its sudden collapse, as all his cabs were temporarily seized. Riddled with debt, he lost his friends and found himself more isolated than ever.
But as he was considering suicide, he suddenly had an awakening driven by his faith. From then on, he would work with the most destitute.
“Each time the Lord appears in a way that enlightens us, he dazzles us in a new way and makes us see new paths,” he says. “It wasn’t easy at first to go to prison, to meet all those people who had committed offenses, crimes. But if you want to live the Gospel, you don’t choose what you want. There’s someone deep inside you who reveals what he wants. Prison has become my Galilee.”
Ahongbonon says the mentally ill are the last of all the last. “They exist as people who no longer exist. They are beaten, have stones thrown at them, they are insulted,” he says. “They are given no place in society.”
These symptoms, we now know, are commonly associated with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects a person's perception of reality, thinking patterns, emotions, and behavior. It is characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and impaired social functioning. While the causes of schizophrenia are still not fully understood, it is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and chemical factors. The connection between witchcraft and schizophrenia can be seen in the way those accused of witchcraft were treated. They were often believed to be possessed by demonic entities or influenced by supernatural forces. These beliefs were fueled by societal fears and the lack of understanding of mental illness at the time. Individuals with mental disorders were seen as a threat to the stability of the community and were therefore persecuted and ostracized. Today, we have a better understanding of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia. Thanks to advancements in medical science and research, we know that schizophrenia is a neurobiological disorder that requires proper treatment and support. It is not caused by witchcraft or supernatural forces. However, the association between witchcraft and mental illness still persists in some societies. Some individuals may still attribute unusual behaviors or beliefs to supernatural causes rather than recognizing them as symptoms of mental disorders. This can lead to stigmatization, discrimination, and a lack of proper treatment for those who need it. In conclusion, the relationship between witchcraft and schizophrenia is rooted in historical beliefs and misconceptions. The association between the two has primarily arisen from the persecution of individuals accused of witchcraft during the witch trials. While this link may have been fueled by the strange behaviors exhibited by those accused, we now understand that mental illnesses such as schizophrenia are not supernatural in nature. It is essential to challenge and debunk these outdated beliefs to ensure that individuals with mental illnesses receive the support and treatment they need..
Reviews for "Understanding the cognitive processes underlying witchcraft beliefs in individuals with schizophrenia"
1. John Smith - 1 star
I found this article to be poorly researched and full of unsubstantiated claims. The author presents a weak argument, relying on anecdotal evidence rather than scientific studies. Furthermore, the article seems to perpetuate harmful stereotypes about both witchcraft and schizophrenia. It is a disservice to both communities and undermines the progress we have made in understanding and destigmatizing mental health conditions. I would not recommend reading this article if you are looking for accurate information on either topic.
2. Emily Johnson - 2 stars
While the premise of this article intrigued me, I was disappointed with the execution. The author fails to provide a thorough analysis of the relationship between witchcraft and schizophrenia. The arguments presented are vague and lack the necessary supporting evidence. Additionally, the author seems to conflate witchcraft with mental illness, which is not only misleading but also offensive to those practicing witchcraft. As someone looking for an informed and nuanced discussion, I feel let down by this article's lack of depth and care.
3. David Thompson - 1 star
I strongly disagree with the central thesis of this article. The author attempts to draw parallels between witchcraft and schizophrenia, but fails to provide substantial evidence to support this claim. Their argument is based on overly simplistic and reductionist reasoning, overlooking the complex and diverse nature of both witchcraft and mental illness. In my opinion, this article does a disservice to both fields of study and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. I would caution readers against taking its claims seriously without further research and critical analysis.