title: Demonic possession and the historical construction of melancholy and hysteria.
abstract: Contrary to the often-voiced opinion that the birth of modern psychiatry should be regarded as a victory of enlightened science and rationality over outdated religious beliefs and ecclesiastical authority, it is argued in this article that the emergence of medical and psychiatric approaches to pathology in modernity takes place in the context of intensified religious life and mutual rivalry between the various religious denominations. Notably the two main types of demonological possession appearing in the context of Protestant and Catholic religious life, theological reflections and pastoral practices play a major role in the conceptualizations of melancholy and hysteria. The heritage of this can be viewed in the works of psychiatrists such as Charcot and Kraepelin, and also in Freud's psychoanalysis.
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands h.westerink@ftr.ru.nl.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Westerink
mesh_terms: D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000266:history*; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000266:history*; D009462:Neurology / Q000266:history; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D000067496:Spirit Possession / Q000266:history*
keywords: Demonical possession; hysteria; melancholy; modernity; religion