Dissociative trance and spirit possession: Challenges for cultures in transition.
Vishal Bhavsar, Antonio Ventriglio, Dinesh Bhugra
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences September 18, 2016 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.12425 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 49 |
| Key findings | Dissociative possession and trance disorders are phenomenologically related and display similar epidemiological associations, but their cross-cultural validity is debated. |
Abstract
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.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- From distress to disease: a critique of the medicalisation of possession in DSM-5. Anthropology & medicine December 1, 2017
- The neurobiology of altered states of consciousness induced by drumming and other rhythmic sound patterns. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences July 16, 2025
- A scoping review of studies on dissociative and conversion disorders in India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry June 1, 2025
- The Prevalence of Dissociative Disorders and Spirit Possession in the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With the Moderating Effect of Individualism–Collectivism on Prevalence Rates Clinical Psychological Science September 15, 2025
- Social Stigmatization and Late Treatment of Dissociative Disorder: A Case Report on Trance and Possession Disorder. Cureus December 1, 2023
and 8 more in the library
Cites 11
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- A Critical Review of Dissociative Trance and Possession Disorders: Etiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Nosological Issues The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry April 1, 2011
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- The epidemiology of spirit possession in the aftermath of mass political violence in Mozambique. Social Science & Medicine August 1, 2010
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and 6 more in the library