Background. An Indian man now in Britain explained his criminal behavi
our as episodic ghost possession. Traditional exorcisms failed to help
. Method. A 'Western' diagnosis of dissociative state or paranoid schi
zophrenia was made. Treatment commenced using trifluoperazine and clop
enthixol. Results. The patient underwent remission during neuroleptic
treatment, despite previous evidence of genuine possession. Conclusion
s. Many cultures give rise to apparently genuine cases of ghost posses
sion. Neuroleptics may relieve symptoms of exorcism-resistant possessi
on.