Demonic possession is an accepted possibility in many of the world’s societies and religions. The belief that a demon can enter and inhabit a person’s body, temporarily taking control of his or her actions exists in Christianity, in Judaism, in Islam, in Hinduism and in many other cultures. In past centuries, many people that we now know are mentally or physically ill would have been diagnosed as suffering a demonic possession. Some of the explanations that have been offered to account for stories of demonic possession include schizophrenia, Tourette’s Syndrome and epilepsy.

There are, however, many who believe that demonic possession is a reality – a rare reality, but still a reality. One expert in demonology and demonic possession offers the following symptoms and signs of demonic possession – along with the warning that demonic possession is rare, and that all other possible explanations should be ruled out first. Of the three types of signs, the most difficult to explain are those that happen outside the person – changes and effects on the environment.

Behavioral Indicators of Demonic Possession:

Every single one of these symptoms may also be a symptom of mental illness, drug or alcohol use, or teenage rebellion. Don’t automatically think first of demonic possession. As the old saying goes, when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.

 1. Personality changes

2. Changes in sleep patterns

3. Sudden weight loss or gain

4. Unusual hostility

5. Excessive use of cursing that is out of character

6. Sudden aversion to religious objects

7. Self mutilation

8. Occult materials

9. Destructiveness and violence that is out of character

10. Performing humiliating acts

 Physical signs:

1. may appear catatonic

2. speaks a language they could not know

3. speaks in tongues

4. fixed stare without blinking

5. complete bodily rigidity

6. eye or hair color may change

7. may possess inhuman strength

8. may exhibit precognition, retrocognition or know things   about people they have never met

9. welts, scratches and bruises may appear on the body

10. may speak in multiple voices

Environmental Signs of Demonic Possession: 
     
1. Objects may move around, disappear, or appear from nowhere

2. Knocking, banging or pounding may be heard throughout the house

3. Religious articles may disappear, destroy or be desecrated

4. Scratching sounds with no source

5. Foul odors with no apparent source

6. Odd lights may appear and shoot around the room

7. Heavy furniture may move around the room on its own.

8. Electrical appliances may turn on or off.

9. Fires may start spontaneously.

10. Doors and drawers may open on their own.