The classification and understanding of mental health conditions are continually evolving as researchers and clinicians gain more insights into the complexities of the human mind. In the past, certain experiences that were not easily explainable or understood were often attributed to supernatural or spiritual causes, such as possession. However, in modern psychiatry, the focus is on understanding these experiences through a psychological and medical lens rather than ascribing them to supernatural origins.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the primary diagnostic tool used by mental health professionals to categorize and diagnose mental health conditions. The DSM has undergone several revisions, with each edition refining and updating the diagnostic criteria based on new research and clinical knowledge.
"Dissociative Disorders Not Otherwise Specified" (DDNOS) used to be a category in earlier editions of the DSM. However, it's important to note that the DSM-5, which was published in 2013, replaced DDNOS with the "Other Specified Dissociative Disorder" (OSDD) and "Unspecified Dissociative Disorder" categories.
The reason some experiences like possession were, at times, placed under DDNOS or similar categories is that they might share some characteristics with dissociation. Dissociation itself is a broad concept that includes various experiences involving a disconnection from oneself, reality, or memories. These can range from mild dissociative experiences that many people have occasionally (like daydreaming) to more severe forms seen in dissociative disorders.
However, it is essential to understand that the inclusion of certain experiences in these categories does not imply that psychiatry endorses supernatural explanations. Instead, it reflects an acknowledgment that some experiences may have elements of dissociation or may be challenging to categorize within existing diagnostic criteria.
Mental health professionals are generally trained to approach these experiences from a psychological and evidence-based perspective. They aim to assess the underlying psychological and emotional factors contributing to a person's distress, rather than attributing it to possession or other supernatural causes.
It's worth noting that in cultures where belief in possession or spiritual entities is more prevalent, mental health professionals may need to be culturally sensitive and take these beliefs into account while providing care. Regardless of cultural context, the primary goal is to provide appropriate and evidence-based mental health support to the individual seeking help.