Epileptic seizures and spirit possession in Haitian culture: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Summary

Epileptic seizures in Haiti are often misattributed to Voodoo spirit possession due to cultural beliefs. In four Haitian patients whose seizures were initially thought to be spirit possession, the seizures involved experiential phenomena such as epigastric aura, fear, depersonalization, and derealization, followed by loss of consciousness. Electroclinical tests showed a temporal lobe focus in each case. The article reviews how such traditional belief systems can delay proper diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, highlighting the harmful impact of these misconceptions in developing countries.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Epileptic seizures have historically been associated with religious beliefs in spirit possession. These attitudes and misconceptions about epilepsy still flourish in developing countries as byproducts of specific sociocultural environments. This article presents a case series of four Haitian patients with epilepsy whose seizures were initially attributed to Voodoo spirit possession. All patients reported ictal experiential phenomena (epigastric aura, ictal fear, depersonalization, and derealization symptoms) followed by complete loss of consciousness. Electroclinical investigations revealed a temporal lobe focus. We review the existing literature on attitudes toward seizures within the Haitian culture and discuss the link between religion and epilepsy, highlighting the possible detrimental influence of specific traditional belief systems on the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy.