Avahana Syndrome
Telangana journal of IMA. January 1, 2024 P. Kishan, Sai Krishna Puli, M. Vishnu Vardhan et al.
Possession states, where a person appears invaded by a new personality, are common in the Indian subcontinent, especially among Hindu women with little education. These culturally sanctioned syndromes allow powerless individuals to express unacceptable opinions and gain social status or livelihood as healers. The authors propose the term "Indian Avahana Syndrome" for possession linked to the devotional practice of avahanam, which involves invoking a deity through mantras and body rituals (nyasa). They note that such possession is more prevalent in India than in the West, while multiple personality disorder is rare. The paper argues that cultural beliefs in possession and the social benefits it confers explain its higher prevalence in this region.