The body as a battlefield: stories from the front line of spiritual health.

To the Editor: The following case discussions were informally presented at the Southern Medical Association's Spirituality/Medicine Interface Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 16, 2006.

Twice in the last six months, I have been called to the NICU to see a patient who was "seeing the devil." In the first instance, the patient's daughter requested a hospital chaplain due to her mother's new and unusual behavior. When I responded, I introduced myself to both the patient and her family. The patient immediately responded, "I don't trust women chaplains." Due to her attitude, I was unable to minister to her and help her emotionally. The medical team decided to sedate the patient until the effect of the medication wore off. I spent time supporting the patient's family, especially her daughter, who was very distraught, stating that "this is not my mother." After the medication was withdrawn, the patient returned to her normal behavior, and did not have any more paranormal experiences.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Two weeks later, I was again called to the NICU by a patient who was seeing demons. The patient, a Christian woman who was very anxious and stressed, asked that I stay with her and not leave. I immediately reassured her that I was there for her, and was not going anywhere. I asked her if she believed that the Jesus within her was greater than any 'demon.' She replied affirmatively. I told her that her hallucinations were most likely due to medication, but offered prayer as a way of harnessing her spirituality to help control her anxiety. She agreed to pray. I told her I had brought Holy Water, and asked her permission to bless the room, which she gave. Normally I do not carry Holy Water, and just offer either emotional support, prayer, or both, to the patient and their family. As this patient was experiencing the paranormal, I felt she might benefit from an outward sign symbolizing the sacred nature of her relationship with God. I blessed the room by asking Jesus to fill the room with His angels and surround the patient with His light, His love, and His peace. Next I asked the patient's permission to bless her. She grimaced, tensed, and showed fear. Finally, she agreed. I blessed her with the Holy Water "In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," renewing her Baptismal vows. As I finished, she exhaled a deep breath and visibly relaxed. The patient's anxiety was gone. She was relaxed, and felt safe. After sharing with me her personal feelings about what her faith meant to her, she felt peaceful enough to let me leave. Later that day when I returned to check on her, I found her laughing and enjoying her family. There were no more demonic hallucinations. My intervention with this patient had a positive outcome. Her trust allowed me to tap into her spirituality, helping her to relax. This alleviated the adverse effects of stress, unusual medication, and an unfamiliar environment.

As a chaplain, I embrace the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Demonic hallucinations can also be symptomatic of a psychological disorder. When a patient experiences the paranormal upon admission to the hospital, experience has taught me that medication or unusual anxiety is often responsible. When the patient embraces their spirituality, their anxiety is alleviated, allowing the patient to better handle the stressors of the hospital environment, which in turn helps them heal. Spiritual intervention works in perfect harmony with traditional medical practice.

Chaplain Meredith M. Young, MTS 

Pastoral Care Department

Providence Hospital

Mobile, AL