[NOTICE] Pastoral Care #5 | Psychosocial Recovery from Auditory Hallucinations

<Case Note>

Client information is anonymized.

A strange voice says, “Die...”

The client has been experiencing auditory hallucinations, a type of hallucination. Under DSM-5 diagnostic criteria in psychiatry, this would be classified as a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or simply schizophrenia.

There are various forms of hallucinations: visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and tactile. Visual and auditory hallucinations are most common, and among these, many people suffer more severely from auditory hallucinations.

Hallucinations are often accompanied by delusions—thought disorders, paranoid delusions, grandiose delusions, delusions of reference, delusions of love, etc. Psychiatrists, asserting that hallucinations and thought disorders are serious problems, prescribe highly toxic sedatives (also called neuroleptics or antipsychotics), which can render people helpless, lethargic, and chemically dependent—essentially making them “disabled.” This is a serious criminal act backed by pseudoscience.

From a spiritual perspective, those who experience these problems are “undergoing a special hardship, trial, or refining process within the will of the Lord.” Opposing the Lord’s rule by destroying the life of someone who could potentially earn millions later in life—and then branding them as “mentally ill,” robbing them of their rights, forcing them into social isolation, saddling their families with despair, hindering them from marriage, and often leading to shortened lifespans or sudden death—ultimately weakens the national population, productivity, and defense of the country. The concern is that this could even lead to national downfall under foreign threat.

However, if a person’s thought disorders or delusions do not cause harm to others, then even intense distress-inducing thought disturbances are not necessarily a significant problem in and of themselves. When those delusions escalate to behaviors that harm others, we should address them not as a “mental illness” requiring nerve-paralyzing chemicals, but as moral or legal issues—i.e., crimes. If the delusional behavior causes genuine harm to others, it is appropriate to punish it as wrongdoing, not medicate it as an “illness.”

In reality, most people with some level of thought disturbance or delusion do not commit crimes or otherwise pose that level of threat. Thus, simply seeing a psychiatrist often doesn’t solve the root issue; it’s usually more helpful to address psychological concerns spiritually and continue working in one’s occupation as best as possible.

Should the issues become too overwhelming, one might lose their job. In that case, understand that this is a trial or test, and continue to seek out a more suitable line of work—one that you can manage—so you can continue living as normally as possible.

Case #1: Auditory Hallucinations as a “Psychosocial Problem”

The client was raised by parents who were authoritarian, coercive, and lacking in empathy, resulting in deep emotional distress starting from childhood. From a family-systems perspective, it is likely that these parents, too, were victims of abuse or trauma passed down from earlier generations. Therefore, it is essential for both parents and children to make every effort to love, understand, and forgive one another.

Love is the only cure!When family members forgive and love one another, thought disorders and hallucinations often diminish. Love is vital, life-giving energy.

Failing to handle stress well can lead to thought disturbances (delusions) and hallucinations. At such times, built-up stress needs to be released, and pent-up emotions need healthy expression.

Case #2: ' Auditory Hallucinations Caused by “Demonic Influence”

emonic interference can also result in thought disturbances, delusions, and hallucinations. The devil’s work is not just about harassment or annoyance; its sole purpose is destruction and murder. Evil spirits use a human body as a host, attempting to bring death not only to that person but also to those around them. Horror movies portray this principle quite graphically, and while they are dramatized, they reflect a frightening reality: people do die under such influences. In fact, these films can serve as a stark warning from God, prompting us to repent.

When demonic activity is the cause, the solution is exorcism (also called deliverance ministry).

Step 1:Psychological Recovery Consulting

The client’s auditory hallucinations made normal social functioning difficult, forcing them to work in a position ill-suited to their abilities. The first priority was to separate from the emotionally unhealthy family dynamic—ending the dysfunctional family cycle—and reduce the psychological burden.

Step 2:  Exorcism of Demonic Forces

After laying the groundwork in the first session so that the client’s life could begin to change, we next addressed the hallucinations directly. An exorcist (with spiritual authority) began the process of expelling the evil spirit(s).

An exorcist (with spiritual authority) began the process of expelling the evil spirit(s).

And the hallucinations disappeared!

Depending on the nature and strength of the evil spirit, exorcism may be easy or difficult. In this case, after the exorcist’s work, the client reported awakening the next day to find that the once-tormenting voices were gone!

Think of the lifetime medical costs this person no longer has to bear. How much economic loss might have resulted from the hallucinations? What about the additional harm from drug side effects such as nerve damage?

It was through the exorcist’s ministry and the work of the Holy Spirit that the pain vanished—because “the demons fled and left the body.”

In this case, though psychosocial factors played a role, the core issue was that demonic forces were active within the family dynamic as well as within the client’s own psychological state. The demon thrived in that household, driving a wedge between the parents and the child, and afflicting the child with auditory hallucinations. (A psychiatrist or secular psychologist would simply call this schizophrenia.)

Exorcism performed by a spiritually authorized minister is brought to fruition by the sovereign power of God. God’s ability is infinite and eternal, beyond time and space. Trying to limit His miracles or confine them to a particular period in history is a form of prideful human intellect that attempts to stand above God.

Bear in mind that exorcism can be an intense “spiritual battle” and a form of “strenuous labor.” Sometimes, the exorcist may become ill or even die due to the counterattack of the evil spirit.

Moreover, there can be “serious errors” in exorcisms done by unqualified ministers: flawed or incomplete theories, extraneous or misguided commentary, and unsupported claims (e.g., exaggerated talk of “curses on the family line”). Although Catholic exorcism is well-known from movies, Catholics can actually be more vulnerable to demonic attack (due to doctrines like Mariolatry, idolatry, clerical celibacy, and common addiction issues such as alcohol or nicotine), so results can be limited.

A proper theoretical foundation is crucial for exorcism. One core guideline is that, ideally, exorcism should be done remotely (via phone or online) according to certain “spiritual laws.” If the evil spirit enters the exorcist’s body, it can cause unnecessary harm—or even death. Direct face-to-face conversations with demon-possessed individuals can also be risky. Prayer-based intercessory exorcism helps protect both the exorcist and the recipient.

I Have to Clean Up Satan’s Mess!”

Although the client’s auditory hallucinations were completely resolved, the emotional and psychological damages from long-term oppression—such as trauma within the family, deeply ingrained sinful thought patterns, and an overall breakdown in healthy living—remain for the client to address. If the client refuses to make personal efforts toward recovery, there is a risk the hallucinations may recur. If one still embodies the conditions that demons find desirable, they may return to inhabit that person.

It’s a miraculous blessing that these long-endured hallucinations have disappeared!

If You Experience Hallucinations, Severe Thought Disorders, or Intense Delusions...

You can make an appointment via our Channel Talk(fees paid in advance).

We can also address issues such as akathisia (restlessness), tremors, paralysis, etc. through counseling and prayer. Reach out via our Channel Talk (fees paid in advance).