C O LUMB I A | On Campus
A Psychiatric Account of Demonic Possession
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL REGARDED FOR EXPERTISE IN SUPERNATURAL REALM By Catherine Elvy , Staff Writer
An Ivy League-credentialed scholar who serves on the faculties at Columbia University ’ s psychoanalytic center and New York Medical College is generating headlines for his expanding expertise and forthcoming book on a most unlikely topic , namely demonic possession .
Among the coverage , a major news outlet recently described Richard Gallagher as the “ go-to guy for a sprawling network of exorcists ” across the United States . “ For the past 25 years , he has helped clergy distinguish between mental illness and what he calls ‘ the real thing ,’” CNN reported .
While still settling publication details , Gallagher , Princeton ’ 72 , hopes copies of Demonic Foes : An Account of Demonic Possession in the United States will be released in early 2018 .
Medical professionals have a duty to aid afflicted individuals , regardless of whether the condition may be controversial , according to Gallagher .
“ In a subject like this , one has to be scrupulously honest ,” he said . “ You ’ re dealing with material , some of which is on the fantastical side .”
Gallagher is quick to acknowledge the importance of his deep-rooted faith . Though , there are many fine , unreligious scientists , “ I do believe , on some level , the fullest understanding of the true nature of man , creation , and the universe is helped by a Christian view ,” he said .
Exorcisms and insight to the spiritual realm were not within Gallagher ’ s strategic vision during his classical
and medical studies at top-tier universities . The board-certified psychiatrist studied classics at Princeton University before attending SUNY Downstate Medical Center and completing a psychiatric residency at Yale University .
Columbia University Psychiatrist Richard Gallagher , Princeton ’ 72 , is penning a book about demonic possession .
In a column solicited by The Washington Post , Gallagher explained his unexpected introduction to spiritual warfare , as well as the widening demand for relief . In the late 1980s , a Catholic priest asked Gallagher for his psychiatric assessment of a woman who identified herself as a Satanic high priestess .
Though he was disposed toward skepticism , the woman ’ s conduct “ exceeded what I could explain with my training ,” Gallagher wrote for The Washington Post . “ She knew how individuals she ’ d never known had died , including my mother and her fatal case of ovarian cancer .” Other witnesses reported a series of extraordinary events , including hearing the woman speak unfamiliar languages during trance-like states .
As such , Gallagher concluded the subject ’ s displays went beyond natural causes and were more akin to paranormal phenomena .
With that , an “ unlikely partnership ” began for the psychiatrist , who has handled several hundred consultations . Gallagher assists a variety of clergy with distinguishing mental illness from demonic manifestations . The “ overwhelming majority ” of episodes represent mental disorders , said Gallagher .
While an unusual specialty area for an academic physician , Gallagher does not see an unreconcilable conflict . “ The same habits that shape what I do as a professor and psychiatrist — open-mindedness , respect for evidence , and compassion for suffering people — led me to aid in the work ” of discerning possible evil attacks , he wrote for the Post in 2016 .
Naturally , the majority of Gallagher ’ s mainstream colleagues reject the concept of evil spirits , in part because of their regular observations f a l l 2 0 1 7 : : c h r i s t i a n u n i o n . o r g
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