interesting reading

I was messing around on the internet while I was waiting for my ebay auction to win and I found this article:

I was speaking with a patient in one of our outpatient programs last week. He excitedly told me that he was on his way to a psychiatric hospital right after our meeting.
I was puzzled until he added that he was going there for a job interview. He's about to complete a mental health counseling degree at a community college. Immediately, I was struck by the extraordinary progress he has made — from being virtually overwhelmed by his schizophrenia to living very effectively with this disease.
I first met this man over 10 years ago during a series of psychiatric hospitalizations for severe psychotic symptoms associated with his schizophrenia. He was tortured by what seemed to be the voice of God saying terrible things to him.
His auditory hallucinations drowned out the daily life around him and he was overwhelmed with bizarre and frightening delusional thoughts. At times, he wanted to end his life to escape the pain of these incessant unreal experiences.
His psychotic experiences seemed so real that he could not accept the fact that he had a psychiatric disorder — and thus he saw no reason to take any medications. Usually, once in the hospital he would take medications, hoping to be discharged sooner; it often worked because his symptoms did improve. Once back home, however, he would discard his prescriptions and stop taking his medications. Before long, he'd be back in the hospital as the psychotic symptoms became more pronounced.
I'm not sure what helped him turn the corner to taking his medications regularly and staying out of the hospital for longer periods of time. It has been many years now since his last psychiatric admission. Perhaps it was a combination of maturity, faith, support from his wife, education, intensive involvement with the outpatient mental health program, and the right combination of medicines. I suspect all were important to him.
In fact, he was functioning so well that I assumed his symptoms were gone. When I asked him about auditory hallucinations, I was surprised when he responded that he continued to experience the demonic voices.
What was different now was that he had learned to differentiate what was real from what was a symptom of his illness. His schizophrenia wasn't cured, but it was under control. That's like having diabetes — the disease is never cured, but it can be managed with education, support from family and friends, effective outpatient treatment, lifestyle changes, and adherence to medications.

But the most interesting part was the comment following the article:

I came across this and thought I would post a comment. Demonic oppression is real, although in our culture it isn't fashionable to believe that God/demons/the devil are real. I suggest your friend read the gospels:Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus dealt with many who were harrassed by demons. Often, someone, whether the individual or their parents, grandparents, or great grandparents, have opened themselves up for demonic attack through occult practices, ouji board games, astral projection, etc. The good news is, there is hope. Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil. The key is repentence, turning away from our own ways, and turning to Jesus. I have personally seen many people set free of demonic oppression. Any born-again, Spirit-filled church should be able to help your friend. Jesus came to give believers back the authority that Adam and Eve lost in the garden. That authority was surrendered to the devil, and only those that understand their authority in Jesus, and truly know Him, can effectively deal with demonic activity. Often, unforgiveness and bitterness are the open doors for this kind of oppression. Jesus taught that unless we forgive others, we will not receive God's forgiveness. In the same way we forgive, we will be forgiven. Often the problem comes through dishonoring one's parents and rebelling. I am not saying that every demonic oppression is the result of sin in one's own life, or one's direct lineage; sometimes it is just the effect of our fallen world. Music is also important. When Saul [in the Bible] found himself tormented by demons (because of his disobedience) a young [soon to be king] David played worship music to God, and the demons ceased to bother Saul when the music played. Although drugs may seem to help, they really only mask the problem--the root is still undealt with. The Greek word for drugs is the word we get pharmeceuticals from. It is also the Greek word for "sorcery" (ie. witchcraft). The literal meaning is "mind-benders". Drugs do not stop pain, they merely mask its effect. Anyway, hoping that you will forward this to your freind, and that he finds it helpful. Have a good day.
WOW!