Illness of the Soul

Between 5 and 15% of people 1 report perceptions or experiences that seem to defy what is understood as 'reality'. To hear voices or see shadows are the most common of such experiences, and they are present in the history of all peoples and epochs, from the most sublime inspirations and visions of the prophets, to the most tragic cases of madness. Those who experience such phenomena rarely state it publicly, thus avoiding mockery or social contempt for being considered 'crazy'. However, the voices and shadows are sometimes very 'real' for the individual and may even be confused with objective reality. Mental confusion often arises as a result of the conflicting information between the physiological senses and what is actually perceived. This phenomenon is considered normal to a certain extent and only becomes pathological when its frequency or intensity affects normal mental processes. The voices of Joan of Arc, the transfiguration of Christ and the uni...