Demomania
/ˌdiːməˈmeɪniə/noun
A delusional belief involving possession by, or pathological fear of, demons.
Did you know?The term belongs to an older European tradition of diagnosing alleged demonic possession as a form of mental illness rather than treating it solely as a supernatural event.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“To think, remember, or have the mind engaged; the distant root behind mania-related vocabulary.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
daímōn
“A divine or supernatural power, spirit, or intermediary; later associated especially with an evil spirit.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
manía
“Madness, frenzy, or inspired ecstatic excitement.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
daimonomanía
“Demon-madness: a condition understood as demonic possession or pathological preoccupation with demons.”
19th Century
English
demomania
“An English medical and psychological term for delusional demonic possession or fear of demons.”
Modern English
English
demomania
“A rare historical or psychiatric term referring to demon-centered delusion or morbid fear.”