“Does the Bible mention schizophrenia?”……Answer: Schizophrenia, a severe form of mental illness, is nowhere explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, some people in the Bible exhibited characteristics of schizophrenic behavior. People suffering from schizophrenia have a strong tendency to withdraw themselves from the real world and display irrational or inappropriate reactions to normal, everyday situations. Sometimes called a "split personality," schizophrenia is also characterized by hallucinations and/or delusions of being persecuted or even of being all-powerful and invincible, sometimes with seemingly unimpaired intelligence.……As a means of discipline, God would at times afflict people with debilitating psychological maladies. For example, Nebuchadnezzar was stricken with the belief that he was an animal (Daniel 4:31-33). This rare form of mental illness, observed even today, is known as zoanthropy.……In the Bible, various people were possessed by demons or evil spirits who mimicked the characteristics of schizophrenia. In the first chapter of Mark, a man with an unclean spirit challenged Jesus. When Jesus instantly healed the man, those who witnessed this miracle were amazed: "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him" (Mark 1:23-27). Another incident is that of the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gerasenes. This man, possessed by a group of demons called Legion, could not even be subdued by iron chains. Running naked through the catacombs where he lived, he would cry out day and night and cut himself with stones (Mark 5:1-15Luke 8:27). ……Some believe that people who suffer from schizophrenia and other such mental illnesses are actually possessed by demons. However, in the New Testament demons spoke rationally, whereas people who suffer from schizophrenia speak in what's called "word-salads," mixtures of random words spoken in a manner that seems meaningful, but that actually carries no significance all.……Additionally, the Bible shows that demons have a strong revulsion to Jesus (Matthew 8:29Mark 1:23-24Luke 4:34), whereas people suffering from schizophrenia oftentimes seek spiritual help and counseling. Demons might have supernatural knowledge, but those with mental illness never demonstrate such clairvoyance. We can also assume that those seemingly possessed by evil spirits who are cured medicinally were actually never possessed to begin with. ……There are numerous forms of mental illnesses that affect countless people. One recent study found that four out of every ten long-term hospital patients suffer from schizophrenia. Though medical treatment, including shock therapy, drug therapy and physchosurgery can have varying results, it's rarely enough for a complete recovery. Dr. Steven Waterhouse, author of Strength for His People, has a brother suffering from this illness. Dr. Waterhouse writes of one psychiatrist who said, "I can tune the piano, but only God can teach a mentally ill person to make music again." ……Jesus can heal every disease, including mental illness (Luke 4:40). The Apostle Paul encourages us to live stable and balanced lives: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).