Most people don't believe demons are the cause of pain and suffering, but many use demons as the answer to why a person is suffering from mental illness, physical illness or behavioral issues. One would expect such behavior from some Fundamentalist and Pentecostal churches, but never from a registered doctor.
The Telegraph reported that a Christian family doctor from Staffordshire had performed an exorcism over one of his seriously ill patients. According to reports, GP Dr. Thomas O'Brien subjected one specific patient to a large amount of religious material against their will for a period of four months in 2013. Dr. O'Brien, 56, allegedly told his patient that "the devil was having a real go at her" and that she had brought "devil items" into her home, which had caused her illness.
The doctor encouraged the woman to attend his church with him and allegedly recommended that she allow members of the church to perform an exorcism on her, stating "God is her healer."
O'Brien also offered "Patient A" a number of religious materials, including "The Occult Checklist", a resource in Pentecostal circles for determining if a person has interacted with the Occult.
Over the four month period, the patient became convinced that demons possessed her. After Dr. O'Brien had told the patient to stop taking psychiatric drugs, the patient told her psychiatrist about the events, and the psychiatrist alerted the General Medical Council to O'Brien's actions.
O'Brien confessed to visiting the patient in her home the first time but denies all other accusations, including him encouraging the patient to have an exorcism. He was unwilling to attend the hearing, but did send a letter stating his resignation from medicine.
O'Brien stated that he forgave the patient and the psychiatrist who accused him, as well as how he believes "God knows everything and will judge accordingly."