Having had a very close relative who was a paranoid schizophrenic, I can tell you that this is not at all unusual. One of the reasons my relative never got treatment was that at times, she seemed perfectly sane - but this was essentially her “crazy self” that was telling her that it was time to act sane for one reason or another (usually an encounter with law enforcement).
Many people who are mentally ill in a classic sense - that is, something beyond their control that takes over their lives - are also a little on the neurotic side and their neuroses (desire for attention, etc.) function in tandem with their psychosis.
It’s not surprising that psychosis was considered demonic possession once upon a time, because it really is as if some other force has taken over these people’s lives. But it is a very canny, wary force and it is devoted to its self-preservation.
If you don’t read the Bible or aren’t Catholic, look up Gadarene swine. Of course, Jesus sent them over the cliff and they all perished, but most demons want to live to fight another day.
“Having had a very close relative who was a paranoid schizophrenic, I can tell you that this is not at all unusual. One of the reasons my relative never got treatment was that at times, she seemed perfectly sane - but this was essentially her “crazy self” that was telling her that it was time to act sane for one reason or another (usually an encounter with law enforcement).”
I have seen this same thing with a paranoid schizophrenic having an apparent episode. Knew what line not to cross. Went right up to it.
The famous Soulja girl video is someone with Bipolar Disorder out of control terrorizing an old woman- but she knows how far she could go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQWc3MWQxtU