During the middle ages, mental illness was commonly thought to be caused by what?

• A. Bad air
• B. Evil spirits
• C. Demonic possession
• D. Sorcery

Answer: (B)

In the Middle Ages, people largely explained madness as a supernatural influence rather than a physical condition. The prevailing religious worldview held that mental disturbances were due to evil spirits or demons affect­ing a person, which is why spiritual interventions like prayers or exorcisms were common responses. This perspective stands in contrast to naturalistic theories of illness that later emerged; it framed mental illness as something inflicted or sent by supernatural forces. The idea of bad air refers to a physical disease theory (miasma) and wasn’t the typical way madness was understood. Demonic possession is a specific form of the same supernatural influence, so it fits the general belief, but the broader term evil spirits captures the common medieval view more broadly. Sorcery is linked to accusations of witchcraft and harms caused by magic, which was not the standard explanation for mental illness itself.