Possessed by Someone?
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A Psychological Look at a Very Real Feeling
In many homes, when someone suddenly reacts in a way that feels unfamiliar, crying, shouting, shaking, or going blank, the first fear that rises is:
“Kisi ne karni ki hai.”
Or
“This doesn’t look like her at all.”
These moments feel dramatic, frightening, and almost supernatural.
But psychology shows that behind these reactions are very human emotional experiences, not external forces.
A Real Case I Worked With
During a heated disagreement at home, a young woman suddenly broke down.
Her voice changed, she started crying uncontrollably, and afterward she said:
“I don’t know what came over me… it didn’t feel like me.”
Her family panicked and whispered:
“Shayad kisi ne karni ki hai.”
But what actually happened was dissociation triggered by emotional overload.
When emotions cross a threshold, the mind can momentarily disconnect to protect itself.
This makes the behaviour look unusual, intense, and out of character.
To a scared family, it feels supernatural.
To a therapist, it’s a sign of emotional overwhelm.
Why These Moments Feel Like ‘Possession’
Because they are:
- sudden
- uncontrollable
- emotionally intense
- very different from the person’s usual behaviour
These reactions can come from:
- Trauma resurfacing
- Anxiety or panic
- Burnout
- Suppressed emotions
- Fatigue
- A mind in survival mode
Not spirits.
Not someone doing “karni.”
Just the nervous system trying to cope.
How Therapy Helps
1. Understanding the trigger
A sharp word, a memory, or stress can set off an emotional chain reaction.
2. Helping the person return to their body
Grounding, breathing, and sensory techniques help regain control.
3. Exploring the emotional root
The “possessed” behaviour is usually a part of you carrying unspoken pain.
4. Restoring a strong sense of self
With time, clients start recognising what’s happening inside them before things spiral.
They often say:
“It wasn’t something taking over…
it was a part of me that finally surfaced.”
When to Seek Support
Consider help if someone:
- behaves in ways they don’t remember
- feels disconnected from themselves
- has sudden emotional outbursts
- freezes, trembles, or shuts down
- experiences panic-like symptoms
- reacts dramatically during conflict
These are emotional signals, not supernatural ones.
At Vibrant Aura, we help you make sense of these intense moments with empathy, clarity, and psychological insight.
A non judgmental space to break the silence.