As a psychiatrist, I often encounter a question that might surprise some but is deeply rooted in our cultural context: Do ghosts exist? Is there truth to the paranormal?

For many people in India, the belief in ghosts, spirits, and the paranormal is not just folklore—it’s woven into everyday life. From stories passed down through generations to personal encounters, these beliefs often create a sense of awe, fear, and mystery.

But what happens when these beliefs begin to affect someone’s mental health? As a psychiatrist, I approach this question through the lens of psychology and human behavior. While it’s important to respect cultural beliefs, there’s also a need to understand how such thoughts can sometimes evolve into something more concerning, such as a mental health disorder.

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Paranormal Beliefs in Indian Culture

India is a land rich in tradition and spirituality. Stories of ghosts, spirits, and supernatural entities are deeply embedded in our culture. Whether it’s the “Bhoot”, “Chudail”, or the “Pret”, different regions have their own versions of supernatural beings.

I remember growing up listening to stories from elders about haunted houses or evil spirits lurking in dark corners. Even in modern India, there are countless rituals and practices to ward off evil spirits. In many families, it’s not uncommon for someone to burn incense or consult a spiritual healer after a particularly unsettling experience.

But here’s where things get tricky—sometimes, these beliefs can intensify into fears or even obsessive thoughts that take over a person’s life.

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The Psychiatrist’s View: When Beliefs Cross into Disorders

From a psychiatric perspective, it’s essential to distinguish between cultural beliefs and when these beliefs start causing distress or impacting someone’s daily functioning. There’s a fine line between holding a belief in ghosts and developing a mental health disorder such as Delusional Disorder or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

1. Delusional Disorder:

This occurs when a person firmly believes in things that aren’t real, such as being haunted by a ghost. Unlike cultural beliefs, which are shared by many and may be flexible, a delusion is rigid and persists even when evidence to the contrary is presented.

Example:
I once treated a man named Ravi, who was convinced that his house was haunted by the spirit of his late grandmother. He would hear her voice, feel her presence, and believed she was controlling his life. Despite moving homes and undergoing religious rituals, his belief did not waver. It turned out that Ravi was experiencing delusional episodes as part of a larger mental health condition.

2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD):

In some cases, fear of the paranormal can become obsessive. A person may perform rituals or compulsive actions to “protect” themselves from spirits. These actions may initially seem like cultural practices but can escalate into a disorder if they become intrusive and excessive.

Example:
Sunita, a young woman I worked with, believed that a Chudail (a female spirit) would attack her if she didn’t perform specific rituals every night before bed. Her OCD manifested in the form of repetitive prayers, locking windows, and arranging objects in a particular way to avoid attracting the spirit. While she initially thought her behavior was a part of her cultural heritage, it soon began to consume her life, affecting her sleep and relationships.

3. Sleep Paralysis and Hallucinations:

Many people in India report seeing ghosts or spirits during sleep paralysis—a condition where a person is unable to move upon waking and often experiences vivid hallucinations. While this is a well-documented phenomenon, in India, it is frequently attributed to supernatural forces.

Example:
I recall a case where a man named Arjun was terrified of going to bed because he believed that a ghost would come to him in his sleep. Every night, he would wake up feeling like something was sitting on his chest. In reality, Arjun was experiencing sleep paralysis, a phenomenon that can be explained scientifically but was magnified by his fear of the supernatural.

4. Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thinking. In the context of Indian culture, hallucinations or delusions are sometimes interpreted as paranormal experiences, such as hearing the voice of a deceased relative or seeing a ghost.

Example:

Rakesh, a 35-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, started hearing voices telling him that his ancestors were communicating from another realm. His family believed he was blessed with a “divine connection,” and they sought the help of a spiritual healer rather than a psychiatrist. As his condition worsened, Rakesh began talking to himself, refusing to eat, and withdrawing from society. It wasn’t until he was diagnosed with schizophrenia that he started receiving appropriate treatment, including antipsychotic medications and therapy. His delusions, which initially appeared as supernatural encounters, were a part of his mental health condition.

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5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

In rural India, individuals who have experienced traumatic events often attribute their symptoms to supernatural causes. PTSD occurs after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event, such as an accident, violence, or natural disaster. Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance (being constantly on edge) are common symptoms, but in Indian cultural contexts, these symptoms are sometimes interpreted as hauntings or possession by evil spirits.

Example:

Priya, a 28-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu, survived a horrific road accident but was haunted by flashbacks and nightmares. She believed that the ghost of another person who died in the crash was tormenting her. Her family sought the help of a religious leader to perform rituals to “free her from the ghost’s clutches.” In reality, Priya was experiencing severe PTSD, and once she received trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), her symptoms started to subside.

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6. Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD)

Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) is a condition in which a person experiences significant physical symptoms—such as pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath—without a clear medical cause. These symptoms often become a source of intense worry and anxiety. In Indian culture, when no physical cause is found, these symptoms are sometimes attributed to black magic, curses, or possession by malevolent forces.

Example:

Deepak, a 42-year-old man from a small village in Rajasthan, complained of constant headaches, chest pain, and dizziness. Despite multiple medical tests showing no physical cause, he believed that a curse had been placed on him by a jealous relative. His family consulted a spiritual healer, but the rituals did little to alleviate his pain. Deepak’s condition was later diagnosed as Somatic Symptom Disorder, and through therapy and mindfulness practices, he learned to manage his symptoms. His belief in the curse was a reflection of cultural interpretations of unexplained physical symptoms.

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6. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)

Conversion Disorder, also known as Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, involves neurological symptoms—such as paralysis, blindness, or seizures—that cannot be explained by medical conditions. In India, such symptoms are often linked to possession by spirits or supernatural forces. A person may believe that their body has been “taken over” by a spirit, resulting in these physical symptoms.

Example:

Meena, a 19-year-old college student from Madhya Pradesh, suddenly lost the ability to walk and started experiencing seizures. Her family believed that she had been possessed by a spirit and took her to a local priest for an exorcism. Despite repeated rituals, her condition persisted. It was only after consulting a psychiatrist that she was diagnosed with Conversion Disorder. Meena’s symptoms were her body’s way of expressing psychological distress, not the result of possession. Through psychotherapy, she gradually regained her mobility.

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7. Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a condition where a person’s identity fragments into two or more distinct personality states. This disorder is often linked to severe trauma, particularly during childhood. In Indian cultural settings, DID can sometimes be misunderstood as possession by multiple spirits, where each “personality” is seen as a different entity inhabiting the person’s body.

Example:

Aarti, a 25-year-old from Kerala, started exhibiting different personalities—one of which was an older woman who spoke a different language, while another was a child. Her family believed she had been possessed by multiple spirits. Over time, it became clear that Aarti had experienced severe abuse as a child, which led to the development of DID. Her “personalities” were not spirits, but rather different parts of her psyche that had split off due to the trauma she had endured. Treatment involved trauma-focused therapy and integration of her different identities.

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Why Are Paranormal Beliefs So Strong in India?

1. Cultural Conditioning:

From a young age, many of us are exposed to stories of the paranormal through family, media, and folklore. Over time, these stories become ingrained in our minds, making it difficult to separate myth from reality.

2. Spirituality and Religion:

In India, religion plays a massive role in how people interpret the world around them. Many religious beliefs are intertwined with the idea of life after death, spirits, and the supernatural, which reinforces the belief in ghosts and other entities.

3. Lack of Mental Health Awareness:

In many parts of India, mental health awareness is still limited. Instead of understanding anxiety, hallucinations, or sleep paralysis through a medical lens, people might turn to religious or spiritual explanations, which can delay treatment.

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How to Address Paranormal Beliefs from a Mental Health Perspective

As a psychiatrist, I don’t dismiss cultural beliefs outright. It’s important to respect a person’s background. However, when these beliefs begin to cause distress or interfere with daily life, it’s essential to offer an alternative understanding. Here’s how we can approach it:

1. Open Conversations:
   Encouraging open dialogue about mental health can help people differentiate between cultural practices and mental health issues. People often feel relieved when they realize their symptoms, like hallucinations, can be explained medically.
2. Psychological Counseling:
   Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help people reframe their thoughts around the paranormal and manage their fears.
3. Education:
   Educating individuals and families about conditions like delusional disorders, OCD, or sleep paralysis can help them understand that their experiences are rooted in the mind and not in supernatural forces.
4. Respecting Beliefs:
   It’s crucial to strike a balance between respecting cultural beliefs and providing psychiatric care. In my practice, I’ve seen the importance of combining traditional beliefs with modern treatment to help patients feel more comfortable.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult a licensed psychiatrist for personalized care.

Dr. Rameez Shaikh, MD