When the Paranormal Becomes Personal – Stage 3: Rational Strain – “I Know What I Saw, But That Can’t Be Right”

Part 3 of a 9-Part Series of The Human Journey From Dismissal to Acknowledgement

Most people do not expect to encounter anything they would describe as paranormal. Unexplained experiences are assumed to belong to stories, television programmes, or the lives of other people—not to ordinary homes, workplaces, or families. When something unusual first occurs, it is almost always dismissed, rationalised, or quietly ignored.

This blog series explores what happens when that dismissal no longer works.

Written from the perspective of an average, previously sceptical individual, each post examines a distinct stage in the psychological and emotional journey that can unfold when unexplained events persist. Rather than focusing on belief, the series focuses on impact—how confidence gives way to unease, how control is gradually lost, and how everyday life and relationships are affected.

These posts are intended to offer clarity, reassurance, and recognition to those who may see themselves reflected in the stages described, and to underline that uncertainty is not weakness, and seeking help is not an admission of belief, but a practical response to a real problem.

Stage 3: Rational Strain – “I Know What I Saw, But That Can’t Be Right”

Eventually, something happens that refuses to fit within the comfortable boundaries of logic. It is not vague or fleeting, and it cannot easily be explained away after the fact. A voice is heard clearly when no one else is present, not muffled or ambiguous, but distinct enough to register as intentional.

A figure is seen, not as a trick of light, but with shape and presence. There may be the unmistakable sensation of physical contact—a touch, a pressure, a brush past the body—or an object moves in plain view without any obvious physical cause.

What makes this moment particularly destabilising is its clarity. There is no immediate confusion, no delay in perception. The individual is aware, alert, and certain that the experience occurred exactly as it was perceived. Only afterwards does the conflict begin.

The internal struggle that follows is intense.

The senses report one reality, while long-held beliefs insist that such an experience cannot be possible. The mind searches desperately for alternative explanations—hallucination, exhaustion, stress, misinterpretation—anything that allows the experience to remain within acceptable boundaries. This effort creates cognitive strain, as logic and perception pull in opposite directions.

Self-doubt quickly sets in. People begin to scrutinise their own mental state, often more harshly than they would anyone else’s. They may wonder whether they are imagining things, exaggerating, or losing perspective. Even individuals with no history of anxiety or psychological difficulty may find themselves quietly questioning their mental health, precisely because the experience feels so real yet so incompatible with their worldview.

Emotionally, this stage is deeply isolating. The person feels unsettled and privately frightened, but also embarrassed by the very fact of that fear. They are reluctant to share what happened, anticipating disbelief or concern from others. Outwardly, they continue to present themselves as rational and sceptical, minimising or joking about the incident if it is mentioned at all.

Internally, however, something has shifted. The certainty that once underpinned their understanding of reality has been shaken, and no amount of reasoning seems able to restore it.

Help, if Needed.

If you or someone you know repeatedly dismisses strange experiences while quietly feeling unsettled, early guidance can prevent escalation. Confidential help is available from Paranormal Rescue, which operates as a sort of fifth emergency service, addressing incidents that fall outside the remit of police, fire, medical, or breakdown services. When unexplained disturbances disrupt normal life, Paranormal Rescue provides calm, structured, evidence-based support.

Written by Brian Sterling-Vete, PhD and Helen Renée Wuorio, TM, RM.

Founders of the Paranormal Rescue Organisation - www.ParanormalRescue.com

Brian Sterling-Vete is a veteran science-based paranormal researcher, field investigator, and author with decades of experience researching unexplained phenomena.

Helen Renée Wuorio is a Tarot Master, Reiki Master Teacher, and author specialising in intuitive perception, historical symbolism, and experiential consciousness research.

Together, they head Paranormal Rescue, a global organisation offering a unique and discreet emergency assistance service and support for those dealing with complex, malevolent and occasionally dangerous paranormal situations.