When the Paranormal Becomes Personal – Stage 4: Emotional Impact – “Something Is Wrong, and I Can’t Stop It”

Part 4 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 4: Emotional Impact – “Something Is Wrong, and I Can’t Stop It”

As incidents escalate, their emotional consequences become increasingly difficult to separate from everyday life. Anxiety begins to surface without a clear trigger, often manifesting as restlessness, irritability, or a persistent sense of unease.

Concentration becomes harder to maintain, particularly in environments where disturbances have occurred. Tasks that were once routine now require more effort, and the mind feels constantly distracted, as though it is on quiet alert.

Mood changes become noticeable to others. Family members, friends, or colleagues may comment that the person seems withdrawn, tense, or unusually short-tempered. Some individuals experience a lingering fatigue that does not improve with rest, as if their nervous system never fully switches off.

Others develop a growing sense of dread when returning home or entering certain spaces, even though they cannot articulate a specific reason. Particular rooms, corridors, or stairways may carry a sense of tension that feels disproportionate to their physical appearance.

A defining feature of this stage is the growing realisation of lost control. The person tries to fix the situation using every practical method they can think of. Faults are repaired. Homes are cleaned thoroughly. Furniture is moved. Rooms are redecorated. Daily routines are altered in the hope that the problem will stop. These efforts are logical and grounded, but they achieve nothing.

The disturbances continue, unaffected by rational intervention.

This failure is deeply unsettling because it undermines a core assumption: that problems respond to effort. When they do not, frustration turns into helplessness. The person begins to feel as though they are reacting rather than acting, constantly adjusting instead of resolving.

Fear intensifies significantly if a family member appears affected. Children may develop nightmares, refuse to enter certain rooms, or become unusually anxious. Partners may experience mood swings, emotional withdrawal, or sleep disturbance. When changes are observed in others—particularly those who are vulnerable—the situation shifts from personal discomfort to protective concern.

At this point, the idea of an external influence, previously dismissed as implausible, begins to intrude into conscious thought. It is not yet fully accepted, but it can no longer be ignored. The person may strongly resist the conclusion, yet the growing evidence—especially its emotional impact—makes purely conventional explanations feel increasingly inadequate.

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.