Medical Experts Save Woman Believed to Be ‘Possessed’ in Udaipur Hospital

(Tuktak Bhanawat)

Udaipur :  A 32-year-old housewife from Loha Garh, Pratapgarh, was admitted to the emergency OPD at PIMS Hospital, Umarda, just a day before Holi on March 13. She was brought in a restrained condition, as her family reported she had been behaving as if possessed by spirits for the past five days.
According to her relatives, she had stopped eating, experienced sleeplessness, and frequently screamed about seeing dead relatives. Her voice had changed, becoming high-pitched and husky, and she was forcibly grabbing people around her. In fear, the family had initially taken her to local priests and faith healers, who declared that she was under the influence of evil spirits and would not survive.
The situation had worsened so much that when doctors advised ICU admission, her husband hesitated, saying, *"If you guarantee her survival, only then we will admit her."* Despite their fears, the medical team convinced the family to allow a week-long hospital stay.
She was given continuous sedation using dexmedetomidine infusion for 24 hours. Medical tests, including EEG and MRI brain scans, showed no abnormalities, except for mild hypokalemia, which was corrected. She was administered high-dose mirtazapine, given two sessions of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and treated with hypnotic suggestions. Following this intensive medical intervention, she made a complete recovery.
The treatment team was led by **Prof. & Head Dr. Praveen Khairkar (MD)**, along with **Dr. Amit Kumar (MD, Associate Professor, Anesthesia), Dr. Archish Khivsara (MD), Dr. Manisha Meena (MD), and psychiatry residents Dr. Ishu Bamal, Dr. Divya Chadha, and Dr. Yosha Raghuvanshi.
This case highlights the need to trust medical professionals and reduce social stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Often, what is perceived as a supernatural possession can be a severe psychiatric disorder requiring medical attention. Experts urge families to seek timely medical intervention instead of relying solely on traditional beliefs, ensuring better health outcomes for patients in distress.