Confronting Stigma in Demonic and Spiritual Possession
The Hmong people have always understood that the unseen world is just as real as the one we live in. Our ancestors passed down stories of spirits, curses, and unseen forces that shape our lives. But they also passed down something else—silence. Historically, Hmong families have kept their struggles hidden. We do not speak openly about suffering, about mental illness, about things we fear others will not understand. Demonic possession is one of those things. To name the darkness is to acknowledge its existence. And in Hmong culture, where maintaining our name and avoiding shame is deeply ingrained, many suffer in silence. But the more we ignore it, the more power it gains.
Demonic possession does not need our belief to exist—it thrives in isolation, in stigma, in believing that it no longer exists, and in the refusal to speak its name. The first step to reclaiming power over spiritual affliction is to break the silence. Out of stigma comes the silence, and silence does not protect us. It only strengthens what seeks to harm us. Let’s talk about demonic and spiritual possession - not as a distant superstition, but as a lived experience that affects real people in real ways. Demonic and spiritual possession isn't like what we witness in Hollywood exorcism movies. Demonic/spiritual possession happens on a spectrum. It builds over time. And before a person reaches full possession, they often experience other stages of spiritual affliction.
Demonic / Spiritual Oppression
This is when a negative entity, spiritual or demonic, temporarily influences a person’s thoughts, decisions, or actions. It does not take full control, but it pushes. It whispers. It manipulates.
The signs of oppression may include:
Unexplained emotional distress, heaviness, or sudden shifts in behavior.
Persistent negative thoughts, often intrusive and self-harm, and suicide ideation.
A series of misfortunes or setbacks that feel “unnatural” in their pattern. Most people have said that no matter what they do, it's one thing after another and they just can't "catch a break."
Many describe losing track of time
Many also describe it as a, "It's like I'm here but I'm not really here."
At this stage, many people don’t recognize what’s happening. They assume it’s just stress, bad luck, or depression. Nightmares and night terrors also occur in an oppression. The goal is to oppress an individual, to tire them out.
Demonic / Spiritual Infestation
Infestation is when dark spirits, energy, or demons lingers in a space—or even around a person. Infestations occur in physical spaces where a person goes into. Wherever they go, the demons and spirits follow. This is why when a person is being infested and they move homes, they continue to experience the infestation at the new home. Demons become a leech and they go wherever their host goes. Animals grow uneasy, barking or avoiding certain areas or people.
Infestations can occur:
In homes, particularly those with past trauma such as a murder or violence death, or unresolved energies.
In objects, such as inherited items or things tied to spiritual rituals.
Around individuals, especially those who are oppressed by a demon or entity
Infestations are also vampiric in nature. This means wherever the infested person goes, trouble and misfortune follows.
An infestation is not possession, but it creates the environment for it to happen. It weakens a person’s defenses. Families and friends fall apart during this stage because of infestations. It prepares the mind and person for the next stage.
Demonic / Spiritual Obsession
At this stage, the affliction is no longer just external—it has entered the mind. The person begins to fixate on the darkness, either consciously or subconsciously. They may be aware that a change has taken place, but unaware of the hurt or harm they have caused.
Signs of obsession include:
Constant intrusive thoughts, often violent or self-harming.
Mood swings including acute schizophrenia and bipolar type symptoms
Alienated or settle signs of multiple personality disorder
A growing disconnection from reality—feeling isolated, numb, or detached.
Uncontrollable urges of rage, self-destruction, or paranoia.
Threats made to friends, family, and close ones
Anger over religious symbolism such as a Hmong shaman, Catholic cross or rosary, Buddha statue, etc.
This is when the afflicted person starts losing themselves. They withdraw. They lash out. They begin doubting their own sanity. They may exhibit strange and animalistic like behavior and actions. In some cases, the afflicted may exhibit tiger-like or monkey-like behaviors, making weird and unusual sounds, movements, or actions. The demon or spirit has entered the mind of the afflicted. If nothing intervenes, the person can be a true danger to themselves and those around.
Demonic / Spiritual Possession
Possession is when an external entity takes control—not permanently, but in episodes. They have a seat in the afflicted's mind where they are easily controlled. A possessed person is not always under the influence, but when they are, their free will is no longer their own.
Possession manifests through:
Sudden, uncharacteristic outbursts of aggression or despair
Intense periods of alienated personality or multiple personality
Inability to differentiate reality from delusion
Animalistic behaviors, movements, and actions
Loss of perceived senses to pain
Physical changes, such as unexplained bruises, exhaustion, or bodily sensations.
A deep, overwhelming sense of disconnection from self, soul, and spirit.
New gained knowledge that the afflicted wouldn't have otherwise gained (speaking a new language or secrets no one else knows)
Sudden periods of extreme strength (lifting sofa or table by themselves)
Anger over religious symbolism such as a Hmong shaman, Catholic cross or rosary, holy water, Buddha statue, etc.
Mockery of religious symbolism
Complete periods of loss of control and inability to recall events or actions
Unusual or strange cravings such as raw meat, blood, feces, etc
There are three human conditions that are attacked during a demonic possession. These include:
The Somatic Condition (Body & Immediate Reactions)
Affected people may feel intense exhaustion, unexplained pain, or involuntary movements.
Their body may react to spiritual triggers with chills, nausea, or sudden discomfort.
Their sleep is often disturbed, filled with vivid nightmares or sleep paralysis.
This is the first condition that spirits or demons attack.
The Psychic Condition (Mind & Emotions)
Persistent, uncontrollable negative thoughts.
Heightened emotions—extreme anger, despair, paranoia, numbness, depression
A sense of mental fog, disorientation, or feeling "not like oneself."
They may hear things or believe things being told to them by the demon / spirit
This is the condition that spirits or demons will try to get a control of. Once they can attack or control the psychic condition, they can control how a person feels.
The Spiritual Condition (Soul & Purpose)
A growing disconnection from life, faith, or personal identity.
An inability to feel joy, love, or emotional connection.
A sense of spiritual emptiness—feeling as though one’s essence is “fading.”
The is the last and hardest condition that spirits or demons attack. Once they can attack or gain control of this condition, the person has entered possession.
It is important to acknowledge that stigma prevents someone from seeking help and remaining in care. Stigma thrives in isolation, so it will create the journey for that. Stigma keeps us silent.
A person experiencing oppression may fear being mocked for “imagining things.”
Someone in the grip of obsession may worry about being labeled as mentally ill.
A person nearing possession may be too ashamed to admit they’ve lost control.
In the Hmong community, where saving face and reputation holds importance, we are taught to endure in silence rather than admit our situation. Historically, we've practiced that dark or bad situations are shameful because that's the response that we give when we hear or see someone suffering. Stigma is what allows a demonic possession to spread because the more isolated a person feels, the more isolated a family feels, the deeper the affliction takes hold. It convinces us that seeking help is weakness, that admitting to spiritual affliction and mental health is a personal failure rather than a condition that can be understood and healed.
Here are seven practices we can adopt to help break the stigma surrounding demonic and spiritual possession:
Breaking the silence is the first step. Creating spaces of non-judgment, where people can seek help without fear, is the next. It is time to replace fear with knowledge, shame with support, and secrecy with healing.
We validate experiences – understanding that not all suffering can be explained away by logic alone.
We offer healing, not shame – whether through spiritual intervention, personal rituals, or holistic practices.
We let people ask for help without losing face – because true strength is in reclaiming one’s power, not in suffering alone.
We respond with no shame or judgement, and we correct others that shame - it takes a collective to stand against stigma. How we respond when we see a demonic possession shapes the vibe of the environment.
We remain open to ideas and healing - the main goal is to deliver the person and detach them from the demon. It doesn't matter if it's done through Hmong shamanic beliefs, the church, buddhism, or medicine. We respect their choice of method.
We stop using stigmatizing language - this means we stop calling the afflicted "crazy." We use person-first language, saying, "a person who is experiencing a possession." We shift the way we perceive possessions.
A true possession is similar to someone who is sick. The person is not their sickness. They are not defined by their possession. Think of possession as a journey towards healing. It's a journey towards health, and the goal is to get them the care and help they need. As a Hmong shaman, the first step to healing is breaking the silence. The second step is responding with empathy and care.
TFL Hmong Shaman
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