Maya was known for her vibrant spirit and filled with enthusiasm. A successful software professional in her late twenties, she approached life with passion and determination. Her love story with Arun had been the talk of their social circle – college sweethearts who dated for five years before tying the knot. Their wedding photos captured their joy, with Maya’s radiant smile lighting up every frame.

But six months into their marriage, Maya’s health began to change in subtle yet persistent ways. It started with frequent sore throats that wouldn’t respond to medication. Then came the unexplained fatigue, despite her usually energetic nature. The diagnosis of thyroid issues surprised everyone – Maya had always been the picture of health.

Behind closed doors, a different story was unfolding. Maya, who grew up in a progressive household where family dinners meant lively discussions and where her opinions were not just heard but valued, found herself in an entirely different family dynamic. Her father-in-law, a traditionally minded businessman, held an invisible yet powerful grip over every household decision. Arun, despite his modern education and loving nature, followed his father’s words without question – a pattern deeply ingrained since childhood.

The simplest decisions now required her father-in-law’s approval. Whether it was visiting her parents, or even deciding on weekend plans, everything passed through the filter of his preferences. Maya found herself swallowing her words, holding back her thoughts, quite literally choking on unspoken opinions.

During her first Family Constellation Therapy session, Maya initially resisted acknowledging these dynamics. “Everything is fine,” she insisted, even as her body told a different story through recurring health issues. Dr Sharmila Dhobale a Constellation therapist gently guided her through the process, helping her see the connection between her physical symptoms and the emotional suppression she was experiencing.

The breakthrough came during the third session when Maya finally allowed herself to see the pattern. Her thyroid issues – located in the throat chakra, the energy centre of self-expression – were her body’s way of screaming what she couldn’t say out loud. The chronic body aches represented the weight of conforming to a family system that felt foreign to her natural way of being.

With this awareness came the courage to act. Maya shared her realizations with Arun, who initially struggled to see the connection between family dynamics and her health issues. However, her deteriorating health concerned him enough to agree to attend a therapy session with her.

The joint session was transformative. Through the constellation work, Arun witnessed how his unquestioning acceptance of his father’s authority was affecting not just Maya, but their relationship’s foundation. He saw, for the first time, how Maya’s health issues, in fact her Mother’s physical health issues were her body’s response to the emotional suffocation she and his mother experienced.

Gradually, changes began to unfold. Arun started taking a more active role in decisions affecting their life together and as well a his Mother’s health. While still respecting his father, he learned to create boundaries and stand up for their choices as a couple and as a Son. Maya found her voice again, and with it, her health began to improve.

The thyroid levels started stabilizing as Maya regained her ability to express herself freely. The sore throats became less frequent as she no longer had to swallow her words. The body aches diminished as the weight of constant adaptation lifted from her shoulders.

Maya’s story illuminates the profound connection between our emotional well-being and physical health. Her journey shows how our bodies often manifest what our minds struggle to express, and how healing begins when we listen to these physical messages and address their root causes.