Psychics

[Screamer1]

So my DM has always been a "believer". She's had a very tough upbringing, and I think for some reason it gives her comfort or answers.
Over the years she has visited them on and off.

She's recently had a pretty major health scare, which has obviously brought about a lot of self-reflection and is an opportunity to reset certain lifestyle choices. As a fmaily we've been encouraging her to find something that she enjoys doing, a new hobby, something that nourishes her and isn't about anyone else. I've offered to help her and given her lots of suggestions, but she's been very resistant - I don't know why.

Anyway, today I've just found out she's visitng a psychic again and I can't help but feel sad. Obviously I would never say don't go she clearly gets something out of it. However it's such utter clap-trap, I can't help but feel that psychics are a bunch of charlatans praying on vulnerable people (of which my mum is one). I feel like no good can come off this. It only succeeds in enhancing any fears and worries my mum has.

I'm sorry to any other believers out there, but I really think it's a quite dangerous and cruel thing.

[KidLorneRoll]

You are right to be concerned, these people are frauds of the very worst order.

Try to sit down with your mum and gently dissuade her from giving her money to a con artist.

[EdmundCleverClogs]

Why wouldn’t you say something? If anyone else was conning your vulnerable mum out of money, wouldn’t you try and stop it? Not to talk about the negative impact on her mental health these people are having on her. You can’t force her to stop, but you can give a firm and realistic point of view. She’d be far better off saving her money and putting it towards something positive in her life, a great shopping trip, an item she’s wanted for a long time, even towards a breakaway. Life is wasted trying to guess what’s going to happen next - there is no person or thing on this earth or beyond who had truly say what’s to come.

[Screamer1]

I completely agree. She knows well how I feel about it, which is why I think she hasn't told me (found out through my sister who also told her what she thinks). My mum is very strong willed and stubborn, she hates being told what to do and kicks against it.

I would so much rather she was spending her money on something more positive. It makes me so angry but I don't know what I can do to stop her or make her see that it's not a healthy thing. She takes everything personally, so if I say she would be better doing something else she will tell me that I'm always criticising her.

It's infuriating.

[araiwa]

Does she do anything based on what she is told or is it just a cheap way of talking to a stranger about her life and issues?

Its obviously all bollocks but it not always be harmful bollocks

[Screamer1]

I'm not sure Araiwa. I think stuff they say plays on her mind, which is what worries me, she puts a lot of weight in what they say.

I've offered to help find a councillor for her, which would clearly do a much more useful job. But again she was resistant.

[shutitandtidyupgitface]

I can't help but feel that psychics are a bunch of charlatans praying on vulnerable people

They are, generally. At best they are deluded fools who actually believe their own BS, but most are craven con artists on the look out for the gullible and needy to take advantage of.

There isn't anything you can do about it though.

[Screamer1]

I find it quite weird that they exist, when any other con artist would be experience legal action.

I also find it hard to be tolerant of because I find it such a stupid thing to do.

[GinnyWreckin]

Why don’t you tell her you’ve had a recurrent dream about someone who is trying to tell her lies and cheat her.
Buy a pack of tarot and do a reading for her- suggest that the things you’d like to advise her on appear in the cards.

You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

[Flowerfae]

I do believe there is 'something' and I have been involved in working with psychics. However, speaking from what I have experienced, there are very few people I have come across who I would say do have a gift and they do not make any money from it whatsoever.

The majority of 'psychic's' I see who make money from it, are just very good at reading body language and gauging the reaction of people who they are talking to.

I'm guessing its very similar with a reading and that they give out very broad information which could apply to anything (same with services where they just give out random information and people say its a message for them).

I don't know much about readings though as I have only ever had one and it was informal as it was someone I knew. She was spot on about things that I have never told anyone, and she didn't charge me for it.

I won't pay to go to see someone for a reading, I do realise people need to make a living but I think a lot of them do prey on vulnerable people.

[Zaphodsotherhead]

Could you find a friend (that your mum doesn't know) and pay her (or him) to do a 'reading'? You could feed them information and get them to advise your mum towards more 'outward looking' activities?

Massively dishonest, but then...

[Screamer1]

Ginny & Zaff, love it!

[MaidenMotherCrone]

Great, if you do as Ginny & Zaf suggest you would be deceiving your Mum just as much as the people you say are deceiving her.

You don't have to accept what your mother is doing, she is an adult and capable of making her own decisions. If she found out you had deceived her you would hurt her far more than any psychic could.

[specialsubject]

if it wasn't a con there would be credible examples under controlled conditions of successful readings.

there aren't.

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

at least religion doesn't charge.

[Flowerfae]

Ginny, good idea but if this 'psychic' has got into her head (which they probably have if she's gone back to them) then she'll probably see them as 'professional' and that if you buy a pack of tarot cards, she may think that you don't really know what your doing with them, because you haven't had experience with them (like the 'psychic' has)