AIBU To feel like I'm losing my sister to conspiracy theories?

[Thestreets]

My sister is a very intelligent, funny, interesting woman but recently , probably since lockdown she has been spending more and more time online and reading into conspiracy theories about the Hollywood elite and politicians and child sacrifices and all kinds of ludicrous claims.

This has utterly consumed her, you cannot have a conversation with the her that she does not turn to her trying to show some you tube video as "evidence". I'm so worried but do not know what to do as everything I say is met with "well that's what they want you to think".

[Sparticle]

YANBU - I've seen this more and more on social media, it's like a cult. Have you seen these articles on the BBC about it? Of course, those who do believe the claims will probably say that the BBC are in on it :(
www.bbc.co.uk/news/53498434
www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-53507579/qanon-coronavirus-and-the-conspiracy-cult

[Thestreets]

thats exactly what she says. That "they" own the media and will only print what they want you to believe

[ArriettyJones]

I know someone similar.

I’m sorry to say that I think only those with underlying mental illness get sucked in to that extent.

[Devlesko]

She's not entirely wrong is she?
Do you believe what the media tell you to believe or do you have a mind of your own.

[Thestreets]

I think you are right she has been smoking weed she's says due to boredom. She is in her 30s by the way and does have a full time job.

She is signed off sick at the moment as she was struggling to homeschool (single mum to 5yr old) and wfh but I guess it has more to do with sinking deeper into this cult. I'm so worried as it has seemed to completely change her personality

[GoshHashana]

Why has this become such a thing? Lockdown seems to have spawned a massive boom in a) conspiracy nuts and b) shitty hairdresser appointments.

[Loftyswops988]

I am having the exact same issue with my own mother. It's tearing us apart and no real conversations can be had as she also responds with 'thats what they want you to think' (Your post is so similar to my own mother it makes me wonder if you are my aunt!)

I'm not sure where to go from here with it, she doesn't even believe COVID exists and can't hold her tongue on her opinions in regards to masks so going anywhere with her is an absolute nightmare. I can feel myself slowly getting further and further away from her, I can only be with her on my own because I don't feel like I can put anyone else in my life through it.

No real advice sorry, but keen to see if anyone has any! I really hope it passes

[Thestreets]

@Devlesko

She's not entirely wrong is she?
Do you believe what the media tell you to believe or do you have a mind of your own.

I think there is a difference between not believing everything you read in the media and doing your own research by looking at different sources of information.

The only thing that Dsis believes is anything that remotely fits the agenda that she is following and everything else is dismissed as a cover up

[Sunbird24]

I feel for you OP!
I once blew a conspiracy theorist’s mind by telling them their favourite conspiracy (5G at the time) was started by the Russians...

[Loftyswops988]

And on top of that she also believes the Donald Trump QAnon thing - she thinks that Donald Trump is actually a good guy. It's exhausting

[ArriettyJones]

@GoshHashana

Why has this become such a thing? Lockdown seems to have spawned a massive boom in a) conspiracy nuts and b) shitty hairdresser appointments.

A lot of people don’t deal with stress very well. Patterns and hidden meaning are comforting in apparently chaotic times.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

Bloody hell that video is scary. What happened to critical thinking? It’s like 90% of people keep drinking that bloody kool aid!!!

[Thestreets]

@GoshHashana I think in Dsis case it is loneliness. By delving into this world she believes she is part of something. I suppose a sense of escapism as well

[Thestreets]

@Loftyswops988

And on top of that she also believes the Donald Trump QAnon thing - she thinks that Donald Trump is actually a good guy. It's exhausting

yep she also argues that Donald Trump us here to save us all!

[WhiteCat1704]

I have a friend who is EXCATLY like that...she also doesn't believe covid exists..
I have been worried she is having a psychotic episode as she is wierdly passionate about those theories (depopulation, mandatory vaccination, population control all somehow linked with paedophilia and 5G network and covid being made up) and it's impossible to have a normal conversation!

I didn't know it was a thing!

[Thestreets]

@Loftyswops988 Dsis also believes the government are trying to control us through fear over COVID and has refused to wear a mask in shops! We are so close and she has always been a bit against authority but this is another level. If I was to back off I would be genuinely concerned for my neice

[ByeGermsByeWorries]

My sister has been like this for a while now. She manages to turn every conversation around to these theories and what "they" are doing, who is a reptile, YouTube "evidence" etc. She can be quite aggressive if you disagree with her and she will use phrases such as "wake up" "open your eyes" "my third eye" and "sheeple" it's very distressing spending any time with her especially recently with covid she is now trying to find ways to vocally express her pride in her own non compliance and ridicule people wearing a mask etc.

[Devlesko]

She could be right OP, have you thought of that?
Not saying she is but who are you or anyone else to say she's wrong.
You can only conspire against something you know to be correct, so unless you know, how do you know she is wrong or that her opinions are conspiracy. She maybe thinks you are a conspiricist because she believes what she does to be fact. so if you think she is wrong, you must believe everything you are being told then.

[Thestreets]

@ByeGermsByeWorries how do you handle this? Were you close before? You could be writing word for word about my sister

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

One of the reason I split with ExH is because he went the same way. There is a very prevalent and manipulative right wing conspiracy movement online, the things he used to watch made me worry for his mental health. He's of course all about the SCANDEMIC now as I knew he would be

[GlummyMcGlummerson]

Sorry I can't give advice OP, you can't leave your sister like o left my husband! But there was no talking him round. It's like a cult

[Thestreets]

@Devlesko I understand people belive different things which is absolutely their right what worries me is the obsession that my sister has with proving to everyone that she is right.

And I think the majority of the population would belive I was right in thinking the Queen is not in fact a reptile!

[Loftyswops988]

I am an adult so luckily it is not as damaging as it would be if i was a child in this situation but it is still very tricky to navigate. She has no trust in doctors (as what they are taught is apparently government control), 5G fear is out of this world and she reminds us of it several times a day. She has involved other family members in the whole elite/paedophile/Donald trump thing so it feels a bit like the walls are closing in. Every time i try to diffuse I am made to feel guilty with things like 'well if you want to live in denial with your head in the sand then so be it'

[ByeGermsByeWorries]

@Thestreets I am not really sure how to handle it because every attempt at a change of subject is met with "you're just blind to it and need to open your eyes" and due to her aggression and refusal to listen simply try to avoid interacting with her. She's 43 and I'm 31 and we've never been very close but recent bereavement has forced us into contact and I remember why I try to stay away.

She's been like this for around 10 years beginning with illuminati sort of stuff and just snowballed from there until covid came along and she went wild.

Our elder brother often tries to challenge her however she simply shouts louder and becomes ever more aggressive and animated and it upsets our dad so we all try to avoid her and tend to organise things without her now.

[Twatalert]

@Loftyswops988

And on top of that she also believes the Donald Trump QAnon thing - she thinks that Donald Trump is actually a good guy. It's exhausting

Well, your sister is right. And she is probably frustrated that you can't see what is really going on in the world. You are as good as each other, really.

Perhaps take a step back if it bothers you. You can't change her mind and frankly she can think and believe what she wants. It's new to her and I think it might die down. She will still believe.. but may decide each to their own. Just get some distance and live your life.