DC thinks they're being controlled WTF

Your original post literally says ‘sounds more like munchausens syndrome’ - unless you’re referring to the parent/OP, in which case I assume you meant fabricated/induced illness seeing as the language has all been updated in the last few years. But even still if that’s the case, it’s a massive thing to suggest for anyone and frankly irresponsible to do so based on an online forum’s worth of posts - unless you’re a consultant psychiatrist specialising in this, in which case I apologise.

This thread is ridiculous. OP, go and see a real
doctor.

That sounds exactly like schizophrenia but even if it isn’t, you need to get help for your child from the psychosis early intervention team ASAP. Ring 111 and let them know what is happening. Talk to the crisis team and ask for an urgent referral to early intervention.

OP, I agree with others that therapist can't help you here - you need an urgent referral to a CAMHS psychiatrist. Many years ago I helped set up an early psychosis detection service which was precisely aimed at teenagers experiencing symptoms that could be pointing to current or future psychosis. This is the sort of thing you need, good luck.

Probably not helpful but it could be a lot worse - your DC is communicating and has insight.

My brother has paranoid schizophrenia.

Started with voices then withdrawal then catatonia and psychosis, over about ten years until his early mid 20s. Has never been resectioned since and he's okay.

Early intervention has better results apparently.

Wow. Just wow.

Hi op,

I understand your concern with nhs waiting lists but as pp have said symptoms such as these would be fast tracked. For children I have worked with I have called their GP stating they are in crisis. They have then received a call and appointment with camhs within a couple of days. More recently after a GP appointment one child was referred for assessment as urgent and was seen in two weeks, this was for a much milder concern of anxiety and depression. The NHS and CAMHS can have crazy long waiting lists but in my experience they are amazing in crisis situations and don’t hang around. Call her GP tomorrow and say she is in crisis, she’s hearing voices that are telling her what to do and she is at risk of serious harm. You should see someone within the week.

Genuinely not trying to be insensitive or downplay the situation at all. But does your child have unrestricted internet access? There are some dark fucked up communities on there, tiktok etc included. Through school I saw other kids be convinced that they have multiple personalities, identifying as animals... Perhaps this isn't the case but please do not underestimate the influence of social media users on a 13 year old. Especially if this seemingly came out of the blue.

Stop what?

I would go through the NHS with this, as pp have said for a child with these symptoms you would not have a long wait. There are also a lot of neurological tests and blood tests that should be done.

Also to add this must be really hard for you OP, I really feel for you and I admire the efforts you appear to be putting in to help

Apologies if this has already been asked @frustratedgirlmum but I can’t see an update from you that answers my question -
Why do you flip between calling your DC they/them and she/her? Is there a reason for that? Does your DC identify as a gender different to that they were born as? Not being nosey, just trying to delve into their/her psyche and see what other issues are at play.

I am becoming very concerned about this thread. It is starting to elicit unhelpful posts trying to guess at diagnoses and recommend how you approach things with your child. None of us know exactly what's behind this. I would focus all your efforts on pushing the GP and CAMHS to expedite the referral. I would be badgering the school to also push. In the meantime just keep things as calm and quiet for your child as possible. Until you know what you're dealing with it's unhelpful for people to be offering advice. CAMHS have the infrastructure around them and a multi disciplinary team. Your child needs to be seen by a psychiatrist. They may get an initial assessment from another member of the team but a psychiatric assessment is needed.

OP, I get that you are worried but you really really need to get your DD seen by a psychiatrist who is experienced with adolescents.

She is a child and you have a duty of care to get her seen properly by her GP and/or an NHS early intervention service.

Anything else is bordering neglectful.

Why are you avoiding her GP? Are you hoping that you can avoid this going on her medical records?

I am concerned re the quality of the therapy she has received so far because every single one of those therapists should have asked you to get her assessed by her GP and psychiatry.

I think a psychiatrist would certainly advise meds for a child who is hearing voices. It's possible, OP, that she may now feel so unsafe that she will be prepared to try medication to alleviate her immense anxiety?

@frustratedgirlmum im just watching these together Eleanor longden TED talk again and I think it could be frightening for a 13 year old to watch, but could be helpful for you in terms of helping to normalise and understand her experience (now or at some point in the future)

I'm so sorry, you must be terribly worried 😞 I think you need to find a psychiatrist who specialises in treatment of adolescents urgently. Keep a close eye on your daughter for any escalation of symptoms as paranoid schizophrenia, if that's what you suspect, can result in a crisis situation. If you fear for her safety, or yours, call 999. There is also the option of 111 and asking for the mental health crisis team if you're worried but not in danger. Do you have support from family or close friends? This is a lot for you to deal with on your own.

You've posted before haven't you? Quite recently?

It would be helpeful to see the information in those posts to get the full picture and make sure nothing is missed.

Stop it.

Highly unlikely, but not completely impossible. So unlikely that there's a danger of it being missed.

She absolutely needs to see a psychiatrist as a precaution. You’ve said that she asks for help and seems afraid. How does she respond to the idea of receiving professional help to deal with “the entity?” Is she willing, or does she suddenly clam up and not want any part of it?

Having worked with this age group a great deal, I’ve seen this more than you’d think. Including an 11 year-old girl that started talking about an “entity” that was controlling her.

Get her into a psychiatrist as soon as possible, but hold off panic until they have evaluated her and raised concerns.

I read about something called avatar therapy for people who hear voices. Seems like it might be quite helpful to a lot of people. Maybe look into it?

www.theguardian.com/science/2024/oct/28/using-avatars-in-psychosis-therapy-can-help-those-who-hear-voices-study-finds

Yes to all of this.

Highly unlikely to be schizophrenia at the age of 13. I would guess it's some sort of dissociation. Common post trauma. I hope your daughter is ok this must be very stressful for you both

@frustratedgirlmum I’m also just thinking that I know that it can be an enormous wait for an appt with a psychiatrist within CAMHS if a child is not at risk of hurting self or other; so you may wish to pursue this privately. I’m also wondering whether you might be able to access an “early intervention in psychosis” team - who often work with 14 plus I think. They would do their own assessment and signpost as needed and I believe waiting times can be shorter

Your child needs to see a psychiatrist asap.