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Original poster

DC thinks they're being controlled WTF

162 replies

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:29

Hi,
My DC who is 13 is under the impression they are being controlled by an entity inside their mind. They have not disclosed the name of this entity but lives in fear of it and says things like...

  • 'I can't do this or [the entity] will hurt me.'
  • 'I'm not safe around [the entity]'
  • 'Please help me, I'm in danger because of [the entity]
They also cycle through processes of loving and hating this entity. It all seemed to begin happening around their 13th birthday last year - they now spends huge amounts of time talking to themself (or the entity). I think this entity is like an abusive partner/something abusive; they can't remove themselves from it but has been very, very since it came into the picture. We've tried all kinds of therapy, nothing works, they don't try, refuses medication, I'm really not too sure what I'm supposed to do now. I've been worrying it could be schizophrenia or something worse and keeping myself up at night because of it but I'm just terrified to face that reality... I sometimes think I'm unreasonable for thinking that way/ Looking for advice/hand holds and also WTF!!!
OP posts:
Anonymouseposter · 31/03/2025 17:27

I used to work for CAMHS ( retired now). Schizophrenia is unusual before late teens but not unheard of. I experienced one incident of early onset schizophrenia in a 13 year old during my time there. Everyone including the psychiatrist missed it initially because it’s unusual but the child was admitted to an adolescent unit and it became clear. There could be other explanations related to trauma etc but a thorough assessment is needed and I would push for a second opinion from another psychiatrist. I hope this is a transient thing which resolves but if it’s a more serious mental illness early diagnosis and treatment is needed.

Senchild · 31/03/2025 17:25

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:22

@MJSavesTheDay We can afford private, and NHS waiting lists are quite long.

I understand this. If you can though look for a doctor who also practices in the nhs and if things get too much go to a and e to immediately access nhs help

Castlereagh · 31/03/2025 17:24

How frightening for you and DC. Sometimes a voice can be a manifestation of their own inner voice even if it seems to be going against what they would want, I wonder if this is an acutely anxious child with some history of trauma. I wouldn't do anything else without a trusted respected psychiatrist advising you, if you go private make sure they've got a current or recent history of working in the public sector in uk with adolescents. Also wean her off tiktok if she is on it.

overthinkersanonnymus · 31/03/2025 17:23

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:17

@overthinkersanonnymus They do. There is ALOT of concern from people/peers about this situation.

Ok If that’s the case and what you’re saying is being witnessed by other people, including medical professionals, then they are letting you both down and she probably needs to be in hospital.

What you have described is a very, very unwell person and I speak from experience.

I wish you luck in getting her treatment.

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:22

@MJSavesTheDay We can afford private, and NHS waiting lists are quite long.

OP posts:
MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 17:20

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:19

She does generally suffer in isolation and pretend nothing is wrong but as her mother I can see something is up. Over the last few months it's like observing a different person. She's gone from seeming okay (even if a bit quiet) to petrified, anxious and fearful.

I really feel for you OP.

Is there a reason she is not under an NHS mental health service?

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:19

She does generally suffer in isolation and pretend nothing is wrong but as her mother I can see something is up. Over the last few months it's like observing a different person. She's gone from seeming okay (even if a bit quiet) to petrified, anxious and fearful.

OP posts:
redphonecase · 31/03/2025 17:18

This should get him reasonably swift access to an NHS psychiatrist - it is very concerning. Has that happened, and if not why not?

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:17

@overthinkersanonnymus They do. There is ALOT of concern from people/peers about this situation.

OP posts:
overthinkersanonnymus · 31/03/2025 17:15

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:08

@MJSavesTheDay It was due to a phobia I don't particularly want to go into that she still possesses. That was what most of the therapy was for.
Then, I had a (fairly brutal) divorce.
She's had some other traumas I'd prefer not to go into but that's most of what the therapy was for.

Well you said she’d never had any trauma earlier?

sounds more like Munchausen syndrome and attention seeking. Most people with paranoid schizophrenia who exhibit these symptoms are petrified and either suffer in isolation or will do anything to make it stop, not talk about it in snippets. I’m assuming no one at school has had any feedback of talking to herself?

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:13

@Organic82 Sorry, I misspoke. I know she's friendly with people but she doesn't have any close relationships etc. Only child so no siblings. She has a few hobbies.

OP posts:
Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:12

@Organic82 I pretty much force her go to school but when she's off for whatever reason she misses quite a few days at a time. She has no friendships.

OP posts:
Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:12

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:11

@Organic82 No. We've had incidents with it that I, again, would really not rather go into and every teacher in the school as well as her classmates are aware of it because it's pretty much been a descent into this.

But she continues to attend every day or a school refuser?

any siblings? Friends?

any hobbies or extra curricular at all?

MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 17:11

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:08

@MJSavesTheDay It was due to a phobia I don't particularly want to go into that she still possesses. That was what most of the therapy was for.
Then, I had a (fairly brutal) divorce.
She's had some other traumas I'd prefer not to go into but that's most of what the therapy was for.

Sounds like you've both been through a lot in her short life. I really feel for you and I feel massively for your daughter. Trauma can play out in complex ways and your daughter's entity may well be trying to keep her safe and act as a way for her to.process her trauma.

Your daughter is showing v v serious symptoms OP and my advice would be to absolutely make sure she is under a good quality child&adolescent mental health service and that she has a care plan and is seen regularly by a qualified, NHS, child&adolescent psychiatrist.

Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:11

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:10

@Organic82 No. Alone in her room. She is not 'trying on' a behaviour and I think it's a little crazy to suggest such a thing. If you were to see DC I guarantee you would see evidence that she is not 'trying on' anything.

And what about school? What’s her absence rate like? Friendships? Presumably you have had extensive interaction with the school

or… does this entity scarper during school hours?

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:11

@Organic82 No. We've had incidents with it that I, again, would really not rather go into and every teacher in the school as well as her classmates are aware of it because it's pretty much been a descent into this.

OP posts:
Toastandjam16 · 31/03/2025 17:11

Also wondering if this treatment has come via CAMHS. I worked for a CAMHS years ago, not in a clinical role, but I can tell you that this type of thing isn't unheard of. They should be able to draw on expertise to treat it. Whether they have any capacity to bring parents together for support I don't know and that would be much more difficult, but from my experience you won't be the only parents in a comparable position.

Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:10

@Organic82 No. Alone in her room. She is not 'trying on' a behaviour and I think it's a little crazy to suggest such a thing. If you were to see DC I guarantee you would see evidence that she is not 'trying on' anything.

OP posts:
Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:10

She’s obviously keeping a lid on this “entity” at school op

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 17:10

@loropianalover
We're doing private which is why we're looking for one.

OP posts:
Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:09

they now spends huge amounts of time talking to themself (or the entity)

or online, correct?

MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 17:09

I have to say OP, and I know you are probably stressed, and I really feel for you and especially for your daughter, but I don't think my reaction to my child experiencing such significant and worrying symptoms would be "wtf", it would be more 'what the hec can I do, I'm so so worried sick about them"

Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:08

I would guess she’s read online about this behaviour and is trying it on at home

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