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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:
Original poster
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.

OP posts:
loropianalover · 31/03/2025 17:07

what reasons does the therapist have and what did previous psychiatrist(s) have to say? You mentioned on page 1 DD had intervention from therapists and psychiatrist - what was the reason for the psych not suggesting medication(s)? Are you looking privately for a psychiatrist or has your GP referred you? Has your child ever been hospitalised or attended A&E for this issue?

I am also wondering re. exposure therapy and being in therapy nearly her whole life.

Mmhmmn · 31/03/2025 17:06

Take DC to the GP. It needs to be (clinically) investigated. Poor child.

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 31/03/2025 17:02

Adhd isit her own mind questioning herself my comcerta stops mine

overthinkersanonnymus · 31/03/2025 17:02

If she hasn’t had any trauma why is she having EMDR and what exposure therapy is she receiving, as in exposure to what?

None of this makes any sense as you’re saying she doesn’t have a diagnosis, so what exactly are these therapies supposed to be treating?

I find it really hard to believe that for a year your child has shown significant progress in to paranoid schizophrenia and no medical professionals have ever intervened.

alwaysdeleteyourcookies · 31/03/2025 17:01

maw1681 · 31/03/2025 16:40

They need to see a psychiatrist, they can’t just refuse medication if they need it, they’re 13! It does sound like it could be schizophrenia so really does need to be diagnosed and treated properly

Agree. It sounds like my friend with paranoid schizophrenia. Medication really helps. Good luck finding some help for your daughter. I feel for her.

MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 16:59

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:58

@loropianalover She's currently with a therapist, who suggested a psychiatrist. We're currently looking for a new psychiatrist and hope to find one ASAP.
The entity seems much more violent than something such as an inner critic or an internal voice, from what I can observe. It's probably more of a hallucination-related situation by extent.

Are you under CAMHS? Or have you been sourcing all this support privately??

TonictheHedgehog · 31/03/2025 16:59

You say this particular issue has been happening since her 13th birthday but your list of therapies has been going on for much longer (“normal therapy for pretty much her whole life”). What were the earlier issues?

MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 16:58

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:52

@loropianalover It doesn't approve of most things, e.g if she does badly on a test she will be 'punished' somehow by the voice (I have no idea what this means to be honest.)
We've tried the following -

  • Equine therapy, done for ~2 years
  • 'Normal' therapy, pretty much for her whole life
  • Coaching, done for about a year and a half
  • Art therapy, done for a few months
  • Play therapy, done for roughly a year
  • CBT, a year and a half
  • EMDR, 6 months
  • Exposure therapy, ~a year
+ I could go on, but these are the ones we've spent a bigger portion of time on. Interventions made by the GP, former therapists, doctors, school, teachers and coaches, as well as psychiatrist. She refused ADHD medication prescribed by her doctor as well as other sickness related medicines like antibiotics etc.

You said the entity has been there for a year, but all this therapy implies your child has had issues for years and years.

When did their problems first arise?

All this therapy by such a young age absolutely implies a trauma history. Has your child been through some scary events/domestic violence/sexual abuse?

In adults (particularly in the 18-24 age group) with these symptoms, family therapy would be (or should be) offered as standard. In kids these symptoms are much rarer, but family therapy should also be offered. Have you been offered that yet?

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:58

@loropianalover She's currently with a therapist, who suggested a psychiatrist. We're currently looking for a new psychiatrist and hope to find one ASAP.
The entity seems much more violent than something such as an inner critic or an internal voice, from what I can observe. It's probably more of a hallucination-related situation by extent.

OP posts:
loropianalover · 31/03/2025 16:55

@frustratedgirlmum thanks for that info and sorry to hear all you are going through. Is DD currently under the care of a psychiatrist, what do they say about DD’s symptoms, do you ever get to speak with them alone?

Is there a chance that this entity is actually DD’s own inner voice and she is confused? Does she feel she is hearing things/having audible hallucinations? Or that she has an inner critic? Has the psychiatrist ever weighed in on this?

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:53

@MJSavesTheDay Well, they suggested therapy/putting plans in place with the school/medication however nothing has exactly worked yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:52

@loropianalover It doesn't approve of most things, e.g if she does badly on a test she will be 'punished' somehow by the voice (I have no idea what this means to be honest.)
We've tried the following -

  • Equine therapy, done for ~2 years
  • 'Normal' therapy, pretty much for her whole life
  • Coaching, done for about a year and a half
  • Art therapy, done for a few months
  • Play therapy, done for roughly a year
  • CBT, a year and a half
  • EMDR, 6 months
  • Exposure therapy, ~a year
+ I could go on, but these are the ones we've spent a bigger portion of time on. Interventions made by the GP, former therapists, doctors, school, teachers and coaches, as well as psychiatrist. She refused ADHD medication prescribed by her doctor as well as other sickness related medicines like antibiotics etc.
OP posts:
MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 16:51

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:45

she’s met with a GP, doctors, therapist etc.

What have the GP and doctors suggested?

I hope one of the doctors was a Psychiatrist and one was a Psychologist and both were under CAMHS. If not, that's what you need to be asking for asap.

It's unlikely she would be diagnosed with a serious mental disorder at this age. It is possible the Psychiatrist and Psychologist are monitoring to establish if the 'entity' is of a psychosis type or more of a personality trait manifestation.

Although you may want a diagnosis, it's unlikely to be helpful at this age. What is more helpful is understanding the origin of the entity/voices, thinking about environmental contributors and any trauma or outside abuse (not suggesting anyone in your family has abused your child - but you need to consider trauma that could have arisen anywhere/elsewhere and allow your child ample opportunity to raise it in case this is the case), possibly ruling out medical causes (such as tumors, brain abnormalities etc..) ...

You really do need to make sure your child is seeing the right professionals and that you are fully aware of which professionals they have seen and what their care plan is.

Senchild · 31/03/2025 16:48

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:46

@Senchild Yes, medication for other things, not related to this specific thing.

Just be prepared as we had an issue with vaccines and medication that if a gp or any dr thinks the child can make a decision they can refuse anything even at 13

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:47

@paintedpotoflove Yep, pretty long history on both sides of the family, particularly mine. This is why I consider schizophrenia to be a possibility.

OP posts:
loropianalover · 31/03/2025 16:47

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:41

@MJSavesTheDay She hasn’t because we check everything and she doesn’t usually go out anyway.
@loropianalover It stops them from doing most things it doesn’t approve of, at least that’s what I’m thinking. They eat ok and exercise probably on the lower side but internet access is very heavily monitored.

What does it not approve of? Can you also clarify the types of therapies tried and for how long, and what psychiatric interventions have been made?

You also said child refuses medication, but followed up that medication options have not been given to you as there’s no diagnosis yet, what medications did child refuse and who were these prescribed by?

wishing you the best OP.

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:46

@Senchild Yes, medication for other things, not related to this specific thing.

OP posts:
Senchild · 31/03/2025 16:46

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:45

she’s met with a GP, doctors, therapist etc.

Can you see a different gp? Might be worth a second opinion . I hope you can see someone who will help Flowers

Senchild · 31/03/2025 16:46

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:42

@maw1681 The possibility of medication hasn’t been presented to us before because we haven’t been able to get a diagnosis so far. But yes I will make them take it if the possibility is given to us.

You said in the op that she has refused medication?

paintedpotoflove · 31/03/2025 16:45

Op I have no advice but I didn’t want to read and run.

is there a history of mental illness in the family?

such a worry for you

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:45

she’s met with a GP, doctors, therapist etc.

OP posts:
Senchild · 31/03/2025 16:44

maw1681 · 31/03/2025 16:40

They need to see a psychiatrist, they can’t just refuse medication if they need it, they’re 13! It does sound like it could be schizophrenia so really does need to be diagnosed and treated properly

13 year olds can refuse treatment- I found this out when my ds refused a vaccination

Original poster
frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:42

@maw1681 The possibility of medication hasn’t been presented to us before because we haven’t been able to get a diagnosis so far. But yes I will make them take it if the possibility is given to us.

OP posts:
MJSavesTheDay · 31/03/2025 16:42

frustratedgirlmum · 31/03/2025 16:41

@MJSavesTheDay She hasn’t because we check everything and she doesn’t usually go out anyway.
@loropianalover It stops them from doing most things it doesn’t approve of, at least that’s what I’m thinking. They eat ok and exercise probably on the lower side but internet access is very heavily monitored.

Have they seen a qualified mental health professional via CAMHS?

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