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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 16:53

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

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 16:58

@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:
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?

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 16:59

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??

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.

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.

Fluffypotatoe123987 · 31/03/2025 17:02

Adhd isit her own mind questioning herself my comcerta stops mine

Mmhmmn · 31/03/2025 17:06

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

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.

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:
Organic82 · 31/03/2025 17:08

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

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 17:09

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

or online, correct?

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 17:10

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

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

This reply has been deleted

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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.

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:
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?

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 17:12

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?

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: