DC thinks they're being controlled WTF

[frustratedgirlmum]

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!!!

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.

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.

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

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.

Stop what?

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.

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.

Wow. Just wow.

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.

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.

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.

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.