DSis and conspiracy theories

[Cauliflowersandcaterpillars]

DSis has a long history of becoming passionate about a cause (usually involving animal rights), posting lots on social media, circulating petitions etc, until it fizzles out and she takes up another cause. She's never taken much interest in politics or world affairs.

Last year she took up a political cause and since then she has started believing in various conspiracy theories. Some of what she now seems to believe is quite outlandish. A couple of weeks ago she told us that if she disappears or dies suddenly it will be because "they" have got her.

A couple of family members are very worried about her mental health, but others think this is just the latest cause and will blow over.

She has a good job, but has been WFH since lockdown, so she doesn't have work colleagues who would notice anything. Her social media is bizarre but I think most people muted her a long time ago; no-body seems to interact with her.

At what point should we, her family become worried?

Hey op, she's an adult so I'm not sure there's much you can do? Can you try and get her to a gp appointment?

No she thinks she "understands" things and we are stupid / naive for not "understanding" the truth.

She's often been this intense before about causes such as banning animals from circuses, or supporting donkey sanctuaries, or not eating veal or lamb, etc etc. Some of the family think this is just more of the same, and we should just smile and nod till she moves onto the next thing, as she always has before.

But some of the things she believes now are very odd. For example she thinks that the secret service are using Facebook memes to communicate, and that she has deciphered some of the true meanings of jokes about e.g. potholes.

What I'd like advice about is - should we be worried? Or should we regard this as the latest cause?

Everything else about her life seems normal.

Maybe she's got an addictive personality?

I know someone who was obsessed with conspiracy theories about covid. I also know someone who's a flat earther! I mean the earth 🌎 is obviously round!!!! But again both lead normal lives. So, if its not affecting her every day life I wouldn't worry too much.

How old is she? Has she been under stress recently? Are any of her beliefs persecutory in nature? Like does she believe people are ‘out to get her’?

how would she feel about going to her GP to talk through some of these ideas? Might be helpful if you go with her.

my brother had a psychotic breakdown some years ago. His beliefs were quite odd but become persecutory just before his breakdown.

She's in her 50s. She has been under stress, but not more so than usual.

She's only once said that she thinks she might be on a hit list because she knows stuff that most people don't know.

She definitely wouldn't go to her GP. She has been describing people who don't know "the truth" as stupid and naive.