My poor son I am devastated.

[Imsuchamess]

My 8yo son has a psychiatrist for behaviour issues. I have scizoaffective disorder my uncle on my dad side has bipolar 1 my uncle on my mams side is scizophrenic. He broke down today crying saying the reason he is naughty is because he hears voices that tell him to be naughty.

Either he is telling the truth in which case this is all my fault.

Or he has picked up on the fact that I hear voices and it is damaging him psychologically.

Omg.

Either way it is all my fault.

Either way it isn't something you consciously caused, please don't beat yourself up about it! It does sound like it needs investigating though, maybe call his psychiatrist in the morning?

If it does turn out that he has this type of condition, then you are the best mum he could have, because you are informed about mental illness and able to recognise it and accept his difficulties.

My eldest is awaiting CAMHS assessment for three different possible mental illnesses, two of which I blame on myself (nature or nuture, either way it's on me). So I do understand the guilt.

Thank you he also doesn't socialise. I have heard him talking to himself usually when he is upset or stressed.

I'm also scared childhood scizophrenia is so rare I'm afraid that if he is hearing voices no one will listen.

I hope your right zzzzz. I'm not sure I reacted right I just hugged him and told him I loved him. I didn't question him. His behaviour worker is coming round Sunday to take him out I'll ask his advice.

IF your worst fears are recognised then the Bethlem Children's hospital out at Eden Park, West Wickham just outside London is truly amazing - fight like hell to get him referred there. They can and will help him beyond your wildest hopes - the challenge is getting him onto their books.

However at the moment you don't KNOW that it's the worst case scenario iyswim - he could just be feeling incredibly lonely and is making up an imaginary friend, needing no more support than some social scaffolding to enable him to build peer friendships. Or it could be due to something else entirely. take it one step at a time.

pm me if you ever need a shoulder to lean on.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful post.

Beautiful post zzzzz.

It is NOT your fault. Hugging him and telling him you love him was the perfect response, you sound like a wonderful mummy and whatever he's dealing with, you've got his back.

Thinking of you both.

Thank you. I've calmed down a little now.