mother seeing things that cant be true

[wwatters18]

my mother is quite frankly worrrying me. a few months back my step father called me and told me that my mom was scaring him, long story short she was seeing people outside of their home that weren't there hollering at them to get off her property. now a couple of days ago my mom asked me to look at some pictures she took outside of their home (they live on the outskirts of town by the woods). she asked me to tell her what i saw.  she told me that she saw figures in the woods. she saw people dressed in black trench coats with hoods. she also would see weapons hanging from the trees. she thinks that people are trying to destroy their property to spite my stepfathers home business. she thinks they are trying to tear down the trees and make the creek line bigger so my fathers septic tank truck will fall in the crick. she thinks that at times (usually around 5:30 am) that there up to 200 people outside and she thinks she has heard them with walkie talkies. im so scared for my mothers mental health well being. i cant believe that she is having these delusions. but she says shes never been more serious about anything in her life and she KNOWS that they are there. me nor my stepfather can convince her otherwise. what could possibly be wrong with her and how can i help my mother? she is so important to me and i love her so much, i hate this for her and im just in disbelief that this is happening.

[nursegirl6572]

It sounds as though your Mom is having psychotic episodes.  That doesn't mean she is "crazy", or will be diagnosed with schizophrenia, or other psychotic illness.  Sometimes, certain medications can cause psychotic symptoms, or even effects of certain diseases (when a diabetic's sugar gets VERY high or very low, this can happen).  

What I am saying is this is definitely something she needs evaluated for.  Understandably, she is going to be resistant and scared when you talk to her about this.  Be VERY compassionate, and approach her that you just want her to have a thorough physical, to rule out anything physical, and if needed, a consult with a psychiatrist.  If she seees a p-doc, reassure her that she won't be "locked away"...there are a lot of options out there....and they will have to look at many options for diagnosis, and treatment.  If she is completely functional in daily life, and this is a new thing for her...this can very well be managed as an outpatient with meds.

Does your Mom have ANY history of mental illness, any mental illness in her family?  How about substance/alcohol abuse?  People withdrawaling from these kinds of things often having psychotic episodes.  It could be something as simple as her doc cut a med that should be tapered that is causing these symptoms.  My main point is.....for YOU, and for your family (share this with them)...this isn't necessarily an indication of a big and bad mental illness.  Not to mention, illnesses like schizophrenia VERY commonly first surface in the late teens, early twenties.  It is very rare for a mental illness like schizophrenia to appear in the later years.

When dealing with your Mom, be VERY honest, yet caring.  Tell her, "I'm sure you see what you claim to see, you just have to understand that WE don't see it, which is why we're worried about you."  Don't discount what she is claiming to see.

Best of luck...hope it works out!

[MrGreen]

Not wanting to sound crazy myself, but did you ever do a history check of the area to see if there is anything similar accociated with the area maybe dating back in time? I know a few spiritualists who see a lot of things I don't see. If we were to committ them all on the grounds of what they claimed they could see there would be no room left in mental hospitals. Don't get me wrong here. Not saying your mother is not delusional. She may well be. But what if you said ' yes, I can see them '.? Other option would be the logical option. The doctors. For evaluation of the mind. Probably end up on some form of strong tablets. Not for anxiety. Lord help me spelling this word, schitzophrenia. I know I spelt that wrong. MedHelp might have a forum that deals with that condition. You might get better answers over there. Because that is what it sounds like if we are ruling out all normal posibilities.