• Replies 16 replies
  • Subscribers 8 subscribers
  • Views 3392 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Autistic teen’s fantasy world mistaken for reality

NAS84245

My son (nearly 17) has autism and has been suffering depression. He’s now claiming that his depression was caused by “them” and that “they” want him to do something bad or kill himself. He tells me about aliens and pyramids etc. The thing is, I’m 100% that these are not genuine delusions, these are a fantasy creation that has got away from him and he truly believes they’re real. 
what do I do? He is so distressed. 

Parents

  • He appears torn between crying out for help and crying out to be left alone (because he believes a solution is impossible). His conspiratorial thinking - genuine or feigned - places himself either as special/chosen (this isn't vanity; instead, it's alerting to other people that he is in very real need of help) or else he finds it so daunting to speak of his self-harming tendencies that he's invented powerful outside forces to blame. In reality, he blames himself and feels guilty about this. Gentle navigation, by you, of this uncertain state of his is vital.

  • in reply to Steven

    Thank you that makes a lot of sense. I’ve been by his side through two and a half years of this journey so far. My soul has been irreparably bruised but he is still here. I will do anything to help him but I don’t know exactly what to do at this point. 

  • in reply to NAS84245

    The very best of luck to you. Slight smile

    I think that it's not the content or legitimacy or sincerity of his conspiratorial beliefs which are important - it's the fact that he feels the need to have them at all which is key. His reason(s) for that desperate need is the thing to decipher and to help him work past. 

  • in reply to Steven

    Absolutely. Thank you. I’m so glad I posted here. Parenting a child through this is horrific so any support is hugely appreciated. 

Reply Children
No Data