My DD won't stop going on her phone, but when I take it away she talks to invisible people??

[Anonymous]

now I know this may sound rather peculiar, however my DH and I are becoming very concerned with her mental state, and we are considering placing her in a hospital.

[Anonymous]

What?? I would be extremely concerned. This is NOT normal and immediate treatment is for the best. I know. Trust me, I know.

[Anonymous]

Considering placing her in a hospital?

Do you live in the US? Here, there are a few steps before that.

[Anonymous]

You DO understand a hospital won't just blindly admit her just because you say she's talking to her invisible friends, right?

[Anonymous]

It is comforting to talk aloud when you are alone.

[Anonymous]

You have to start with the ER.

Maybe she’s trying to annoy you

[Anonymous]

First you start with her doctor and then a therapist OP.

[Anonymous]

You can't just "place her in a hospital".
That's not how the process of seeking care for mental health issues works.

Giving the benefit of the doubt that this is a real concerned parent not a troll, are you familiar with the US mental health care system?

If it is not a current emergency (as in you are not worried that right now or within the next several hours she is going to badly hurt herself or someone else) then you should start with an appointment with her primary care doctor to discuss your concerns.

The doctor will potentially refer her to a mental health specialist such as a psychologist to get an evaluation. Then, IF she is found to be suffering from a diagnosable mental health issue you will get a recommendation for a treatment plan. It will probably involve lots of steps to try before an inpatient hospitalization (unless things get really bad/dangerous there are usually many things tried before that point especially with kids). In this process there will be a lot of waiting, for things like provider availability & insurance approval & open appointments. Nothing will happen quickly.

If this IS an emergency, as in you think she is imminently at risk of hurting herself or someone else, you start by bringing her to the emergency room. They will do an evaluation and focus on figuring out whether she can be safely discharged home with referrals to mental health care providers or whether she needs to be admitted for a short hospital stay just to get stabilized. If she is admitted it will likely be only 3 days to a week or 2 at most and there will be a lot left to do on an outpatient basis to help her back at home.

[Anonymous]

Yeah just keep the phone away longer and she can heal. Let her know that

[Anonymous]

I think this is a troll.

[Anonymous]

You ever see people with bulging cheeks like the glands in the mouth has cause their cheeks to bulge out and they have to have their glands removed usually caused from smoking? Show her pictures of that and say this is what happens to you when your on the phone all the time. You'll look like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a troll.

Agree, Sounds trollish.

But will also say this is common among people (children and adults) with OCD as a way of managing stress or organizing/managing intrusive thoughts.