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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 21:51:29
Ok, this one may be a little difficult. I'm not sure where to post it, don't know if it belongs in psychology, faith, relationships, parents or alternative. So.... I'll put it here.
As most of you know, I'm a Pagan, and have a slightly different view on the spirit world and such. Something slightly disturbing happened yesterday though, and I'd like some input if you guys don't mind. There's lots of good brain power and insight on this board, and I respect you all. Here's what happened.I was walking with my eleven year-old daughter yesterday. She started talking to me about 'ghosts' that she has been seeing and talking to. These 'ghosts' are all children, and they talk about kids stuff. They go away though, when other people arrive. She said that sort of scares her. More before than now though. These 'ghosts' typically arrive when she is alone.
She also spoke of having 'rituals' with some of her friends which sound more like seances to me. Three girls will sit around a light-up plastic skull and have their 'ritual'. Knowing that it's kids, and knowing that likely none of them know how to psychically protect themselves in that sort of situation, that seems to me to be one possibility of where this phenomenon may have come from.
I also gave her a journal. I asked her to write about what she talks about when she talks with these 'ghosts'. I'm trying to find out if they might be telling her to do things.
Part of what I'm scared of is that there is a history of mental illness in my family. I don't want her diagnosed with something like early onset schizophrenia though when what's going on may be spiritual.
I also don't want my very Catholic ex to go off the deep end and have an exorcism, or have her hospitalized or something right away. Consequently, I didn't mention it just yet.
So tonight, I'm going to do a ritual of protection, I'm going to have a chat with my therapist tomorrow, and I'm going to try to talk to my daughter about this frequently over the next few days to get a better idea of what's really going on.
She's eleven, and at the age where many young women become more psychically sensitive. I just haven't heard of many having conversations with multiple full-bodied solidly appearing guests. I've also asked for some help on some Pagan boards too.
Just a bit concerned right now....
Blessings,
--Dee
Posted by agent858 on March 12, 2006, at 22:01:00
In reply to Looking for some advice...., posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 21:51:29
Hey. I think it is relatively normal for kids to go through a period of having imaginary friends. And different kids have different notions of who / what they are etc. And since the advent of movies... Like the 6th sense etc... Some kids might have the notion that they are ghosts.
Does she think they are anything to do with the rituals she is having with her friends? I'm wondering because... She said she was a little scared about them... But then if she believes they are something to do with the rituals... And she keeps doing the rituals... Then I guess they aren't so scarey to her.
But I don't know. How scared does she seem to be? Or is it just that she thinks it is a little odd and that other people are likely to freak a little at the idea?
Posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 22:13:51
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice.... » deirdrehbrt, posted by agent858 on March 12, 2006, at 22:01:00
I don't think I would have been worried about imaginary friends, except that that's something I would have expected when she was younger. She's also quite social and has many real-life friends. Also, this seems qualitatively different from typical "imaginary friends", but maybe that's just my perception.
She uses the word ghost becaues these beings just disappear, and that's what seems to frighten her. My ex does let her watch movies that I wouldn't. Then again, I'm kind of a wimp and don't like scary movies anyway. I barely managed to watch Skeleton Key, and wouldn't let my 11 year-old watch that one.
Anyway, I think this is going to be an interesting event. We'll see where it goes.
Thanks,
--Dee
Posted by agent858 on March 12, 2006, at 22:21:44
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice.... » agent858, posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 22:13:51
> I don't think I would have been worried about imaginary friends, except that that's something I would have expected when she was younger.
I had some at 10 or 11. Ones that my friends shared...
'Imaginary friends' tend to take forms society legitimates...
> She uses the word ghost becaues these beings just disappear, and that's what seems to frighten her. My ex does let her watch movies that I wouldn't. Then again, I'm kind of a wimp and don't like scary movies anyway. I barely managed to watch Skeleton Key, and wouldn't let my 11 year-old watch that one.
Even if she hasn't seen the movie the notion has become part of pop culture. She has probably heard people talk about the idea before... Seen cartoons etc...
But then I guess where I'm coming from...I don't believe in ghosts.
Posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 22:29:21
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice.... » deirdrehbrt, posted by agent858 on March 12, 2006, at 22:21:44
Well, thanks for some comfort. Maybe I'm just making too much of this. Maybe it would have been different if she had mentioned some sort of imaginary friends before.
Anyway, I think it's worth exploring and keeping an eye on. She's my little girl and I'm a bit concerned. That's part of my job description though.I never had imaginary friends, so all I know about them is what I've heard.... no real experience.
Thanks for making me feel better.
--Dee
Posted by agent858 on March 13, 2006, at 1:49:24
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice...., posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 22:29:21
> Anyway, I think it's worth exploring and keeping an eye on. She's my little girl and I'm a bit concerned. That's part of my job description though.
Yes, absolutely :-)
Posted by Tanzanite on March 13, 2006, at 2:53:02
In reply to Looking for some advice...., posted by deirdrehbrt on March 12, 2006, at 21:51:29
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2006, at 19:16:57
In reply to Re: Looking for some advice.... » deirdrehbrt, posted by agent858 on March 13, 2006, at 1:49:24
Talking to your therapist about it would be a good thing. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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