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What Causes The Feeling Of Being Watched Even While Alone?
Question: My daughter is 18. She has had a condition that I have no name for since she was 4. At first I thought it was the fear of being alone. She could not describe how she felt until she was much older. After many questions that made her uncomfortable I finally discovered that while she does not hear voices or see anyone, she has always had a feeling that an invisible person was around. That is the best way to describe it. When she was little she would not go to the bathroom by herself at school and would wet her pants so finally her teachers started sending someone with her. Of course at that time she could not describe what she was feeling because she had not learned the words yet or even that she was feeling something different than others. It's a feeling like you know someone is standing next to you and when you turn around to say hello - no one is there. Does anyone know the name of this condition? Can anyone make a suggestion?
Brief Answer:
Please read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
First possibility for her feeling of someone around could be attributed to the fact that she remains alone on most occasions while she desires of a company from near and dear ones. The condition does not have name but fairly common. For helping the child it will be appropriate if you can see a psychologist in your city. She will talk to your daughter to find out the causes for feeling so and will guide her to control these feelings. I must assure you that she may not need medication only counselling can help her appropriately.
The second possibility is paranoia. This is a condition where a person fears being watched, followed and feels someone is around there. This condition is again common and above step is recommended.
The third possibility is temporal lobe epilepsy. The onset of problem at much younger age and difficulty in describing the problem since beginning makes me to rule out temporal lobe epilepsy. This is partial epilepsy syndrome and characterised by aura of different nature. In case above two steps are not helpful visiting to a neurologist is recommended.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future, if you wish to ask any more questions, you can use the below-mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Please read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
First possibility for her feeling of someone around could be attributed to the fact that she remains alone on most occasions while she desires of a company from near and dear ones. The condition does not have name but fairly common. For helping the child it will be appropriate if you can see a psychologist in your city. She will talk to your daughter to find out the causes for feeling so and will guide her to control these feelings. I must assure you that she may not need medication only counselling can help her appropriately.
The second possibility is paranoia. This is a condition where a person fears being watched, followed and feels someone is around there. This condition is again common and above step is recommended.
The third possibility is temporal lobe epilepsy. The onset of problem at much younger age and difficulty in describing the problem since beginning makes me to rule out temporal lobe epilepsy. This is partial epilepsy syndrome and characterised by aura of different nature. In case above two steps are not helpful visiting to a neurologist is recommended.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future, if you wish to ask any more questions, you can use the below-mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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