Family member sucked in by Qanon. Need advice please

TisMise

My mum has gone down the conspiracy/qanon rabbit hole. We are watching her change before us. She preaches at anyone she comes across. We try to show her stuff debunking her claims but she just keeps changing the goal posts.
I'm wondering if anyone else is affected by these theories? Anyone who did follow this but now doesn't?
Thank you.

Augme

I'm not go ng to claim to be an expert on this hit I generally find people who go down the rabbit hole on conspiracy theories do so because they have other areas of their life that they are deeply unhappy with. I've found that these anon groups give people something to latch onto and to focus their attention to and divert it away from te negative in their life. Sometimes it just even gives them something to do.

Firstly, I wouldn't waste my time trying to debunk the therapies, that's just feeding into what they get out of it - a distraction and something to occupy them.

I simply just smile and nod at her theories and always try and divert the conversation away it. Then, it's a case of looking into why she might be unhappy and what can change. Is there another hobbies you can subtly try and involve her in for example.

TisMise

Thanks for your reply Augme. It's since lockdown really as she isn't getting as much. Have tried to get her to do a few projects, family tree etc but she's busy until March researching!! I tried to make a phone apt with her gp but doc wont speak to me due to gdpr, understandable but what about duty of care esp as it's mental health related.
We'll keep trying to figure it out.
Thanks again.

LegacyUser

I don't have any experience of this personally but I read this article recently and it may be of some use, or point you in the right direction - they address the moving the goalposts issue.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/29/how-to-deal-with-a-conspiracy-theorist-5g-covid-plandemic-qanon

lazygal

Have a look at this.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brainwashing_of_My_Dad

TisMise

Thanks lazygal, I'll watch that.....

ILoveYourVibes

I think it happens when people don't have a lot of other things going on in their lives.

Or a lot of friends.

No hobbies no friends .....idle hands etc.

On your own in the house a lot ..maybe retired or not working etc.

She needs something else to put her mental energy into.

Thanks for your reply Augme. It's since lockdown really as she isn't getting as much. Have tried to get her to do a few projects, family tree etc but she's busy until March researching!! .

Yeah ....obsessive tendencies.

Is she working?

TisMise

No. She is in her mid 70's. 3 children, we phone everyday and couple of visits a week. The major change re social life is she doesn't get out to meet with others and play bridge, they play online now. She is of sound mind apart from this stuff. We have suggested other things of interest but she doesn't want to know.
From my own online research there are loads of others getting sucked into this.
Another person recommended watching The Brainwashing of my Dad. Jen Senco who wrote it, is very interesting to listen to. I just started watching on youtube tonight....this may also help anyone else going through this.

ILoveYourVibes

TisMise wrote: »

No. She is in her mid 70's. 3 children, we phone everyday and couple of visits a week. The major change re social life is she doesn't get out to meet with others and play bridge, they play online now. She is of sound mind apart from this stuff. We have suggested other things of interest but she doesn't want to know.
From my own online research there are loads of others getting sucked into this.
Another person recommended watching The Brainwashing of my Dad. Jen Senco who wrote it, is very interesting to listen to. I just started watching on youtube tonight....this may also help anyone else going through this.

I would say the best thing is to get her passionate about something else.

Idle mind ..idle hands ....its all bad.