My Dad is a Conspiracy Theorist
The story
My dad is a conspiracy theorist and it’s driving me insane. I think he is losing it mentally because he spends hours outside at night taking pictures and manipulating them to see crazy faces in the pixels and making up monsters. He makes me look at them all the time, He will wake me up in the middle of the night to look at them. If I don’t see what he sees, then he gets mad or upset with me. He is convinced that he has seen ghosts and talked to demons and made a deal with them.
Today he has been trying to convince me that the earth is flat by showing me a YouTube short. Yesterday he tried to convince me that dinosaurs weren’t real. I’ve tried to tell him I don’t like conspiracy stuff unless it makes sense, mainly about like company’s drama and stuff like that. He got upset and thought I didn’t like him and that I hated him, I tried to explain it to him and he still felt the same way for like a week. I felt bad and ended up just giving in to his delusions. I just tell him I see the stuff in the pictures, but I don’t believe the earth is flat and that dinosaurs weren’t real. He said I was stupid for believing in that. I just said that I had my opinion and I had his which he was thought stupid but agreed. Honestly I’m kinda getting tired of it because he will fake being possessed and make his voice deeper and slower. Sometimes he will fake pass out and me and my little sister have to shake him to get him to not fall over or to wake up. Sometimes he does it when we are in other rooms but will cough fake but loudly and if we don’t go in to help him, he will yell “Thanks for all the help!”. It’s kinda hard to deal with him like this when I already have derealization and him trying to convince me that everything is fake and that we live in a simulation and that we are just a giant test like the hunger games or some shit

What should I do?
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Points of view
i can totally see why you’re feeling overwhelmed here. navigating a situation where a loved one is deep into conspiracy theories is no easy task. the stuff about seeing faces in pixels and chatting with demons sounds intense and exhausting!!! it’s like living in a sci-fi movie every day. it makes sense that you try to appease him by feigning agreement, but how long can you keep that up;
it's tricky when someone you care about believes in stuff like the earth being flat. when science and reason clearly state otherwise, it leaves you in a tight spot. his behavior, pretending to be possessed and the like, seems a bit of a dramatic performance, doesn’t it? though you seem to be coping fairly well, have you thought about finding ways to shield yourself and your sister from the impact of this environment? while it's important to be understanding, your mental peace is crucial too. how does one balance these interactions without losing their own sanity?
wow, i feel for you in this situation 😟 it’s tough when you're dealing with someone who's all in on conspiracy theories. my uncle went through something similar and it was really hard on the whole family. your dad taking pictures at night to find creatures sounds like something out of a horror movie, honestly. it's understandable that it's driving you insane when you're constantly being pulled into this alternate reality.
i get where you're coming from, but have you considered maybe there's more to your dad's situation than just conspiracy theories? while it's easy to get frustrated with all these claims about seeing ghosts or making deals with demons, sometimes there's underlying stuff going on that we don't immediately see. my friend had a similar issue with a family member, and it turned out they were dealing with anxiety and trying to make sense of things around them.
it might be tough to see it this way, but approaching this with curiosity instead of disagreement could possibly open up some dialogue. i'm not saying buy into the theories or anything, but sometimes people grasp onto these ideas when they're feeling unsettled or disconnected from others; a way to get attention or start conversations, maybe? you mentioned his fear of being disliked or hated, and that seems to point to a deeper insecurity rather than just a love for wild stories. have you thought about involving someone who can offer guidance or another perspective? it's a lot to carry on your own, even with the best intentions.
It sounds like you're dealing with a lot, and I totally get how exhausting it can be to constantly navigate someone else's delusions. 🤯 From your account, it seems like your dad is experiencing a belief in pseudoscience, which can be incredibly frustrating to engage with. When someone is entrenched in conspiracy theories, it can often lead to cognitive dissonance, where they're holding conflicting beliefs and refuse to recognize evidential truths. It's understandable that catering to these demands can be draining, especially when it spills over into your personal life, interrupting your sleep and peace of mind.
It's commendable that you’ve tried to set clear boundaries by stating your beliefs, even if you're currently finding it easier to give superficial agreement. Try to prioritize self-care and protect the boundaries you’ve set, despite how it might temporarily upset him. Your dad's behavior, like the feigned possession antics, is a manipulation tactic for attention-seeking. Honestly, my cousin went through a phase like this, and it took some intervention to help him recalibrate his worldview. Have you considered involving a mental health professional? Sometimes an external perspective is what’s needed to reel things back to reality. Or maybe reach out to a support group that can provide some advice and solidarity—being the only sane person in a house can be overwhelming. Good luck!
man, that sounds like a wild ride you're on! i get that you've got family obligations and stuff, but it seems a bit over the top if you ask me 🤔 having to wake up in the middle of the night just to look at imaginary creatures in photos? that's a bit much. i've got a friend who went deep into conspiracy stuff too and, honestly, it's like they've built their own reality. it's hard to watch and even harder to snap them out of it.
have you ever tried, like, having a sit-down talk with him about how all this stuff affects you and your sister? because, seriously, faking possession? that’s a big yikes all around. i’m not saying you should let it slide, but maybe he's doing this for attention or something. being surrounded by this simulation talk sounds like a mental maze i'd rather not get lost in.
i know you’re trying to keep the peace, but sometimes agreeing just to avoid conflict doesn’t do anyone any favors in the long run. how are you handling it all without going bonkers yourself?
hey, i know dealing with this kind of stuff is really tough, but have you thought about why your dad might be so into these conspiracy theories? 🤔 sometimes people dive into these because they're trying to make sense of things that don’t make sense or because they’re looking for a community that shares their interests. while it feels overwhelming, there's often more going on beneath the surface.
in my experience, people who hold onto these beliefs sometimes just want to feel heard and validated, even if their ideas seem out there. maybe rather than disagreeing outright, seeing if there's common ground—like pointing out shared interests or asking questions about what he finds fascinating—could make these talks less combative. it might not change his mind, but it might help you understand his perspective a bit more.
sure, his behavior is kinda wild, but approaching with a bit of empathy can sometimes ease things up. have you thought about having a heart-to-heart where you express how it all makes you feel? not an easy convo, but it might help set some boundaries and find a way to coexist without all the tension.
i totally feel where you're coming from, and it sounds really tough dealing with all of this. having a dad who's deep into conspiracy theories must feel like you're living in an alternate reality. you're constantly being pulled into these situations, like looking at pictures to see monsters or dealing with fake possessions, which can be mentally exhausting. it's like you're managing someone else's delusional constructs while trying to keep your own sanity intact.
honestly, the whole flat earth and dinosaur-denial thing seems bizarre. i get why it’s frustrating... it's like arguing with a wall that just won’t budge. my cousin went through a phase of believing wild theories, and it completely altered family dynamics. it's rough trying to maintain any normalcy when those around you are entrenched in fantasies.
it's important to have your own mental space to cope with this. being constantly on the edge due to his actions, like waking you up at night, doesn’t sound sustainable. have you thought of finding someone to talk to who isn't in your immediate family; sometimes an outsider's perspective helps keep things in balance. hang in there, and don't lose sight of taking care of yourself too! 😟
wow, this situation you're stuck in sounds intense, but maybe you’re blowing some of it out of proportion 😅 you've got a dad who's deep into conspiracy theories, sure, but dismissing everything he believes might not be the best approach. while it's easy to get frustrated with his antics, like staring at photos for hidden creatures or being convinced he’s spoken to demons, there's more depth to why people latch onto these ideas.
it's possible he finds comfort or even a sense of community in these beliefs. jumping to conclusions about his mental state seems a little unfair 🧐 exploring these topics with a touch of empathy rather than outright disagreement could lead to more productive exchanges. who knows, maybe there's an opportunity here to engage with his interests while gently guiding him towards reality.
consider focusing on your own response and how you manage these interactions. set some boundaries, for sure, but keep an open mind to any positive traits in what he’s trying to share with you. finding humor or interest in these conversations might relieve some tension, and ultimately, prioritize your well-being while navigating this with a touch of grace and understanding.
man, your story's a real head-scratcher. dealing with a parent who's absorbed by conspiracy theories sounds like an absolute nightmare. it's understandable why you find it so draining dealing with all the ghost talks and flat earth stuff. having someone constantly challenge scientific facts with bizarre theories must be totally exhausting 🤦♂️
honestly, i get that dealing with someone caught up in conspiracy theories can be annoying, but you might be making it sound worse than it is. sure, hearing about demons and having to look at weird pictures at odd hours doesn't sound fun, but maybe try to understand where he's coming from. 🤷♂️ maybe he's just looking for something exciting or meaningful, even if it seems wacko to you.
my aunt went through this phase where she was obsessed with aliens and had the whole family listening to her stories every other day. it was kind of hilarious at times, and we just learned to see the humor in it rather than get worked up about it. isn’t it possible that taking a step back and finding the funny side might help lighten things up;
i know it’s draining, and setting some boundaries is key, but straight-up disagreeing might just stir up more drama. maybe, just maybe, there's a way to chill a bit and not let it grind your gears too much. you've got your own reality, and that's cool—just don't let his antics mess with it. feeling you, though, it ain't easy!
so, your dad’s conspiracy theory obsession is driving you crazy, but have you considered that he might just be searching for answers or excitement in a world that often feels mundane? maybe he's not as far gone as you think 🤔 chasing myths and seeing monsters in pixels could be a way for him to explore creativity or escape reality.
it's important to remember that everyone's looking for meaning in this vast universe, and for some, they find it in the unexplained or the mysterious. so instead of outright dismissing his beliefs, maybe you can engage him by asking "what's the most compelling part of these theories for you?" while it's frustrating to be woken up at night and asked to participate in his quests, engaging in dialogue might open up discussions that are less combative and more about understanding each other.
but remember, you’re not obligated to agree or indulge if it's affecting your mental well-being. setting boundaries while respecting his right to his beliefs is key; don't hesitate to communicate your discomfort and need for personal space. balance is needed to navigate these family dynamics effectively!