Thinking that you are a signal tower for someone

I know it looks silly but one of my close relatives thinks that she is a signal tower for someone. She was a very caring and loving person and still is but she refuses to use any kind of signal emitting devices like phones.

Right now she is in her mid-60s and she is not married. She lives by her self in a remote city. We don't know what is the real reason for all this. Some times she wraps up copper coil around her arms and legs saying that "They are watching and trying to control me".

She wanted to learn a lot even during her working years. She went to IT classes and other language learning classes. As I think It would be the reason for all problems. I'm the only person she tends to talk and she refuses to see any doctors because every time someone says that she has a mental illness she gets angry.

So guys, If any of you know any kind of situation and have experience please share it with me. It'll be very helpful. And if you guys have any advice on the matter please reply.

Thank you

Why don't you ask her? Personally, I don't even know what being a signal tower for someone means. Can you explain? Does she think she's a human electronic receptor? If so, does copper block information from passing through?

I'm trying to talk with her these days but it is very hard to connect with her. I want to know information as much as possible about this condition before I talk to her. I don't want to make it worse or something. And yeah she thinks that coper can block signals.

You can't without knowing what the condition is.

Concepts like this can certainly be due to mania or psychosis, so maybe read about bipolar disorder a bit. Good stuff here on the site. Generally, if she is psychotic or even more so manic, trying to "reason" with her will likely go nowhere unless she gets treatment. One of the problems in mania is that the part of the brain that controls certainty is basically on fire. No words will convince otherwise, take it from an expert. Best of luck.

Hi, re4nightwing and welcome to Psych Central! Yes, I'm not an expert, but it sounds like she's delusional. Is she harmful to herself or others? If not, then she can't be hospitalized--nor will she be able to be talked out of it.

It's unfortunate that she won't acknowledge she needs help. All I know is to accept her like she is for the time being. Yes, you could question her about things, but be careful or she'll get defensive. And keep a close eye on her to see if she gets harmful. I'm sorry that's happened to her. You are a dear for trying to get her help.