View Full Version : Panic mode, 12 year old daughter complaing of occasional double vision
Hi, I'm in a state of intense panic at the moment. My 12 yo daughter has informed me that she is having occasional double vision. She says it lasts for a couple of minutes and happens maybe once a fortnight. She is a worried like me and I'm trying so hard to cover my anxiety over this. I feel s ick with fear. I have flu atm and feel dreadful. My daughter is off school today with an upset stomach. Can anyone relate to this please? Has anyone's child experienced this and it been ok. Please no scary stories or I will definitely have a massive break down
---------- Post added at 11:22 ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 ----------
Someone please speak to me about this
Once every two weeks for a couple of minutes? There's really too little go on (time of day?...any events leading to it etc.) but what stuck out to me is that she's a worrier like you. I wouldn't be panicking but I would speak to her GP and get advice.
Positive thoughts
Hi, she is quite vague about it, just now and again and she says that when it happens she doesn't always see the double image on everything. My eldest daughter is taking her to the opticians just now for an eye test. I couldn't take her because I'm struggling to keep it together. I'm ashamed of myself!! She is a worker and does have anxiety issues but don't think that would cause double vision.
Thank you for your reply, just need some sense talked into me.
---------- Post added at 16:12 ---------- Previous post was at 12:50 ----------
Nobody relate to this???
Could it be migraines? Or even something as simple as her needing glasses?
Let us know how the appointment turns out. Good that you took immediate steps right away! Remember any kind of a serious cause is rare - try to stay positive
Hi thanks for your reply, the eye test turned out fine, perfect vision and nothing that was cause for concern, they did say it could be caused by tiredness.
For just now I'm gonna keep a check on it and if it worsens or other symptoms occur I will take her to the gp.
MyNameIsTerry
04-05-16, 23:24
Perhaps examine when it happens to see if there is a common minor factor causing it. For instance, had she been looking at a tiny phone screen for ages?
Nicholebear
04-05-16, 23:45
Happens to me sometimes I'm farsighted and when I try to read things on my phone without my glasses my eyes tend to get tired and I see slight double vision or ghosting around bright objects against dark backgrounds.
---------- Post added at 17:45 ---------- Previous post was at 17:44 ----------
So your daughter might be slightly farsighted, maybe get her a pair of reading glasses she can use with her phone or computer
MyNameIsTerry
04-05-16, 23:58
Happens to me sometimes I'm farsighted and when I try to read things on my phone without my glasses my eyes tend to get tired and I see slight double vision or ghosting around bright objects against dark backgrounds.
---------- Post added at 17:45 ---------- Previous post was at 17:44 ----------
So your daughter might be slightly farsighted, maybe get her a pair of reading glasses she can use with her phone or computer
If it's a screen issue then it introduces questions about screen brightness, room darkness in contrast to the screen lighting, etc. There must be filters to attach or maybe the download apps but just fiddling with lighting may help.
Maybe even posture should be considered? Neck ache, for instance.
Hi, she had her eyes checked out yesterday and everything is absolutely fine so it's not sight related. She does tend to look at her phone/tablet a lot. She crochets a lot so is always looking up patterns. I don't think that can be it though as it happened at school the other day when she was in PE. She tells me that when it happens she doesn't see it on everything she looks at it can be just one thing or two but not everything.
I'm a bit calmer today but I've been ill for the past week with flu so my defences are down. I appreciate all the advice, thanks you x
Regnardgreeb
05-05-16, 10:21
Perhaps a hormone thing that causes migraine with aura? That could explain the double vision. At that age it's common for girls to have started puberty.
She tells me that when it happens she doesn't see it on everything she looks at it can be just one thing or two but not everything.
Double vision is double vision and it would manifest itself in one's entire field of vision, not just specific objects. Perhaps she's hyper focusing on certain objects? Have you ever looked at an object and intentionally unfocused your field of vision on it? It turns into double vision ;) And frankly, based on the medical all clear, this could be more psychological in nature.
One more thing... there is something to be said about phone and tablet use. They call it "text neck" and it's physical issues (neck pain, headaches etc.) due to extensive phone and tablet use. Also, shifting focus rapidly from a phone or tablet to real life could cause momentary focus issues that would cause double vision while the eyes adjust.
Bottom line, her eyes are good so no medical worries to worry you :)
Positive thoughts
Fishmanpa - thanks for your reply, your explanation sounds good but I'm still quite concerned. I know it does'nt make sense that she doesn't see it on everything but how does that necessarily rule out a brain tumour. It's happened a few times today, once when she was looking at her phone, I told her to look away at something else to see if she can see it on anything else but she said she couldn't and when she looked back she could still see it on her phone. Then she was doing some craft work and she could see it on the bottle of glue, but not the whole bottle just parts of it and only if she moved in certain ways.
Every time she tells me that it's happening I feel the fear and panic rising. I know she had her eyes checked but another forum I was on people were telling me that an optician check up is'nt enough. Do you know if there was a tumour would there have been some indication on her eye test.
I don't want to go into an all out panic and rush her to the gp, but what if there is something serious and I leave it.
Has anyone else had this happen to them or to their child. My anxiety is really starting to increase and finding it harder to cope
Still in high anxiety, anyone able to reassure me?
Rainbow,
I don't know what anyone can say to calm you. With respect, it seems like your daughter is feeding off your anxiety. You're asking her to self test by looking at certain things and frankly, based on what you're describing, I can't see it as something consistent with an issue. If your vision is skewed, your vision is skewed. It wouldn't happen only on certain items or on parts of a certain item or when you look a something a "certain way". That's just common sense. If you're that concerned, take her to the doctor but being that an eye doctor already gave her the all clear, I think you'd be chasing the wind.
Children are very intuitive and sensitive to their environment and they can pick up on your anxiety no matter how much you try to mask it. It may be wise to address those issues one you get the reassurance you're seeking.
Positive thoughts
I have to agree with fishmanpa. I think you quizzing her and 'testing' her probably encourages her to think about it more and notice something excessively which may just be quite normal. Sorry!
I had proper full-on double vision as a child. Mine required surgery to correct - BUT, it was constant, 24/7, everything being in extreme double vision. For example, I would see 2 entirely separate television screens, rather than a slight duplication of what was on the screen! :) When my mum held up 3 fingers and asked how many fingers she was holding up, I replied "3. But the mummy next to you is holding up 3 fingers too!"!!!
I also occasionally get slight "double vision" now, over 30 years later - but t's completely different and unrelated to what I had as a child. It is a slight duplication of something that I've been focusing on (such as words in a book) it happens when I'm a bit tired and my focus drifts (perhaps from daydreaming) and the image just distorts a bit. If I then looked away, it wouldn't affect other things as my depth of field changes, correcting my focus. I can actually replicate this and almost 'make myself see double' by focusing and then un-focusing on something specific! A bit like looking at droplets of water on a window and then looking through the window instead. Does that make sense? I just wonder if your daughter is over thinking the way she focuses on things and doing something similar sub-consciously?
All that said, if you are genuinely concerned about your child's health and she shows other symptoms or it is interfering with her day-to-day activities, then do speak to a doctor about it. All the Best.
If it was one of my kids, I'd take them to the doctor. I'm not saying it's anything serious but it's best to get things checked out. :)
It sounds a bit like migraines with an aura. You have funny vision in parts of your field of vision but not all. It's like flashing lights that obscure part of your field of vision - it gets bigger and then clears leaving you with the migraine. Some people only get the aura without the headache- it's called 'silent migraines.' Puberty and hormone rushes can trigger these. I got my first migraines around the onset of puberty/menstruation starting.
Sparkling_Fairy
07-05-16, 23:16
I agree this can happen with migraines, however aura would last more than a couple of minutes.
It sounds more to me like tired eyes. I get it when I get too much screen time, or I'm just really tired. Some things will appear to have an extra edge to me. I blink a couple of times and it goes away.
Honestly, if it was something serious it wouldn't only last a couple of minutes and only occur once every couple of weeks.
Regnardgreeb
07-05-16, 23:25
I agree this can happen with migraines, however aura would last more than a couple of minutes.
It sounds more to me like tired eyes. I get it when I get too much screen time, or I'm just really tired. Some things will appear to have an extra edge to me. I blink a couple of times and it goes away.
Honestly, if it was something serious it wouldn't only last a couple of minutes and only occur once every couple of weeks.
No it's typical that the aura attack only lasts for a very short time, usually it's around 20 minutes and never longer than an hour. "A couple of minutes" is very subjective, so this could indeed be an aura attack considering the age and hormones that might have triggered.
But yes I agree, any serious cause can pretty much be ruled out.
Sparkling_Fairy
08-05-16, 00:47
No it's typical that the aura attack only lasts for a very short time, usually it's around 20 minutes and never longer than an hour. "A couple of minutes" is very subjective, so this could indeed be an aura attack considering the age and hormones that might have triggered.
But yes I agree, any serious cause can pretty much be ruled out.
Oh, I know. Long time migraine sufferer ;)
Maybe a couple of minutes should be defined. To me that always means 3 or 4. And I've never heard of an aura lasting only 3 or 4 minutes.
But you're right, I guess it can be interpreted different ways
Hi, really don't think it is a migraine/aura. She had a migraine once before about 2 years ago. She had a flash of light then the headache about 20 mins later. The double vision only lasts about 5 mins max. I called the opticians that tested her eyes and they said everything is fine.
I know I need to address my anxiety but I've been through a year of extreme stress which I think has triggered my ha.
My anxiety is through the roof over this. Been advised to take my daughter to another optician so gonna do that on Saturday. Can barely function just now. The anxiety is constant
This anxiety is taking over, I can't eat and I'm constantly anxious. Feel like I can't breath properly.
Every time my daughter tells me she's seeing double the fear hits me, it's paralysing! She was seeing double just now, but again only on some objects. When she looked at something else she couldn't see it then when she looked back at the first object she saw it again. It seems to have something to do with the light shining on objects. She has also had after images. I'm going to take her to the gp, don't know how to keep it together though, I feel like I'm on the verge of a major breakdown. I work two jobs and I'm thinking of asking to be signed off but I'm only just back after being ill. Just don't know how to cope. I'm a really shit parent right now. My anxieties are bound to be transferring onto my kids.
Sparkling_Fairy
11-05-16, 23:32
It really sounds to me like it's just tired eyes, but she's hyper focusing on it.
I have it all the time that I see it on certain objects dependent on how the light hits them, and not on other objects. But it usually comes with too much screen time or at the end of a very long day.
And for example, I always see halo's around street lights which my optician tells me some people just have. I know I can't calm you down. Nothing probably can.
But please try not to pass this on to your child and try to at least reassure her
It really sounds to me like it's just tired eyes, but she's hyper focusing on it.
I have it all the time that I see it on certain objects dependent on how the light hits them, and not on other objects. But it usually comes with too much screen time or at the end of a very long day.
And for example, I always see halo's around street lights which my optician tells me some people just have. I know I can't calm you down. Nothing probably can.
But please try not to pass this on to your child and try to at least reassure her
Excellent post....
Positive thoughts
Update.
Took my daughter to the gp, he did some visual tests and decided to refer her on to the eye specialist. I told him I'm terrified that she has a brain tumour, he said he doesn't think she does. He doesn't know why she's having the double vision though.
Now I'm a nervous wreck, can't eat, losing weight, constant anxiety, bursting into tears very easily. My gp signed me off work for two weeks and has given me diazepam to calm me down a little. I have an intense and irrational fear of any medical testing. Every time my daughter tells me she can see something double I get that horrible hot paralysing feeling, pins and needles in my arms. I keep having dark thoughts about my daughter, I don't know how to cope.
Nicholebear
14-05-16, 17:37
Update.
Took my daughter to the gp, he did some visual tests and decided to refer her on to the eye specialist. I told him I'm terrified that she has a brain tumour, he said he doesn't think she does. He doesn't know why she's having the double vision though.
Now I'm a nervous wreck, can't eat, losing weight, constant anxiety, bursting into tears very easily. My gp signed me off work for two weeks and has given me diazepam to calm me down a little. I have an intense and irrational fear of any medical testing. Every time my daughter tells me she can see something double I get that horrible hot paralysing feeling, pins and needles in my arms. I keep having dark thoughts about my daughter, I don't know how to cope.
You freaking out about it is only making it harder on your daughter.
Now think, if this turns out to be nothing but tired eyes, and you've been sent into a panic about this, putting yourself and her through unnecessary stress and anxiety, maybe next time, when there may be actually something wrong, she'll be hesitant to ask you for help because she's worried it will be a repeat of this situation
I'm not a parent, however it was always my impression that when things like this happen, it's the parent's job to keep a level head and be calm and reassuring so that the child doesn't panic and make the situation worse. By freaking out about it, you're only hurting yourself and your daughter. Do you want her to have the same life you do? Full of panic at every little thing? Because growing up with a mom that flips out and sends you in for testing over ever little odd thing is a perfect recipe for being an adult with health anxiety.
Is your daughter's father in the picture? Or grandparents? Someone else she can talk to if he has any health concerns? At this point I think it's best for you to sit down and talk to her and tell her that you have a problem. Explain that you tend to overreact to health situations, and that for now, until you get things worked out within yourself, it's better for her to bring up her concerns with her father/aunts/uncles/grandparents, and to leave you out of the loop unless there is an emergency.
---------- Post added at 11:37 ---------- Previous post was at 11:25 ----------
This anxiety is taking over, I can't eat and I'm constantly anxious. Feel like I can't breath properly.
Every time my daughter tells me she's seeing double the fear hits me, it's paralysing! She was seeing double just now, but again only on some objects. When she looked at something else she couldn't see it then when she looked back at the first object she saw it again. It seems to have something to do with the light shining on objects. She has also had after images. I'm going to take her to the gp, don't know how to keep it together though, I feel like I'm on the verge of a major breakdown. I work two jobs and I'm thinking of asking to be signed off but I'm only just back after being ill. Just don't know how to cope. I'm a really shit parent right now. My anxieties are bound to be transferring onto my kids.
I also have this exact same thing. You know what else this could be? DRY EYES
There was a test I found online, you use a safety pin and poke it through a playing card. Whenever you see the double vision, you look through the pinhole. If the double vision corrects or improves through the pinhole, it is a small irregularity of the eye, like eye strain or astigmatism. If the double vision continues, it may be neurological.
I get the ghosting around bright lights and nothing more. Like there's a sliver of light under my door, and when the lights are off in my room and on in the hall, sometimes that sliver of light ghosts if I've been reading on my phone for a while, or sometimes the glass bulb holders on my ceiling fan ghost a little for a couple of minutes if I've been reading without my glasses. A few blinks later and it's back to normal.
I truly think you are overreacting
Hi,
I appreciate your straight talking, I know you're right and I'm doing my best not to panic my daughter. I don't know if you suffer from HA or not, but I'm really struggling to cope just now and even leaving the house is a major challenge to me.
I've read about the pinhole test and thought about trying it but if I do and her vision is still doubled I would almost certainly have a complete breakdown, because then it would be neurological and my fears would be realised. So that's really not a good idea.
Nicholebear
14-05-16, 18:17
Hi,
I appreciate your straight talking, I know you're right and I'm doing my best not to panic my daughter. I don't know if you suffer from HA or not, but I'm really struggling to cope just now and even leaving the house is a major challenge to me.
I've read about the pinhole test and thought about trying it but if I do and her vision is still doubled I would almost certainly have a complete breakdown, because then it would be neurological and my fears would be realised. So that's really not a good idea.
Neurological doesn't always mean brain tumor. She could be having silent migraines if that is the case.
I do suffer health anxiety but I am a lot better than I used to be. I know how tough it gets.
Your reasoning however in your last comment is selfish.
You don't want to do the pinhole test because if it is still doubled it may mean neurological, which would send you into a panic
How about your daughter that may have a problem that can't be treated because you're too scared to face it.
Living in your own bubble of anxiety is one thing, but you are a parent. Don't make your daughter suffer as well. That's why I suggest trying to relieve this issue onto someone else that may be able to handle it better.
I disagree that my comment was selfish, I don't want to fall apart because that would terrify my daughter. I have 5 kids, they are my life. We are waiting for an appointment at the eye hospital so I would rather wait for that instead of sending myself into a blind panic.
ServerError
14-05-16, 21:18
You have to realise that what you were saying is you wouldn't want to carry out the test because a negative result would be too hard for you to handle, so instead you'd just rather not know. You can see why that might look selfish, no?
No not selfish, I don't want to have a major breakdown in front of my daughter. I have taken her to the opticians and the gp, we are waiting for an appointment to come through. What's the problem with letting the professionals deal with this. I would be much more likely to alarm my daughter if I lose it completely.
I'm really offended at being called selfish where my children are concerned, you don't know me. I have a 29 yo son with serious mental health issues, he has self harmed, overdosed and asked my permission to take his life, among many other things. I've stood by him unfalteringly and always will. If you are gonna post and have a go at me, kindly don't!!
Nicholebear
14-05-16, 22:49
No not selfish, I don't want to have a major breakdown in front of my daughter. I have taken her to the opticians and the gp, we are waiting for an appointment to come through. What's the problem with letting the professionals deal with this. I would be much more likely to alarm my daughter if I lose it completely.
I'm really offended at being called selfish where my children are concerned, you don't know me. I have a 29 yo son with serious mental health issues, he has self harmed, overdosed and asked my permission to take his life, among many other things. I've stood by him unfalteringly and always will. If you are gonna post and have a go at me, kindly don't!!
If you know all you have to do is sit back and let the professionals handle it, why do you continue to worry? If you won't take the step to settle your mind for the time-being at home by taking the pinhole test, and want the doctors to figure it out, why worry and cause you and your daughter anxiety in the mean time. You have to assume it is nothing and carry on. There is a time and place for concern and this situation currently does not call for it.
---------- Post added at 16:49 ---------- Previous post was at 16:47 ----------
What did you hope to achieve by posting here since nothing anyone has said has seemed to reassure you or calm you at all?
It's very easy to talk objectively when you're not in the situation yourself! I find it hard to believe that you have ever suffered from HA with your attitude. Do you have children? I'm a damn good parent, that happens to suffer with anxiety. I've been doing well for the past 5 years but a year of intense stress has triggered this episode.
I have gained reassurance from here but sadly the nature of health anxiety doesn't give you peace for long. I will no longer post here anymore as I didn't expect an attack on my parenting or my character.
I've backed off this thread as I can see you're really in a spiral and as has been stated, reassurance isn't working at all (nor does it ever really).
That being said, I agree with not doing another self check type behavior. You've already been doing that and I'm feeling it's contributing to your daughters perceptions and quite possibly distorting them and causing you and her greater stress. As I stated previously, in one's field of vision, either there's an issue or there isn't. You can't have only certain objects appear off and others not nor can only some parts of the same object be off. It either is or it isn't. That's like saying all the "s" letters in a word are blurry... I think you know this and want to believe it but your anxiety just isn't having any of it.
As far as selfish? In general, health anxiety is a selfish illness. We see that often stated and shown but I don't think this little pinhole test and whether or not you perform it has anything to do with being selfish or not. You're not a medical professional and the result of doing it either way won't be constructive nor helpful.
At any rate, leave it to the professionals and hopefully you can find a way to cope until then. Let us know how you make out.
Positive thoughts
Thank you fishmanpa,
I appreciate you're words, you make sense and to be honest you're one of the few people who's given me any reassurance. I really am trying to shield my daughter but I do realise that she will be picking up on my anxiety. As I stated before, my son has had enduring mental health issues for many years and I remained strong throughout. Actually hoping not to sound self pitying but I have had some really hard and challenging issues to deal with over the years and have fought hard to remain positive but everyone has a breaking point, I think I've reached mine.
Thanks again.
Thank you fishmanpa,
I appreciate you're words, you make sense and to be honest you're one of the few people who's given me any reassurance. I really am trying to shield my daughter but I do realise that she will be picking up on my anxiety. As I stated before, my son has had enduring mental health issues for many years and I remained strong throughout. Actually hoping not to sound self pitying but I have had some really hard and challenging issues to deal with over the years and have fought hard to remain positive but everyone has a breaking point, I think I've reached mine.
Thanks again.
No worries.... now... one more bit of advice. Get through this bump in the road (and I believe that's all it will be) and do something for you in the form of help. You have to be there for your family and you can't do that effectively suffering the way you are. I assure you, even though you're doing your best to shield your children from your anxiety, they know something is up even if they don't know exactly what it is. Children are WAY more intuitive then we give them credit for. I saw it in my own two when it came to their mom and her depression and what it did to us as a family.
Good luck and as always
Positive thoughts
Nicholebear
15-05-16, 00:11
It's very easy to talk objectively when you're not in the situation yourself! I find it hard to believe that you have ever suffered from HA with your attitude. Do you have children? I'm a damn good parent, that happens to suffer with anxiety. I've been doing well for the past 5 years but a year of intense stress has triggered this episode.
I have gained reassurance from here but sadly the nature of health anxiety doesn't give you peace for long. I will no longer post here anymore as I didn't expect an attack on my parenting or my character.
So because my HA is different from yours, you find it hard to believe I have suffered
There are three types of people in this forum that I have noticed
Type 1. The people that float around and try to help and reassure everyone they can. They don't usually make posts of their own but comment on others' trying to help
Type 2. (Me) people that have health anxiety that post here trying to figure out if something they are experiencing is normal, or trying to connect with others that feel the same way or have the same symptoms. We are rational and once someone says "yeah I know what you're talking about. Same thing happens to my and my doctor said it was normal or couldn't find anything wrong" we take a sigh of relief and move on from it. They also try to help others on here if they can.
Type 3. The people that post thread after thread obsessed with every little change. Or no change at all and continue to obsess. They say "thanks that really helped" but the next day are posting another frantic cry for help that no one here can really answer. You can really tell who needs an intervention of some sort. This forum can't help these people the way it helps type 2.
But you're right, I don't know you, and you don't know me. I have had low low points. My mom has breast cancer. It was an awful reality. But you know what? I started looking at things objectively. My rational side has returned. I still have moments of weakness but I'm much more comfortable and happy now.
Nicholebear, I'm sorry to hear about your mum, I hope she's doing ok. I know how hard it is when your parents are unwell. My dad had MS and his life was a hard slog. In his last few years I helped to look after him. My HA started just after he died 12 years ago. My mum died 25 years ago at the age of 45 of a stroke. Strangely enough MS and stroke are'nt things I worry about.
I honestly do live for my kids and only want the best for them, so I was kinda hurt when you said I was being selfish. I go without for my children, unfortunately HA can be all consuming but I am trying very hard to fight it. I don't have anyone I can talk to here so I come on here to discuss my worries and fears.
Nicholebear
21-05-16, 00:16
Has the issue with your daughter' vision been resolved?
Hi, still waiting for her appointment with the eye hospital to come through. If it doesn't come in the next few days I'm gonna chase it up.
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