Olivia was born on the same month and day as her mother. They looked exactly alike, and they were so similar in their speech that people often confused them when calling on the phone. They lived in a southern state in a suburb of the largest city in their state.
Olivia was incredibly good in school both as a popular student and as an achiever of subjects. She was top in her class. Her father was highly successful, so her ability to climb high academically came from him and his guidance.
She was her daddy's girl. She made it into a top university on merit with a full scholarship. Her parents had saved for her college fund since she was born, and it had more than enough to fund her living and other expenses for the next 4 years. She had everything she needed and more to have an outstanding college career.
The first 2 years went swiftly. She was achieving on the same level that she had in high school. She had her sight set on medical school after graduation.
She loved animals and had an elderly dog, Sam, that she took with her. He was her joy. She had Sam since eighth grade, and he loved to sit with her as she played video games.
At the end of her junior year, her grades began to fall. She seemed to withdraw from extracurricular activities. Her younger brothers were now at the same college, and they called the parents, concerned for Olivia. Something was wrong.
The parents acted quickly. They visited Olivia at school. They found her apartment was a mess, she seemed dazed, and her conversation was incoherent. With no evidence of drug use, the parents sought an appointment with a neurologist.
Olivia reported to the neurologist missing time, nightmares, difficulty concentrating and forming sentences, memory loss and extreme anger. He observed disruptions in her neurological functioning and ordered tests.
Each test ruled out his suspicions. He could see there was a disorder but could not identify it.
Olivia continued to become more isolated. She was now entering her senior year. Once vibrant and outgoing, now struggling, isolated, paranoid, and angry at everyone.
She began to enjoy the virtual world of video games over the real world. It was more thrilling to escape reality than to experience the struggle of the outside world. This drove her into further isolation.
Her mother tried to reach her, but nothing broke through the blank stare and gaze of her daughter. It was like she could see Olivia but the Olivia she knew was not there. With no signs of drugs, no medical problem identified the parents were at a loss. They suggested she come home and rest rather than finishing her last semester. She became hostile and said she would never return home. Her parents were shocked. She had never spoken to them like that before! They had no idea what caused her anger. They were scared for her.
The deadline to withdraw passed and her parents hoped Olivia would somehow pass.
They were at a loss as to why she was angry with them. They began to walk on eggshells because they felt anytime they had contact with her could be the last time she spoke to them.
Parents need to understand how predators look at their children as an opportunity and make informed parenting decisions.