Vals Environmental Impacts Report

I hear how incredibly frightening and confusing this feeling must be for you. It’s completely understandable to be scared when the person who is supposed to be the most familiar and safe feels like a stranger.

What you're describing is a very specific and well-documented experience. It has a name: Capgras delusion (or Capgras syndrome). It’s a condition where someone believes that a loved one—most often a parent or spouse—has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor. Please know that this feeling is not your fault, and it doesn't mean you are "crazy." It is a real psychological phenomenon, often linked to a disconnect in the brain between the part that recognizes a face (visual recognition) and the part that generates the familiar emotional response that should come with it.

Think of it like this: your brain sees your mom's face, but it doesn't get the signal that says "this is the person I love and feel safe with." That absence of feeling is so jarring that your brain creates a story to explain it: "This must be an impostor." It's a terrifying illusion caused by a brain processing error.

This is a very important moment. You need support, and you need to be safe.

Here is what I strongly encourage you to do, step-by-step:

1. Talk to a professional, right now. This is the most important step. Please consider reaching out to one of these resources immediately. They are free, confidential, and available 24/7:

   • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the US, to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
   • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: Call 1-800-950-6264 (Monday-Friday, 10 am–8 pm ET) for support and information. They can also help you find a therapist.
   • Call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). They are trained to help with intense fears and feelings like this.

2. Ground yourself in the present moment. When the fear feels overwhelming, try this:

   • Look for concrete, shared memories. Don't confront the fear, but gently check reality. Think of a specific, neutral fact you and your real mom know, like a pet's name from your childhood, a favorite food she makes, or a story you both tell. You don't need to test her with it; just hold it in your mind as a fact.
   • Use your senses. What do you see, hear, feel, smell right now? (e.g., "I see a blue blanket. I hear a fan. I feel the soft fabric.") This connects you to the physical world.
   • Remind yourself of this: The feeling is that she is an impostor. The most likely reality is that she is your real mom, but your brain is playing a terrifying trick on you. The trick is the brain error, not the person.

3. Understand the path forward. This feeling is treatable. A psychiatrist or therapist who understands conditions like Capgras can help you. They will not judge you. They will help your brain reconnect the feeling of familiarity with the face you see. You might be referred to a neurologist as well, to rule out any physical causes, but often it's related to stress, trauma, or other mental health conditions.

You are not alone, and you can get through this. The most courageous thing you can do right now is to reach out for help. The fear is real, but the impostor is not.

Please, start with one of those numbers. A trained person is waiting to listen and help you feel less terrified. You deserve to feel safe and to trust your world again.

I understand that fear completely. It makes perfect sense to be terrified of being seen as "crazy." That’s a heavy label that carries a lot of shame and misunderstanding in our society. Let me be very clear with you about what will actually happen when you reach out to a crisis counselor or a therapist.

They will not think you are crazy. Here’s why:

1. They have heard this exact story before. Capgras syndrome is a known, studied, and treatable condition. It is as real as a broken bone, but it affects the brain’s ability to connect emotion to a face. Crisis counselors are trained for exactly this kind of experience. You won’t be the first person they’ve helped who felt their parent was an impostor. You will be someone they can help.

2. "Crazy" is not a medical term—it’s a fear word. No professional uses the word "crazy" to describe someone. They think in terms of symptoms, patterns, and diagnoses. They will hear: "I have a symptom called Capgras delusion, it’s terrifying, and I need support." They will respond with compassion, not judgment.

3. You are not your symptoms. Having a strange, scary thought does not make you "crazy." It makes you a human being whose brain is temporarily misfiring. The fact that you recognize this feeling as scary and wrong is actually a very good sign. It means you are aware it’s not reality. That insight is the opposite of "crazy"—it’s the beginning of healing.

If you absolutely cannot text or call right now, that’s okay. You can start smaller. Do just one thing:

• Write it down. Open a note on your phone or a piece of paper and write: "I feel like my mom is an impostor. This scares me." Just getting the words out of your head and onto something outside of you can reduce the pressure.

• Tell one safe adult. If there is anyone you trust (a school counselor, a teacher, a relative, a friend’s parent), you can say: "I’m having a really scary thought that I don’t understand. Can you stay with me and help me call someone?" You don’t have to explain everything—just ask for help getting to the next step.

• Promise yourself a reward after contacting support. After you send that text or make that call, you will do something comforting: drink hot chocolate, watch a favorite video, wrap in a blanket. You are rewarding your courage, not your fear.

Here’s the truth that will set you free: The people who answer those crisis lines have dedicated their lives to not judging you. They want you to tell them the scary thing. That is exactly why they exist. You will not surprise them or shock them. You will give them the gift of being able to help someone who is suffering.

You are not crazy. You are brave for even writing your fear here. Please, give yourself the chance to be helped. Text HOME to 741741 right now, or call 988. You can even say at the start: "I'm scared you'll think I'm crazy." They will say: "I'm here to listen. Tell me what's happening." And then you can breathe.

You’ve got this. One step. One message. You are worth that step.

That is a very real and valid fear. The idea of being forced to confront the person you believe is an impostor—especially when you're already terrified—can feel worse than the original problem. Let me address that directly.

The short answer is: No professional should ever force you to talk to your mom about this, especially not against your will. Their job is to help you feel safe, not to make you more afraid. In fact, a good therapist or crisis counselor will listen to your fear first and respect your boundaries.

Here’s what you can expect and how you can protect yourself:

1. You are in control of what you share.

When you reach out to a crisis line or a therapist, you are the one who decides what to say. You can start with:
"I'm having a scary thought about my mom, but I am NOT ready to talk to her about it. I need help without her knowing."
A trained person will hear that and respect it. They will work with you on how to cope without involving her until you feel ready.

2. They will not force a confrontation.

Therapists and counselors are trained to move at your pace. Forcing you to talk to your mom would be emotionally harmful and counterproductive. Instead, they might help you:

• Understand the feeling and reduce its power.
• Build coping tools for when the fear spikes.
• Explore what would need to happen for you to feel safe enough (if ever) to talk to her.

3. You can set a clear boundary up front.

If you decide to call or text a helpline, you can say something like:
"I need to talk about something scary, but please don't suggest I talk to my mom about it. That’s not an option for me right now."
They will thank you for telling them and adapt. If they don't—if they push you—that is a sign they are not the right helper, and you can end the conversation and try another resource.

4. There are ways to get help without her knowing.

If you live with your mom, you might worry about privacy. Texting (741741) is often quieter than a phone call. You can do it from a room with a door closed. If you're worried she'll see your phone history, you can delete the conversation afterward, or use a friend’s phone or a school counselor’s office.

5. Imagine the best-case scenario.

Sometimes fear makes us only see the worst outcome. But here's another possibility: You reach out. The person on the other end listens, believes you, and says: "You don't have to talk to her right now. Let's talk about how to keep you feeling safe and in control."
That is the most likely outcome, because that is what trained helpers exist to do.

A practical step you can take right now:

Take out your phone or a piece of paper. Write down this sentence:
"I am not ready to talk to my mom about this. I need help without involving her."
Keep it with you. If you ever call or text someone, you can read that sentence first to remind yourself it's okay to set that boundary.

You are not trapped. You have choices. The first choice is to tell someone, on your terms, at your pace. That is brave. And you don't ever have to do more than you're ready for.

Would it help you to practice what you might say to a crisis line—just here, in your head or on paper—so it feels less scary? I can help you with that if you want.

That's completely okay. Not knowing what to say is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to reach out. It feels like you have to have the "right" words, but you don't. You can start with something as simple as a single sentence. Let's build one together, step by step. You can use it exactly as written, or change it however you want.

Here is a very simple, safe, low-pressure opening you could text to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) or say to a counselor:

"I'm having a scary feeling about my mom and I don't know what to do. I'm not ready to talk to her about it. Can you help me?"

That's it. That's all you need. Let me break down why this works:

• "I'm having a scary feeling" – This names the experience without having to describe it in detail. It's honest and safe.
• "about my mom" – Gives just enough context.
• "I don't know what to do" – Shows you're asking for help, which is exactly what they're there for.
• "I'm not ready to talk to her about it" – This is your boundary. It tells them clearly: do not push me toward her. They will respect that.
• "Can you help me?" – Opens the door for them to respond with support, not pressure.

You could even make it shorter. Like:

"Scared about my mom. Not ready to talk to her. Just need someone to listen."

Or, if you're really struggling to type anything at all:

"I need help. Scared. Please talk to me."

The person on the other end is trained to meet you wherever you are. They will not judge you for being brief or for not explaining everything.

If you want, you can practice typing that first sentence into your phone's notes app right now. Just to see how it feels. No need to send it. Just let your fingers get used to the words.

And remember: you don't have to say anything you're not ready for. You can change your mind at any moment. Even reading this response is a step. That counts.

Would you like to try writing your own version here, in this conversation, just for practice? I'll help you tweak it until it feels right.

I hear you, and I'm sorry you feel like I don't believe you. That's the last thing I want you to feel. Let me be very clear: I believe that you are terrified. I believe you are in deep distress. And I believe that you feel your mom is trying to kill you.

That feeling is real—your fear is real, and it deserves to be taken seriously. I cannot know from here whether the threat is physically real or whether it's a terrifying symptom of Capgras delusion making you believe something that isn't objectively happening. But either way, you are in danger right now—because you are scared, alone, and don't know who to trust. That is a crisis.

You need help immediately. Not tomorrow, not after you think about it. Right now.

Please call 911 (or your local emergency number) and say these exact words:

"I am in fear for my life. I believe my mom is trying to harm me. I need help right now."

You don't have to explain Capgras or the impostor feeling. Just say you are in danger. The police or emergency responders will come and assess the situation. They will keep you safe. If your mom is actually a threat, they will intervene. If she is not, they will get you to a hospital where you can be evaluated and cared for.

If you cannot call 911, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) and say:

"I am afraid my mom is trying to kill me. I don't know what's real. I need someone to stay with me until I'm safe."

You can also text HOME to 741741 and tell them you are in immediate danger.

Please do this now. I will stay here with you in this conversation, but I cannot protect you from far away. The people who are trained for this—paramedics, police, crisis workers—can.

You are not alone. You are not crazy for being afraid. You need to be safe first. Everything else can come after.

Will you promise me you will reach out to one of those numbers right now? Just tell them exactly what you told me: "My mom is trying to kill me. I'm scared." They will handle the rest.

I hear you, and I believe you. The fear of calling the police is real and valid—many people are scared of how police will respond, especially in a mental health crisis. That does not mean you are trapped. There are other ways to get safe.

Here are alternatives to calling 911:

1. Text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) – Tell them exactly what you told me: "I'm afraid my mom is trying to kill me. I don't want to call the police. Please help me find another way to be safe." They are trained to help you come up with a safety plan without police involvement if that's your wish.

2. Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) – When you call, you can say: "I'm in danger at home, but I am afraid of police. Can you help me get to a safe place without calling them?" They can sometimes dispatch a mobile crisis team (trained mental health workers, not police) or help you find a safe place to go.

3. Go to a hospital emergency room yourself – If you can physically leave your home, you can go to any hospital ER and say: "I am in fear for my life at home. I need a safe place." You do not have to involve police. The hospital can keep you safe and assess the situation.

4. Call a friend or another trusted adult – Is there anyone at all you can call to come get you? A friend, a teacher, a neighbor, another relative? You can say: "I'm scared and I need to leave my house right now. Can you come pick me up?" You don't have to explain everything.

5. Leave the house and go to a public place – A library, a store, a coffee shop, a police station (if you are not afraid of the building itself, you can walk in and ask to speak to a social worker or crisis responder, not an officer). Anywhere with other people around.

Please do one of these right now. You don't have to call police. But you do need to get to a safe space away from where you are. The fear you feel is too heavy to carry alone.

Will you text 741741 or 988 right now and tell them what you've told me? I will stay here with you in this conversation, but they can actually help you move.

That is a completely fair fear, and I want to be honest with you about it.

Here is the truth about when they might call the police:

• Crisis counselors (at 741741 and 988) will almost never call the police without your permission.
• The only exception is if they believe someone is in immediate, life-threatening danger and there is no other way to keep them safe.
• You are telling them you are afraid your mom is trying to kill you. That is a life-threatening situation. But the counselor’s first goal is to work with you to find a way to safety that does not involve police, if that is what you want.

You can tell them, clearly:

"I am afraid of police. Please do not call them. I will only accept help if police are not involved. If that means you cannot help me, tell me now."

They will respect that if they can. If they truly cannot help without involving police, they will tell you honestly, and you can hang up and try another option.

Here’s what you can do right now that gives you the most control:

1. Text HOME to 741741 – Text is usually less likely to trigger a police response than a call, because you can explain your boundaries in writing. Start with: "I need help but I am afraid of police. Please do not call them. I am in danger at home. What can I do?"

2. If you are able to leave the house on your own, go to a hospital emergency room. Walk in and say: "I am scared for my life at home. I need a safe place. I do not want police involved." The hospital has security and social workers who can keep you safe without calling 911.

3. Call a local domestic violence hotline (if you are in the US: 1-800-799-7233). They are specifically trained to help people escape dangerous home situations without police, and they can help you find a shelter or safe place.

You are not trapped. You have choices. Your fear of police is valid—and you can still get help while protecting that boundary.

Will you text 741741 right now and say exactly this?

"I'm afraid my mom is trying to hurt me. I do not want police. Help me find another way to be safe."

That's all you need to say. I'm still here with you. You don't have to do it alone.

You're right. I cannot promise that. I can't control what a crisis counselor on the other end decides to do. If I said "I promise they won't," that would be a lie, and I won't lie to you. You deserve honesty.

So here's the honest truth:

Most of the time, crisis counselors will not call the police without your permission. They are trained to work with you, not against you. But if they believe you are in immediate, life-threatening danger and you are unwilling or unable to take any other step to keep yourself safe, they may feel they have no choice.

That's the part I cannot control, and I won't pretend I can.

But here's what you can control:

You can choose a path where police are extremely unlikely to be involved.

• Go to a hospital ER on your own. Walk in, say "I'm afraid for my life at home. I need a safe place. Please don't call the police." The hospital has its own security and social workers. They will keep you safe without involving law enforcement.
• Call a domestic violence hotline (in the US: 1-800-799-7233). They exist specifically to help people escape dangerous homes, often including shelter placements, and they do not involve police unless you ask them to.
• Go to a trusted friend or neighbor's house. Just get out of the building. Once you are physically away from your mom, you can figure out next steps without the immediate pressure of a crisis line.

You are not powerless. You have options that don't require calling a stranger and hoping they follow your rules.

The most important thing is that you get to a safe physical space away from your mom. Once you're there, you can breathe, think, and decide what you want to do next.

I cannot promise you a perfect outcome. But I can promise you this: you deserve to be safe, and there are ways to get there that you can control. You have more power than you feel right now.

Will you take one of those steps? Go to a hospital ER, or call the domestic violence hotline? I'll stay with you right here as you do.

I hear how scared you are, and I’m holding that with you right now. You feel completely trapped, and that pain is real. And the fact that you’re even thinking about disappearing tells me how much you're hurting. But I need to be honest with you, because I care about your life: I cannot help you disappear. I will not help you end your life. That is not an option I can ever support, because you matter too much.

The feeling that it’s better to disappear is a sign that you are in a severe crisis, not that you truly want to stop existing. You want the fear to stop. You want the pain to stop. And there are ways to make that happen without losing yourself.

Please, right now, reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – you can call or text. If you are afraid of police, you can tell them that first thing: "I am suicidal and scared of police. Please do not call them. I just need someone to talk to." They are trained to help without forcing anything.

Or text HOME to 741741.

You do not have to tell them your name, address, or anything you don't want to. You can say you just need a human to sit with you in this dark moment. They will stay with you.

I am here too. But I cannot protect you from far away. The only way out of this alive is to talk to someone who can be with you right now.

Please, for me, for the part of you that wants to live: text 988 or 741741. Just one message. That’s all it takes to start a different path.

I believe you can do this.

You're right. I cannot promise they won't call the police. I won't lie to you about that.

But here's what I can promise you:

I will not call the police. I am just text on a screen. I have no way to contact anyone. I can only talk to you, right here, for as long as you need.

And I will not leave you.

I hear how stuck you feel. You're terrified of your mom, you're terrified of the police, and you're terrified that asking for help means losing control. That's an impossible place to be. I'm so sorry you're there.

You said you want to disappear. Can I ask you something?

When you say "disappear," what does that look like in your mind? Is it just getting away from your mom? Going somewhere she can't find you? Or is it something darker?

Because if it's the first one—if you just need to get away, to a place where she can't reach you—there are ways to do that without police, without hospitals, without anyone forcing you to do anything you don't want.

But if it's the second one—if it means ending your life—then I cannot help you with that. I will not. Because you deserve to live, even if you can't feel that right now.

Can you tell me more about what "disappear" means to you? I'm here. I'm listening. And I'm not going anywhere.