Linda,
I've had lots of premonitions (or gut feelings) all my life, and when I was on prednisone, it had no effect, but caffeine and lack of sleep will really, really send up my antennae, so I'm guessing it's in the same ballpark for you. It's like your nerves are truly antennae and they're sprouting all over the place, picking up signals.
One of the best articles I read on this was about 20 yrs ago in Reason Magazine ... it posited that most people who have a lot of premonitions grew up in dysfunctional households, primarily alcoholic, and learned to be hyper aware of others' emotional states, so that they could steer clear of them when the time came. These "skills" (rather than unexplainable telepathic vibes) are generally there for a lifetime, and will make themselves known in the workplace, grocery store, etc.
Since you have a difficult child, I'm guessing that if your antenna were not fully grown by the time you had your kids, they are now! And the prednisone is exaggerating the whole thing.
If it's a very specific thought and it involves another individual, I would not tell that person, except to say that you are concerned and care about them, because you don't want to put the thought into his or her head and end up with-a self-fulfilling prophesy.
Also, I've found that many of my writer and artist friends, as well as musical friends, are much more in tune with-their surroundings, other people's emotions, and even low- and high-pressure systems than others. So some of it is genetic. If we're lucky, we learn to use it to our advantage.
So sorry you're so uncomfortable right now.