Posting here for traffic.
Namechanged for this.
After a very stressful, worrying and long journey we are finally getting the right help and medication for my eldest DS (15) who has ASD, depression, anxiety and self harms.
My youngest (11) has just admitted to me that they have cut themselves on a few occasions when they were upset and thinks they may be depressed or suffering from anxiety.
My youngest is straightforward, happy, fairly robust, easy going (usually) and, I thought, seemed to be absolutely nothing like their sibling. In fact, I saw a paediatrician last month who asked about the family and if any siblings are displaying any similar traits, I said not at all!
Youngest is having friend troubles - which isn't really anything new but they got so upset tonight they opened up - they rarely do this and never, ever listen to advice (quite stubborn) and they are such a seemingly happy kid, I had no idea what was going on.
I spend lots of time with them to try compensate for the attention the eldest needs and obviously, I am sensitive to behaviours and haven't ever thought that anything more is going on with them other than growing up?
I'm so upset and worried but most importantly I need to know how to handle this best. Do I watch and wait or take them to the GP to get the ball rolling for help?
My eldest has been a big worry since infant school and everything that you would expect a child to grow out of as they mature - just got worse and worse.
Youngest has grown and changed quite typically and has not shown any worrying signs until now.
What I'm wondering is could this just be puberty and a reaction to everything going on at home?
Would really appreciate any advice. Thank you.