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Mental health

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What could be happening to my son?.

3 replies

springisaroundthecorner · 09/08/2022 23:18

He's 16. He's attention seeking. Messaging friends saying he's depressed and wants to end it all. While at the same time he is in the bath singing to music and laughing. Lying that he does boxing several times a week. He asked for boxing gloves and headguard for his birthday after months of nagging us. I took him to a lovely, friendly club and he only went to one session.
He tells friends that we shout at him, despite us being incredibly patient and quiet.
He went missing one night. Could see on Google maps that he was local but he couldn't care less how worried we were. He just messaged and said he was fine. Google maps showed he was just waking round the local area and sitting in the 24 hour McDonald's. When he arrived home the next morning he didn't even apologise. I had not been to bed at all.

Another night, he didn't come home and I went looking for him. Again I was alone. At 1am I found him with some friends and said "come on home, let's get a taxi".He just walked off and left me. No concern at all for my safety.
He's been out all day on a volunteer project this week and then comes homes for literally 5 mins and goes out again. No meals at home. Hardly eating anything.
Is this some sort of mania? He has ADHD and the neurodisability consultant says be definitely isn't bipolar

OP posts:
Scorpio8 · 10/08/2022 07:15

Your son does seem like he need counselling. Is he medicated for ADHD?
I really don't know what to say but he got to be willing to get help or admit he got a problem. Whatever happens if he gets violent you may need to call the police. There's loads of different services which think camhs advice to talk to.
He is at a difficult age but no excuse for his behaviour. Sorry not much help but I do hope you can get through to him.
Look at what's triggered this.

sjxoxo · 10/08/2022 07:19

I don’t think the staying out is that unusual to be honest but it’s not ideal! Do you think there are drugs involved?? I haven’t got much experience of teens but to be honest I think most of them behave like this!? I would take the suggestions depression seriously though. Can you spend some quality time together? Are you able to have a proper conversation about these things? My mum struggled with both of my brothers as teens. She would say she tried to talk to them but the effort was really quite minimal - are you able to actually sit down and talk to him and find out what is going on with him? You might need to do some groundwork to improve your relationship so you can be close enough beforehand. Good luck x

Marie2022 · 10/08/2022 07:27

Oh gosh, that sounds like me at the same age! I am ashamed to admit it, but I used to do attention-seeking things like say I was suicidal and ‘run away from home’ whilst sitting in the park all night, just to worry my parents.

I definitely think counselling could help. And if there are no underlying mental health conditions, he should grow out of it. I did.

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