Please or to access all these features

SN teens and young adults

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on SN.

Boredom/Anhedonia

2 replies

Scarcy · 09/08/2023 22:09

My autistic, adhd teenage son gets into cycles where he is profoundly bored (it’s like a pathological boredom and possibly also elements of Anhedonia). His range of interests is very limited (PlayStation but only specific games which he will only play once) and his socialising is sporadic and limited too. His communication is also very limited so much so I wonder if there are degrees of selective mutism at play. He repeats he is bored for hours and hours and days and there is nothing that will tempt him and he gets angrier throughout the day. There is literally no way to persuade him to do anything and we e tried talking to him about it when he’s not in this loop and that doesn’t work either and can even trigger a meltdown. It often escalates to include I’m hungry but no food will tempt him. Often it escalates into a meltdown with slamming doors and things being thrown. This too can last hours. I don’t believe there is a single activity we haven’t suggested but I also think when he is in this loop there is nothing that he will want. Leaving aside the drip drip torture of this on our own neurodivergent ears, he’s clearly distressed and I feel dreadful that I cannot think of a single way to help him. Is this common? Does it have a name? Is there anything that could help? It’s soul destroying for all of us?

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 10/08/2023 11:40

You have my total sympathy. DD doesn't do the bored bit but will often be hungry and suggestions of food will overwhelm her which is really frustrating when you know she'll end up having a Meltdown anyway from hunger.

One thing we do is get her to buy (we pay fir it obviously) a selection of beige food she likes and keep in the freezer. That way we can say, "you seem hungry, we've got this or have a look in your stash to see if there's something you'd prefer".

I'd never heard of Anhedonia before but think my DM might have this. I've never known her to show pleasure from any activities, friendships or or situations ever. I'm not sure what to suggest on that one though sorry.

vjg13 · 11/08/2023 20:09

Do you have any family pets. We have 2 dogs and my daughter's favourite is really helpful for getting her mood back on track, if she's door slamming and shouting etc. reminding her that she's scaring the dog does seem to calm her.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread