I know something's wrong, but DS(15) won't talk to me... WWYD?

[CornflakeMum]

My heart breaks for him. He's struggling with the stress of GCSEs this year. Mocks were just 'OK' - he has dyslexia and finds the workload hard.

Last night after having to work late on some homework he was saying 'I hate my life' and then ended up all tearful. He let me sit with him and hug him, but wouldn't tell me what it was all about.
But would answer yes/no to questions so by the process of deduction I think it's about friendships and possibly the lack of a partner for his end of term prom?

It scares me when he gets so upset though (he was throwing things across his room ... boxes of tissues, cushions etc - nothing too serious) and I feel like I can't help with whatever is going on.
All suggestions are just angrily shrugged off:

• can he talk to his older brother NO!
• the school counsellor NO WAY!
• his teacher (who he likes) NO POINT...

In the end I felt like he was playing games a bit - drip feeding information- so said I'd leave him, but we are here for him if he needs us.
This morning he got up very early (after only 6 hours sleep) and went to school early.
He has also started going to the gym 6 days a week, which I think is too much, and is affecting his homework schedule, but he won't talk about modifying that either.

Not sure what to do, and how worried to be?

Try talking via messenger?
If he says things like “I hate my life” don’t ask questions just reflect the feelings to him- “that sounds really tough on you, you sound quite sad/mad/lonely/frustrated”

He doesn't really communicate any better on messenger/whatsapp, I just get one word replies.

For some reason my eldest is much more open to talking when he's in the car with his dad and they're driving somewhere. They put music on and chat away about everything and eventually he opens up about what's bothering him.

Kate - yes, that's true for both my DSs too. He has a trip to see grandparents next weekend with DH so perhaps he will tell more then. Unfortunately, DH is crap at listening properly and giving good advice!

I think you're doing the right thing letting him know you're there for him. Agree with previous poster that it's good to reflect back what he says (rather than necessarily trying to solve it all for him). My son generally opened up a little more on long car journeys or in a restaurant. Would it be possible to take him away for a day trip (without siblings) or even overnight somewhere. Doesn't have to be anywhere fancy but a change of scene might encourage him to talk a bit and might give him a new perspective on things that are troubling him...