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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Teenage ds depressed?

2 replies

pleasegotowork · 07/08/2018 18:52

I was emptying the bin in ds's room and separating the paper for recycling (ie I didnt go snooping!) I found a letter he had written and discarded to his girlfriend. In it, he said that he was writing it 'in a period of deep depression.'
This has sent a chill through me. He's always been an easy boy, lots of pals etc. In the last year or so, he's become a pain in the arse. He knows everything, monosyllabic at times, talks endlessly at other times about the stuff that interests him and expects full attention. Quite short and snappy with his little sister. On holidays this year he was a pain. In fairness he'd made it clear he didn't want to go but we did our best - went with family friends who have a dd his age, they're good friends. He was awful. Lay on his bed, wouldn't do anything with us etc. I was so angry with him for not being able to just make the best of it.
And now this. He's gone away with his dad and sister for a week. What do I do? Do I tell him I read the letter? (He'd scrapped the letter and there was nothing in what he wrote that was terribly private or that he'd be embarrassed for his mother to have seen.) I can't do nothing but I just don't know what to do. Has anyone been in this place? Any advice?

OP posts:
emanon · 07/08/2018 18:58

It can be very hard to read things like that, but sometimes teens can use very emotional language, this might be particularly the case if the letter is to a girlfriend, so I would try not to worry too much. Maybe try and start a conversation about how he is feeling in general?

pleasegotowork · 07/08/2018 19:03

I've been googling symtoms of teenage depression and there are definitely lots of boxes ticked but I've just been blind. I feel so bad. Our dd has special needs and is very energy consuming and I feel I just haven't had my eye on the ball with him.

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