Hi all. Just wanted some advice and to see if anyone experienced this and what they would recommend
My DS16 has always been quite anxious but not to the point that it impacted his life in any way. he's always been outgoing, fun, popular and did well at school
However, since the lockdowns he gradually got more and more withdrawn. He was ok going back to school in September and all seemed well until in November the day of his last mock, one of his friends tested positive for Covid and the whole class were sent home to isolate. That ended a couple of days before the end of term and he didn't want to go back for this few days. He couldn't explain why, just said he couldn't do it.
Then we went into the Christmas lockdown which continued until March. He struggled to engage with the online lessons and just seemed to lose all his motivation and interest.
When they went back in march, he went in on the first day and seemed fine but after that it was a nightmare with him crying and being really anxious every morning. He wouldn't talk just said he felt ill. We managed to get to the point where he was going in at 11 every day and seemed absolutely fine until his assessments when he just had a total meltdown and couldn't leave the house. He made it in for his leavers day and did say to me in the car he really felt sad and regretted not going to school over the last few weeks
Since he left at the end of may, he has become more and more withdrawn. he barely leaves his room, just wants to stay in bed, his hygiene has deteriorated - in fact if I went through a ticklist of depression, he ticks at least half of the boxes. He's stopped seeing his friends and I worry he won't be able to get back to 6th form - even if his teacher assessed grades meet the offer criteria.
His one thing he has always loved is football and he plays 6 a side on Mondays with his mates which seems to get him buzzing though even last Monday he just cried and said he couldn't go.
His dad and I have got advice and try talking to him nut he shuts down and tells us to shut up, go away, he's fine and won't engage at all
the advice I have been given is speak to the GP - however as he's 16 they won't speak to me without speaking to him first and he won't speak to them. Our surgery still only doing telephone appointments which makes it more difficult. The last time I rode to get him to speak to the GP he just said to her 'I'm fine she worries too much (meaning me) and I was dismissed as being an over dramatic mother.
I have applied to CAMHS but not heard anything back. I'm happy to go private if that speeds things up but unless he's willing to communicate, I feel like I've hit a brick wall
Sorry long post but just wanted to see if anyone has any ideas or advice for me - I really will do anything to help my beautiful boy