I sure hope that everything worked out ok here. Wish we could get an update

I suffer with manic depression and noticed a few things with my son. He would be in bed asleep by 9 at night, get up at 11 the next morning, have something for breakfast then by 1pm he’d be asleep again. I spoke to my doctor and he said just to take him in. I felt awful but I told my son he needed to see the doctor for his flu needle. While he was there the doctor got him talking and needless to say he’s now on medication. It’s made all the difference in the world. He’s realised that if he misses a dose he’s got no energy the next day. It’s worth a try to get him to the doctor’s for his own sake.

It is better to talk with GP about this.

It could be any number of things. Maybe he’s being bullied. I wouldn’t just let this lie though. Discuss it with your GP and your son’s school to see if there’s anything going on before jumping straight to depression.

That is a really tricky situation. I would speak to a GP about how best to approach it.

As someone who suffers depression and anxiety from a young age I wish someone noticed earlier before it turned into something worse. I would talk to him about taking him to talk to a doctor for a standard mental health check up and go from there. Maybe even make an appointment with the school counsellor for mum to talk to them and see if they can make a plan

I’m a mum of two teen special needs daughters and they get depression too, I had an art therapist work with our daughter it took her 3 years to start openly talking to her but it was worth it as she will let us know more now she’s 16 now and we’re trying to get a new one. Find a male therapist that comes to your home, having someone come to him could be key and art isn’t what it used to be, graphic art with therapy is great for teens just remember the most important thing is that he knows no matter what he can come to you if he needs and wants help, just remember you are awesome, you care he’s lucky to have a parent like you keep trying mum you’re doing great by acknowledging his condition.

As a mum I am worried about it

As a mother, I’m always trying to do what’s best for my kids, and sometimes we all get it wrong, just continue showing him your there for him.

As a mum I think you need to do everything in your power to protect your kids and help them in whatever way they need you to. I think she needs to get her son the help he needs so badly

Definitely get him checked – I think raise it as a medical issue.

Its a horrible thing to deal with and these days with teen suicide rates as they are its something that needs to be taken seriously and extra light put on it

As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety (among other things) for most of my life, I worry too when my son shows signs or is down. If it continues for more than a day I get more worried. I just make sure to keep trying to be there and get to the root of the problem, though it has been harder as he’s gotten older and not wanting to talk so much. It is heartbreaking even thinking that your child/ren could feel such pain inside, especially when you know the pain yourself.

Is there another guy your son would confide in. It could be a grandparent, uncle or another guy who can get him talking about things in general then lead to what the issue might be. Your son may discuss issues with somebody besides his parents, I know a boy who will talk to his Grandpa but not his Dad or Mum. He may dislike a teacher for some reason, not be able to cope with one particular subject and possibly be able to swap to a different class that does a different subject instead of that one. (I did that and changed a subject). Has he changed schools at all?

I would be seeing a professional without him to get their opinion on the best approach.

I hope this mum is getting the professional help her son might need. I haven’t experienced and, diagnosed, mental health issues. My daughter has a bit of anxiety from events that occurred as an adult. My sister in law had her son on medication at age 10 for mental health issues. I think a lot of his issues were projected from his mum, I don’t think he needed medication. Now he’s 31, never lived out of home, never worked, never had a girlfriend and uses his mum for all he can get.

I have the same worries, the stress that is placed on our children’s shoulders is too much