Published on 12, July, 2020
My son is shutting himself off from everything at the moment. He has a part time job and also goes to college. He spends the rest of his time in his room. He is clearly unhappy. Possibly depressed. He is very down about is future. He is very hard to talk to. I try chatting to him in different ways but nothing helps. He avoids spending time with any family. He doesn't have friends or anyone outside myself and his dad to speak to. We feel helpless as anything we try to do to help him doesn't help at all. Nothing seems to interest him. I don't know what to do and I am worried about him all the time. He seems to have no motivation to do anything and has anxiety to try. He's a lovely person and has so much potential but has a brick wall around him which is hard to get through to him or for him to climb over. I don't know what to do for him.
Dear NAS95613,
You may like to have a look at the mental health section of our website which has useful links to information and advice about a range of mental health issues: www.autism.org.uk/.../mental-health
The following information may be of particular interest:
If you feel that your son might need some support with his mental health, you can find advice and information on how to go about seeking help, including links to other resources and details of helplines and listening support services, here: www.autism.org.uk/.../seeking-help.
Kind Regards,
Rosie Mod
I'm in a very similar boat except mine doesn't work or attend college. Since he's over 18 and technically an adult I find it very difficult to get help
He's very bright, funny, articulate and stubborn as hell.
I'm at an impasse and it's affecting my MH which isn't fantastic to start with. I don't want to highjack the thread but any advice would be gratefully received.
I think he's doing fine for a 19 year old boy. He's studying. He's working. He's not addicted to anything. He's not outside causing trouble. He's just trying to figure out his future, which seems like the responsible thing to do. I think for his age, he's doing quite well.
He might be socializing online using a computer or his phone, so maybe the personal space allows him to recharge, considering it's not easy to work and go to school at the same time, but he's doing it. Maybe just give him some space.
Burnout?
Depression?
He probably finds it difficult to adapt, due to his work and study commitments. He needs time to himself.