Hi, I’m new to this forum and could really do with some support please. Quick bit of background I always thought my 16 1/2 year-old was quiet and easy-going I knew he didn’t like certain things like eating in front of People or any kind of gathering really and always struggled with them but I just thought it was because he was shy and quiet fast forward to this year and he had a real meltdown telling me he’d been self harming and hated his life and could do it anymore. I contacted his GP (getting him to go was a real struggle but he did!) and the GP referred him to CAMHS. The GP said there would be a long wait so I found a private counsellor. After some reluctance he did go and seemed brighter in himself although he came out of the sessions saying he hates talking and was very sweaty and stressed. His counsellor spoke to me and said he is autistic and to consider a formal diagnosis. He doesn’t want to do this as he says he’s done with taking to anyone else! He completed his GCSES in June and we had a short break away which he seemed to relax into. He announced he wanted to stop counselling after what was 12 sessions and spoke to his counsellor about it and she agreed. Then last weekend he had a massive emotional meltdown saying he hates how he is, he wants to be normal, to be able to go out and see friends but his school friends don’t ask him because he always declines. He said he feels so so lonely but just can’t go out, he hates how looks he hates people looking at him and hates talking. He talked about self harm helping him and also about killing himself as he’s such a weird person and a burden to everyone, which broke my heart. I suggested we see the doctor again and also asked why he stopped therapy and he said he just can’t talk anymore and refuses to see anyone. He said he hates people. He said no one knows what he’s really like that he puts on a different persona in front of friends and he did the same with the counsellor. He used to chat to friends online but that has stopped too. So he plays video games in his room, comes down to eat and I sit with him and he’ll show me some videos and what he’s doing when I show an interest and that’s it. He doesn’t want to do anything or go anywhere or speak to anyone and I feel so lost and confused about what to do to help him. So sorry for such a long post.
