Dont feel terrible, im sure he will be home soon.
I hope you can get a solution at the doctors. Its hard with teens as with my dd i always put it down to her being lazy, the not getting out of bed, doing homeword even doing menial things but my dd has a good friend who has just be diagnosed with depression lately and her parents mentioned alot of different behaviour to my dd. I think My dd has self esteem issues not depression. They are certainly a bread that is easily misunderstood.
Hugs and i hope he is home soon
I don't mean to be rude or pry but do you think he is smoking dope ? this can cause depression and lethargy- my adopted brother smoked a lot and had really bad depression for a long time.Your DS is at that experimental age where it may be possible. I am in no way making judgements, heaven knows my DD is a handful!
mrsmac that has certainly crossed my mind, no offence taken at all. There have been times when he has come home after being with friends, avoids looking at me in the face and then straight off into his room. DH and I have discussed this. If we were to ask him straight out I'm sure he wouldn't admit it if it were true. How can I help him if I don't know what's wrong? I have even thought of asking our GP to do a blood test but what if it all backfires, I don't want to lose his trust either. I just feel so lost at the moment.
What about asking a drug and alcohol organisation for advice ? I know my bro joined NA (narcotics anon) to get help, I am sure there is something to help families.
Hugs to you hun, parenting teenagers is the hardest job in the world i think!
Research shows evidence of some long-term effects in some regular cannabis users.
* Respiratory illness
The way that cannabis is smoked means that more tar is inhaled and retained in the lungs than tobacco, placing cannabis users at an increased risk of respiratory illness such as lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smokers who also smoke cannabis have an even greater risk of respiratory disease.
* Reduced motivation
Many regular users have reported that they have less energy and motivation, so that performance at work or school suffers.
* Brain function
Concentration, memory and the ability to learn can all be reduced by regular cannabis use. These effects can last for several months after ceasing cannabis use.
* Hormones
Cannabis can affect hormone production. Research shows that some cannabis users have a lower sex drive. Irregular menstrual cycles and lowered sperm counts have also been reported.
* Immune system
There is some concern that cannabis smoking may impair the functioning of the immune system.
Also found this
Can you tell if teenagers are using cannabis? Although truancy,
falling performance at school and mood changes can be
symptoms of cannabis use, they’ re also typical teenage problems,
so don’ t jump to conclusions. If you suspect a young
person is using cannabis or find evidence of drug use you may
want to threaten or punish them. But it’ s better to stay calm
and try to find out why they use the drug. Adolescents need to
know their parents love them and want to help them. The fact
that they’ re using a drug may mean they’ re troubled - but it
may also mean they have only tried the drug once and may
not try it again. If you’ re worried about a young person’ s drug
use, don’ t hesitate to get help. It’ s a problem many parents
share and nothing to be ashamed of - and early help may pr event
more serious problems. For more information contact the
Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Information Centre on (02) 9699
3552, or your local community health centre.
Thanks mrsmac, I think I'll give Barwon Health a call tomorrow and see what services are available in our area. How on earth would I be able to get him to see someone if he is not willing? I don't want to push him away but at the same time I know I need to do something.
When my 16yr old DS carries on like this (it isn't often but I can tell when he is faking for a day off) I tell him that it is great that he will be home and I give him a list of chores I expect him to do whilst he is home. More often than not he gets jack of reading what is on the list and chooses to go to school rather than stay home.
I would definitely sit down and have a chat to your son and find out if there are any issues he has with school, his course or anything else. Tell him your concerns and let him know that you would be so proud of him if he could get up & go to his course without too much prompting from you.
Sending you many hugs Dianne... the teenage years are so trying
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