Getting treatment for an 18 year old youth

[rov1200]

We believe he needs to see a psychiatrist. His symptoms include excessive hand washing. He weeps a lot. He keeps himself to himself in the bedroom for most part of the day. He refuses to attend college on most days and so loses his £30/week from the government. When he does attend he sits at the back of the class and says nothing. He has had very bad reports from his course tutors.

What is his likely diagnosis and how should it be tackled?

[mike11111]

I don't really think that this is the appropriate place to discuss this, as no doubt you will be indundated with advice from amateurs, no matter how well-meaning. Your first port of call needs to be your GP with a view to seeking further specialist advice. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that as he is 18 he is legally an adult and may well refuse to cooperate. I do hope that you eventually reach a satisfactory conclusion - I fully understand your concerns.

[momcj]

I am no expert. It does seem like there is an underlining problem, something worrying him? Being bullied or something like that? Does he have anyone he can talk to and open up to?

[bednobs]

Any health process is started with the GP

[tillyh345]

I would say hes depressed, so take him to your GP asap.

[LoftyLottie]

A good link here which may help you

http://www.mayoclinic...th/depression/MH00016

He does need help but at 18 and an adult you can't force him to go to a GP. What I will say is that depression and behaviour of this sort is quite common in people in this age group and is so very worrying for their family. If you have a good relationship with your own GP perhaps you could initially go and talk to him/her yourself for advice on what to do, although they cannot obviously discuss your son (if it is your son) with you in any detail.

[ladyalex]

He sounds to be depressed, but he really needs a proper medical assessment. Your GP will be able to do this and refer on if necessary.
If the young man in question will not agree to go to the GP, you are a bit stuck. If you are his parent and have a GP who has known you all for some time, it would certainly be worth asking for either a telephone consultation or an appointment for your self to voice your concerns.
GPs must run into this problem fairly often and may well have figured out a way round it.
I really do not think that you can tackle this on your own, other than trying to persuade him to see a doctor.
It may be, of course, that this young man is not aware that he can be helped, so just discussing the whole situation with him in a positive, caring way may be very
helpful to him.
Good luck.

[yecats2885]

sounds like depression, is there any other symptoms, i e talking to himself?

may be an underlying mental health issue, my brother was perfectly fine up until 19, he is now 30 and is diagnosed a schizophrenic but my mum refused to see a problem despite all the warning signs, and didnt take him to the docs until he was 26......if she would have acted sooner, he may not have been as bad.

good luck, hope its just 'simple' depression but id go to his doctor alone first and express your concerns, the doc will then ask for you to arrange an appointment with him there, this may takes motnhs to get him there especially if he does not see a problem... imagine now in your 'sane' mind someone trying to convince u there was something 'wrong' with u....baby steps and patience is the key

hope it all goes well for u xxxx

[rov1200]

Thanks for your answers. I agree with the comments about seeing the GP as its a specialist matter for diagnosis. I am not his parent but a relation and therefore have no way of getting too involved but just give concern to the parents.

I agree 18 is a dangerous age when moving from puberty into adulthood and some problems can be tackled early instead of a chronic illness later on.

The parents are unable to discuss the problem fully with him as they don't want to put thoughts into his head unnecessarily and worry him even more. Also at that age they don't seem to take advice from parents. His twin sister has broached the subject with him and is probably the best route but he is still very secretive about it.