Situation · Yourself
“My son won't leave his room and barely talks”
What could be going on
Withdrawn and low for weeks: His withdrawal and low energy fit; check sleep, appetite and whether old interests have gone.
Major depression: Could be depression if it's lasted two weeks or more; check mood, school and sleep.
Social anxiety: Fits if he's hiding from judgement; check whether school or friends feel frightening.
Behavioural addiction: Fits if gaming or phone use has crowded out everything; check reactions when it's limited.
Introversion and extraversion (Jung's original sense): Could be ordinary teenage introversion; check whether he's content and still has some friends.
Warning signs of suicide risk and self-harm: Check whether he talks of hopelessness, being a burden, or gives things away.
Questions to carry
- When did he start staying in his room, and what had happened in his life around then?
- Who else could I talk to about my son, and what am I most afraid of?
Also said as
- my teenager stays in his room all day
- my daughter has withdrawn from everyone
- he's stopped seeing friends
- she just games all day and won't talk
- my teenager has shut himself away
- my son won't come out of his bedroom