Social Anxiety Disorder, Asperger's, Other Medical Condition?

Posted by worriedmom @worriedmom, Jul 28, 2011

I have a 20 year old son who has been battling the following symptoms since late his Sophmore year in High School. Problem communicating with others and forming friendships. He is also experiencing anxiety as well as difficulty concentrating, fatigue, recent significant weight loss ( 95 pounds in 14 months....he is 6 feet tall) and difficulty being around anyone (prefers being alone in his room). He also lost consciousness prompting a fall while showering twice Some history: He was bullied emotionally his junior year in High School which then led to extremely low self esteem and withdrawal from activities he enjoyed. He went to a psychologist for a year and was diagnosed with depression and placed on medication. The medication prompted weight gain (45 lbs) within 6 months. He decided to go off the medication because he did not like how it made him feel nor did he like the weight gain; however he remained in therapy. Medical tests given: Blood work checking for anemia, kidney and liver function and thyroid all normal. Cholesterol tests normal. A brain scan checking for tumors normal. At this point he refuses to go to a psychologist and will not go on antidepressant or anxiety medication. However, he has recently started cutting himself ( 3 times that I know of the last 7 months). I do not know what to do. He will not discuss his feelings with anyone: however I think he would be open to more medical tests. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autism (ASD) Support Group.

worriedmom | @worriedmom | Aug 1, 2011

I know for sure he wasn't sexually abused from 2003 to present. But I guess I don't know for sure prior to that although I doubt it.

lkclark | @lkclark | Aug 3, 2011

I would get a full neuropsych eval. Sometimes internists try to diagnose and occasionaly it might be beyond their scope, especially in teens...a psychiatrist in conjunction with a neurologist can often sort out the issues and get a more comprehensive analysis in order to make an accurate diagnosis (maybe there are multiple diagnoses?) and make recommendation on appropriate therapy and/or medication.

DELIA SANDERSON | @deliasanderson | Nov 29, 2011

i would suggest going back to a therapsist, try to highlight his last experience and ask him in what ways it was helpful, this might entice him

kris84 | @kris84 | Aug 1, 2021

Is he on social media a lot?
Being that your boys an adult already I’m not sure how a parent could handle that. But I have noticed some things in common with a lot of kids- TikTok, fb, Snapchat and whatever other platforms they’re getting hooked on and buying into everything that’s said like it’s the Bible. I hope you’re able to figure this out. I’m so sorry that you’re going through this.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 1, 2021

In reply to @kris84 "Is he on social media a lot? Being that your boys an adult already I’m not..." + (show)

@kris84 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see this is your first post here. Although this discussion thread has been dormant for quite a while, you bring up a very valid concept as it relates to our younger folks.

Electronic media seems to be a real deterrent to forming healthy in-person relationships. I see this often, and it is very pronounced in the son of a neighbor. He has such a difficult time relating to people, and even carrying on a conversation with me! But put him in front of a computer/gaming module, and he does fine. It is a fine art to learning how to respond to others in real time.

While we wait for others to chime in with their thoughts, would you share what brings you to Mayo Connect?
Ginger

suzbyrne | @suzbyrne | Aug 22, 2021

In reply to @worriedmom "I know for sure he wasn't sexually abused from 2003 to present. But I guess I..." + (show)

@worriedmom Hi there. I am responding to you and your situation as well as your son. Not knowing what to do and see your son suffer is a feeling I know well. My daughter went through a lot of self-destructive behavior. She seemed to insist on her feelings that were deep and desperate. I was desperate. We saw psychs, psychologists, 3 treatment centers. She was pretty much asked to leave the centers. I couldn’t take her anger anymore. She went to a halfway house. That’s where she met her husband (now married 17 years). Obviously this is a very truncated history.

Do I have guilt worrying that I contributed to her probs? Definitely. Did her dad and step mom? Yup. Her stepfather? Yup. The thing that did the most for her was time. The love you have to give is what he needs most.

Believe me, I feel your suffering. Take care of yourself and just keep being his mom and doing what is in your heart ❤️

christinejarvis91 | @christinejarvis91 | Dec 21, 2023

I was diagnosed with autism as well as social anxiety, generealized anxiety, ptsd, ocd, panic disorder, etc. So, I can completely relate to this post, I barely have any friends and don't want to go out; and when my family has parties or family gatherings, it always makes me so stressed and nervous because I'm afraid that people are talking about me and judging me even if their not and I can't get those thoughts out of my head.

Please sign in or register to post a reply.