ktgrok Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 He went to the doctor today, at my insistence, and was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. However, with the reduced stress of dropping his class at the college and his lifestyle changes over the past week he's doing really well, and it is such a big improvement she doesn't want to add meds at this time. She is open to doing it though if he needs it, and said to check with his Dad as to which medication worked better for him as often times that is a genetic thing (Effexor). She's running some lab work and gave him a referral to a therapist, which he agreed to do!!!!!! I really think if we can get him in with a good therapist to help him learn some coping mechanisms and strategies he will do well. He's also to increase exercise and will be rejoining the gym - turns out his friend (that he'd been ignoring for a while due to the depression) has rejoined the gym so they will start going together :) The doctor also explained to him that if he has an issue with gaming addiction he is also at risk for other addictions, and will need to be cognizant of not self medicating in other ways, like drugs or alcohol. Good information for him to have. Also, he started volunteering at a local Avian Rehab place this Saturday. We dropped him off at 11am and he didn't leave until 5pm, an hour after closing. He REALLY enjoyed it, and has been researching the various birds, etc. With his ASD he was persevering on the gaming, and now he's moving that to this bird place, which is awesome. I'd love to get him focused on exercise too! After all, although exercise can be addictive I don't know of many people that end up dropping out of school because they were exercising too much. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 When you're really lucky, you find a way to monetize your area of special interest/perseveration/obsession. ;) Sounds like exciting progress!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 What an encouraging update :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegs Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 He's got a lot of really positive stuff going on! It must be such a relief for you to see him being freed from the rut he'd found himself in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 He's got a lot of really positive stuff going on! It must be such a relief for you to see him being freed from the rut he'd found himself in. It is. Now...to make sure he STAYS out of it. Just sent him via Facebook the profiles of a few therapists on our insurance that are in the area and I thought looked promising. I'll let him pick between them. One brings a dog to the office, my money is on that one :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 I'm glad to hear this! It is really encouraging news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 That's really positive news Katie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 That’s awesome! I have an almost 18 yr old with a lot of the same struggles who I’m really trying to get to agree to go to therapy. Maybe a chat with the dr first will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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