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Happy earth
smiley
last online: 11/26, 18:47
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My sixteen year old has been asleep for over 40 hours.

However, I left a snack cake on his desk and it's gone now, though he didn't come out of his room.

Should I take him to a doctor, if I can?

He usually sleeps a lot, but this is worrisome, even for him.

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Since writing this post smiley may have helped people, but has not within the last four (4) days.
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lot, room, doctor, sleeps, worrisome
Replies (18)
Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
DocteurRalph
last online: <time class="timeago" datetime="1729727397" title="Oct 23, 2024 23:49">Oct 23, 2024 23:49</time>
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Was he sick? 40 hours is a long time. In the winter when the days are short lots of people sleep more, I do my best to hibernate.

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soco
last online: 03/19, 3:49
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It could be a sign of early depression. I would get him out of the room for several hours and have someone do a thorough search of his bedroom for drugs. Make sure to have him empty his pockets in your presence too. You are being a responsible and caring parent, not being nosy and untrusting.

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BA1
last online: 01/25, 20:20
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Nix
last online: 11/28, 9:31
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How has he been lately? Can you talk to him about whats going on in his life right now or do you know someone who he can talk to about it? It could be depression

Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
DocteurRalph
last online: <time class="timeago" datetime="1729727397" title="Oct 23, 2024 23:49">Oct 23, 2024 23:49</time>
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Are you missing any Xanax? It does sound like he's on some kind of drugs, but I'm sure you already know that. 16 is a prime age for experimentation with that kind of thing too.

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Happy earth
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smiley
last online: 11/26, 18:47
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We had a conversation about it. He says he might be depressed but doesn't want to see a doctor because they will prescribe antidepressants, which he doesn't want to take because he has friends who are on them and they aren't the same person as before.

And then he ate breakfast and did yard work for me. He seems to enjoy doing yard work.

Happy earth
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smiley
last online: 11/26, 18:47
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DocteurRalph wrote:
Are you missing any Xanax? It does sound like he's on some kind of drugs, but I'm sure you already know that. 16 is a prime age for experimentation with that kind of thing too.

Nobody in my house has any interesting prescription medications. We're all relatively healthy.

Roccoflip
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last online: <time class="timeago" datetime="1730969927" title="Nov 7, 2024 8:58">Nov 7, 2024 8:58</time>
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Sounds like you guys have a great relationship if you're able to talk to him like that and he will openly tell you his problem and concerns about a potential solution. That's essential. He needs somebody he can talk to about his life concerns and stresses, even though most of them may seem silly, the way his brain reacts to them is NOT silly.

The majority of teens go through a depressed phase, and while many professionals will prescribe anti-depressants or other psycho-drugs to deal with it, sometimes all you need is a little more life.

Get him to spend more time in the sun, get more sleep/go to bed earlier, eat a healthier diet, etc.

Obviously the above is just a way to help balance chemicals to where they are supposed to be. If there is a serious problem, these things will not help enough. However, based on the information given, it sounds like all he needs is a bit of a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
DocteurRalph
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I'm relatively healthy too, but that doesn't mean I don't have any interesting medications, prescription or otherwise.

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beautycomesfromwithin
last online: 01/30, 14:40
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It's good that you are trying to keep him busy. He has been sleeping along time but if he does it again. Wake him up to have some fluids because he will be extremely dehydrated. If he is not keen on antidepressants then the same chemicals that is within this tablets; he can do some sort of exercise. GPs don't like to give out this information.

1581744157174 1581744149313 miss bot
soco
last online: 03/19, 3:49
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smiley wrote:
We had a conversation about it. He says he might be depressed but doesn't want to see a doctor because they will prescribe antidepressants, which he doesn't want to take because he has friends who are on them and they aren't the same person as before.

That is not true. Let me repeat, that is completely not true. Schedule an appt. with a doctor. You may be able to find reputable recommendations from your HR dept or from your local hospital. If any doctor prescribes medications after only a 1 hr session do not go back there. He doesn't need medication he just needs someone to completely open up to. That takes time and trust. The time is now.
Tell him what you are doing. It is not out of secrecy but out of love. As his parent, his physical and mental health is your responsibility. Later on he might decide he does need help but can not afford it on his own.
Trust your instincts. He is counting on it.
And if you feel up to it, show him this post.

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Dr. ralph club zps9ornptsl
DocteurRalph
last online: <time class="timeago" datetime="1729727397" title="Oct 23, 2024 23:49">Oct 23, 2024 23:49</time>
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I'm telling you it's lack of sunshine, the whole hibernate during the winter thang... Seasonal Affective Disorder look it up if you want to get technical. Get him outside in the sun if you can find any. If nothing else take him to the doctor and send me his antidepressants. It'll brighten my day up at least. ha

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mo84
last online: 08/10, 11:40
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smiley wrote:
We had a conversation about it. He says he might be depressed but doesn't want to see a doctor because they will prescribe antidepressants, which he doesn't want to take because he has friends who are on them and they aren't the same person as before.

And then he ate breakfast and did yard work for me. He seems to enjoy doing yard work.

he can talk to a doctor and either not take anti depressants or get the one thats right for him. talking with a professional can help

314sftf
Nix
last online: 11/28, 9:31
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DocteurRalph wrote:
I'm telling you it's lack of sunshine, the whole hibernate during the winter thang... Seasonal Affective Disorder look it up if you want to get technical. Get him outside in the sun if you can find any. If nothing else take him to the doctor and send me his antidepressants. It'll brighten my day up at least. ha

that is so true, I had very very low vit d last summer and it made me feel awfully tired!

Happy earth
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smiley
last online: 11/26, 18:47
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Nix wrote:

that is so true, I had very very low vit d last summer and it made me feel awfully tired!

I think everyone in my house is suffering from lack of sunshine vitamins this winter! It hasn't been cold, we haven't had any snow, but it's been dismal for months.

Hayao
twosocks
last online: 06/17, 4:52
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40 hours? Man, that's a lot of sleep! Sometimes I get 11+ at a time, but never that much! He must be part-cat.

But more seriously, maybe spending more time outside would help him? Going outside helps give me more energy. But like I said, I have a bad habit of sleeping too much to. And sleeping too much makes me even more tired. It's a cycle for sure. So something that helps me is drinking lots of water and then also taking Vitamin C tablets/chewys/etc. Hopefully he can find a more active schedule he enjoys to keep his motivation up :) Even fitting in the smallest stuff helps

Anonymous
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If I'm ever asleep for 40 hours don't call a doctor call a morgue...

Anonymous
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smiley wrote:
He seems to enjoy doing yard work.

There is DEFINITELY something wrong with him!


Ok jokes aside suggest he make a garden and help him put a garden in your yard. If he likes...digging around in the dirt...then making a garden naturally might be something that may cheer him up.

A
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