<p>I know you mean well but when someone is down it can be very painful to point out all they have to be thankful for. They know that cognitively, but it can make them feel worse because it’s kind of like saying they have no right to be depressed. He sounds like a sweet kid and is probably aware of the disconnect between how he feels and the way a bright, good-looking boy from a nice family is expected to feel during what many people consider the best years of their life. Give him lots of love and professional care, and be aware his meds and diagnosis may change.<br>
(now that I finish typing I see snowdog made the same point)</p>
<p>“He then headed over to the University counseling centre and got an immediate session. He later in the day spoke with his GP about his depression/anxiety meds and they agreed together that he should keep them the same but monitor his moods very closely”</p>
<p>“”…Individual CBT (which other studies have shown to have a lower risk of side-effects than pharmacotherapy) is associated with large effect sizes. Thus, it should be regarded as the best intervention for the initial treatment of social anxiety disorder. For individuals who decline psychological intervention, SSRIs show the most consistent evidence of benefit." </p>
<p>I am NOT suggesting medication is a bad idea, but wanted to point out the evidence based options. </p>
<p>I am not suggesting this is the right time for “self-help”, and I usually use this WITH patients (and with an ssri) but this is described as a “self-help” book. </p>
<p>I am sensitive on this issue, because my father died when I was a teenager, ( I was the oldest) because my mother thought he should try harder.
It’s been almost 40 years, and it will always break my heart.</p>
<p>His boredom at home could easily be intellectual, not social, boredom. </p>
<p>Staying in school but with more than family support, ie mental health professionals, may be best for him. He took a giant step in initiating his own care. Hopefully he is now plugged into the system well enough at his school he can easily ask for needed help before things go downhill. Recognizing the problem and seeking help is a major step. Eventually he will need to function without his family always being available, learning how to use his available school resources is another step towards independence.</p>
<p>This is such a struggle for him and for you. The one thing that jumped out at me was that you said he was on a low dose of medication. Do you mind saying what he is taking? Some antidepressants do not work unless they are at a therapeutic level. Unless he is having side effects there is no value in not taking enough medication. There should be a psychiatrist connected to the university counseling center who could at least do a second opinion of the meds. Social anxiety and depression are both treatable preferably by cognitive behavioral therapy. He should get weekly therapy from a competent cognitive therapist even if you pay out of pocket; this is potentially life threatening.</p>
<p>I think he is probably quite isolated in a condo since his brother is not there often. The social anxiety hinders his making friendship, but the isolation may depress him. I would definitely check in on him since you are only an hour away. Good luck!</p>