13 year old son. Sleeps a lot. One friend. Depression?

[Anonymous]

He gets all A's. Is generally in a good mood otherwise. Just sleeps til noon or later when school is out and weekends. Has one friend that he only sees occasionally. Not into sports and never has been. Doesn't play video games. Just watches tv. Is he depressed? I don't know what activities to try and encourage. He doesn't want to hang out with his mom and he shows little interest in bike riding, going to movies, etc. Just likes being home.

[Anonymous]

This was my brother in 6th grade and it was pronounced hypothyroidism. He's been taking Synthroid ever since.

[Anonymous]

I have one of these. Sleeping a lot is very common. His body is rapidly growing and needs rest. I make sure my son gets out a few times a week and at least goes outside a little bit each day.

[Anonymous]

Has he always been like this or is it more recent?

[Anonymous]

My teens do the same.

[Anonymous]

Everyone I knew as a teenager slept til noon or later including myself. If I didn't have a kid, I'd sleep late too.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Makes me feel a little better. We are not one of those overly scheduled social families or sporty families. We have few friends and tend to just lay low on weekends and maybe go out to dinner. We enjoy that as a family. But I guess I wonder if we should be doing more or setting a better example.

[Anonymous]

two things :

get him away from the TV

what time does he go to bed on weeknights ? ( if he is up past 9:30pm and awake at 7pm he is not getting the 10 hours of sleep his body needs and THAT is why he is sleeping so late on weekends.

and , yes, encourage interests and , at minimum , regular exercise or some activities that require self discipline.

In another year, he can get a part time job

[Anonymous]

I have severe depression and I feel miserable all the time,i have no friends,and I have no interest in anything or anyone.All I do is stay in my room and sleep all day and night.

Your son may be depressed or it could be because he's a teenager and his body may just need more sleep because he's still growing. If you think he is depressed take him to see someone like a therapist or a psychologist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teens do the same.

+1 let him be. It's summer!

[Anonymous]

Trust your gut and get him screened. Let the ped know that you're wondering about depression. Sure, many of the behaviors you described are typical of a teenager, but no one here lives with your son. You do. Better to be overly cautious and wrong than to let it fester.

--mom of a 13 year old boy

[Anonymous]

Agree with all of this but op I would set limits on the tv. No reason for anyone to watch that much. Does he like to read??

[Anonymous]

Get him into video games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get him into video games.

Go away troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Makes me feel a little better. We are not one of those overly scheduled social families or sporty families. We have few friends and tend to just lay low on weekends and maybe go out to dinner. We enjoy that as a family. But I guess I wonder if we should be doing more or setting a better example.

If you all are introverted then you are modeling that for your son (who may also be an introvert). However, where do you think he will learn social skills and gain the confidence to make plans with people if you lay low and don't do much yourselves? If you want that for him, then you have to model it for him. It won't necessarily happen on its own. Further, with video game, internet and TV, there is very little need for people to engage with others, if there is no effort put forth.