Can't be bothered

[Dr Jekyll]

At what point does a 17 year old losing interest in things they used to enjoy, not going out with friends because they 'can't be bothered', 'it's all too much trouble', become a sign of possible depression rather than just being a moody teenager?

[QuickQuack]

Stopping seeing friends and becoming socially withdrawn would certainly be ringing alarm bells for me. Arguing with friends as well as parents and everyone else on the planet is normal but not stopping activities. Other signs would be not sleeping well or sleeping too much, change in appetite (up or down) +/-change in weight (up or down), and difficulty in concentrating/losing concentration in the middle of a task. I would also check cannabis use as that's also associated with a number of psychiatric conditions including depression and schizophrenia (schizophrenia is not what most people think it is, by the way). Then there's bullying, online and off line, which could be another cause for such behaviour or full blown depression.

Something else I was taught at med school was always to listen to the parents. If normally sensible parents are concerned that there's something wrong with their children, then there usually is. If you're worried, which you obviously are, get them to see their GP. Ask for a double slot if your surgery does that.

Depression is outside my areas of expertise but Mrs QQ is a GP who deals with depressed teenagers regularly. PM me if you'd like to ask anything which you'd prefer to keep off a public forum or if I can help in any other way.

[Dr Jekyll]

Thanks for that. I'm not a parent, an uncle near enough so it isn't down to me but the parents are a bit worried and I (and they) was wondering if they were right to be. It looks like they are.