My brother (step brother really but I’ve never differentiated) since his father died suddenly at the beginning of last year has withdrawn himself completely from life.
He’s 15 and I’ve tried everything I can think of to try and help him. The thing is he doesn’t seem to want to be helped. He runs away when my mother invites his friends to come visit. He won’t talk to me and has told my mother he’s not interested in talking to or seeing anybody.
He flat out refuses to see a councillor.
Despite recent illness refuses to see a doctor.
Hasn’t attended school in 10 months.
Bar one or two occasions I don’t think he’s actually left the house in that time either.
He spends all his time in his room and even eats his meals there.
He sleeps all day and is awake all night. The issue now is he’s obviously of an age where my mother struggles to control him. He can get aggressive and she has no option but to back off. School and social workers aren’t able to provide much help.
Has anybody had a similar experience with a loved one that can provide some advice or guidance on how they coped?
I don’t live close but get out to see them as often as I can and up until this year we have always had a good relationship I don’t want him to withdraw any further.
At the end of this month I’m heading back home for a few days to make sure he attends his court hearing for the school he’s missed. My mother has had to pay numerous fines and I feel it’s important for him to attend these hearings which he’s adamant he isn’t.
I’m also talking with my uncle to see if he can come out with me and see if we can get him to open up to us even just a little.