How to Respond When Your Adult Child Is Displaying Troubling Behavior

As a parent, witnessing your adult child retreat into themselves, refusing to come out and displaying erratic behavior can be incredibly concerning. This situation can quickly escalate, possibly endangering their mental health and safety. Here are steps you can take to ensure they receive the necessary care and support.

Recognizing the Signs

Your son's behavior—locking himself in his room for over a month, living off the food he leaves behind—is concerning and may indicate serious underlying issues. Possible causes can range from severe depression to more rare neurological conditions.

Assessing the Situation

It is crucial to understand if your child is fully aware and responsive. If they appear sleepwalking but are otherwise unaware or unresponsive, this could be a neurological condition. You should also consider illnesses like depression or schizophrenia, which can manifest similarly.

Evaluating and Seeking Help

The next step is to seek professional evaluation. You can arrange for a medical doctor or hospital visit if your son is willing to go with you. This is the best route for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

However, if your son is adamantly refusing to seek help, you may need to consider more urgent steps. In the United States, calling emergency services might result in armed law enforcement, not trained for such sensitive situations. This could be a volatile and dangerous scenario.

Civilized Intervention

If your child is not responsive or compliant, consider involving trusted friends or family members who can assist in securing his cooperation. It is also helpful to gather any information about his behavior, such as any history of substance abuse, Down’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, or a family history of depression.

Urgent Action and Police Involvement

At this point, if you believe your son is posing a serious risk to his own safety, you should definitively take action. If you fear that he might be planning suicidal or homicidal thoughts and actions, it is essential to call for emergency assistance. You should explain that you are concerned for his safety and ask the police to provide guidance on what steps to take next.

Remember, any delay in seeking help could have severe consequences. It is crucial not to wait, especially if you feel he might act on any dangerous thoughts he may have. The police can provide the most appropriate and safe way to intervene, ensuring both your safety and your child's.

After the Incident

Once the immediate crisis is over, it's important to continue supporting your son. Arrange a follow-up with a mental health professional. Regular check-ins and support can help your child navigate their mental health challenges with ongoing care and therapy.

Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there is help available. By taking proactive steps and seeking professional assistance, you can provide the support your adult child needs to regain stability and begin the path to recovery.