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What Causes Sudden And Major Change In Behavior Of A 13 Year Old?
Question: My daughter is of age 13. She was very good at studies. Recently for around a year what we observed is she is trying to avoid study. She is very introvert in nature and now it has gone to the maximum. She is very open with her friends but when at home rarely speaks out . We only see her face getting dim when something is not as per her expectation. Recently we found her diary where she have written about her thinking of committing suicide. She expressed that she misses her mother too much and expressed her want to meet her in her dream. She expressed that her mother is 'LATE' where as she is still alive! Even though she is the best disciplined student in the class and very obedient and the most liked student in the class by her teachers she have done something which is totally contradicting with her conduct. She have cheated in her exam and we were called at school. Astonishing fact is, she remained normal and have not reacted at all. Will be very thankful if you can advise what to do.
Brief Answer:
Could be depression but need evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your concern. Sudden onset change in behaviour shouldn't be ignored. She has stopped interacting at home. Her performance is very poor in studies while she is an intelligent student. She has written in diary that she wants to meet her late mother while her mother is alive. This behaviour shouldn't be ignored. Though evaluation is needed but this could be occuring due to abnormal thought process.
Depression could be a possibility and should be ruled out. Observe her behaviour and find out any other symptoms. During teen age years a lot of females show change in behaviour but with increasing age the symptoms improve by own. Find out if she has any significant stress at home or at school.
This could be abnormal belief or delusion. Under abnormal thought process she has probably developed belief that her mother is dead. Please talk to her and ask about the things she has written in diary. She might become guarded and will not speak. Please take her for a psychological consultation. The possibility of this is rare considering her age. This will rule out any serious thing.
Thanks, hope this helps you please don't hesitate to ask again for more details.
Could be depression but need evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your concern. Sudden onset change in behaviour shouldn't be ignored. She has stopped interacting at home. Her performance is very poor in studies while she is an intelligent student. She has written in diary that she wants to meet her late mother while her mother is alive. This behaviour shouldn't be ignored. Though evaluation is needed but this could be occuring due to abnormal thought process.
Depression could be a possibility and should be ruled out. Observe her behaviour and find out any other symptoms. During teen age years a lot of females show change in behaviour but with increasing age the symptoms improve by own. Find out if she has any significant stress at home or at school.
This could be abnormal belief or delusion. Under abnormal thought process she has probably developed belief that her mother is dead. Please talk to her and ask about the things she has written in diary. She might become guarded and will not speak. Please take her for a psychological consultation. The possibility of this is rare considering her age. This will rule out any serious thing.
Thanks, hope this helps you please don't hesitate to ask again for more details.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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