Parent Concerns

I am so worried about my son/daughter. He used to get good grades in school, have lots of friends, loved playing sports, and was very active and happy. Not only was he happy, we were happy as a family too.

Recently, things have changed. He no longer seems to have an interest in school and is constantly either not going or skipping out on classes. Because of this, his grades are suffering. When he's not at school, he spends all of his time in his room alone instead of with his friends or his family. He used to be such a happy person, and now it just seems like he can't derive pleasure from anything.

When I try to talk to him about the problems he's experiencing, he just gets angry and stops talking to me. Occasionally, instead of getting quiet he gets loud and violent. I've recently found myself afraid of him, which is something a mother should never feel for her child. I'm concerned that he may be drinking and smoking, or worse yet, doing drugs! Sometimes he disappears for weeks and when he shows up back at home, he looks unhealthy.

I don't know what I can do to help him. I've tried everything I could possibly think of. I love him very much and want to see the best for him, but at this point I feel like I'm at the end of my rope.