Cathy,

I want to tell you first of all, that your instincts as a mother are never wrong. Don’t ever doubt that. I did have similar issues when I was your son’s age. I am a NCAH and didn’t know I had it until about a year ago when my daughter was diagnosed. I was told time and time again that I needed to see a psychiatrist and be on anti-depressants. I would go to dr.’s and they would tell me that I was anxious and depressed from a chemical imbalance. No kidding!!! But, no one ever did tests on me or looked further into what might be wrong. This condition is so hard to diagnose and I do think my life would have been very different given the diagnosis earlier on and with maybe some compassion from my family who thought I was a "drama queen." I think that you are doing great by getting your son to a therapist. That really helped me. Just make sure the therapist is a GOOD one and not making him feel worse about himself. If only people told me it was okay to feel the things I did and that it was partially a result of the NCAH. Which DOES AFFECT MOODS, STRESS, etc. It is your hormones going up and down continuously. This condition affects everyone differently so it is always hard to do what others say to do, because their experience may be completely different! I was like your son struggling so much through college. I didn’t know why either. I always had such physical struggles. All my friends would do well in school, work and party all the time. Just from going to school and doing well, I was so tired and got stressed easily. I too was the same age as your son.

Here is my advice.... love and accept your son for who he is. He isn’t like everyone else. Maybe he needs this summer to rest and regroup before dealing with the Fall semester. College is so hard these days and if you have a condition that seems to not cooperate sometimes, it is even harder. I would find ways to help him by maybe living at home during the school year, changing his major, helping him with things when you can (like studying and practicing for his driving test). I have found that little bitty steps at things make (in the beginning) small successes but in the end they end up being bigger steps and bigger successes.

Just my opinion. My thoughts are with you and your son.

God Bless,

Susie