DD13 (DYS) has always struggled socially. 7th grade went better as she found a group of quirky, snarky kids in her book competition club, but we moved to another country last summer, and 8th grade ended up being another lousy year for friends. There is one boy who likes to hang out with her, but she says she hates school and basically is miserable although she has won all these art contests and has had many opportunities she would not have in the states.
Something new is on the radar though. Last year she stated she did not like the crowds at the middle school and hurried from class to class so she would not need to be around all the people. It didn't seem to be too big of a problem though, and she did not mention it again. This Spring we went to see the psychiatrist in the US for a med check up, and DD shared that not only did she not like the crowds at her former school, but she did not like to go outside at all. She stated that she did not like people looking at her. The psych told her it sounded like she was struggling with social anxiety, and she chatted with DD a bit about it and then recommended a book DD and I could do together (no therapists where we live). DD was less than thrilled about that.
Currently, DD would love to be in her "cave" as we call it (her bedroom) all day long drawing or reading Twitter posts about random stories (politics/ makeup/art, etc). She was dreadful on vacation when we "had to" go out to the beach or to a restaurant. She hated the whole affair. She complains when we "have to" go to a restaurant. She will not go out for exercise although she really needs it and has decided she hates soccer although she loved it for several years.The teachers do not see any of the problems we see. They claim DD is doing great although they acknowledge she is sarcastic, and one teacher said she was the most "sharp minded" kid she had ever met. DD has breezed through her classes without studying and has made all A's. A couple of extra points/thoughts. We wonder about a depression diagnosis in addition to the social anxiety. DD's latest check up showed she was slightly anemic and was low for D. DD does claim she is tired all the time. I know some studies link low vitamin D and depression, but it is not known if depression causes low D, or low D causes depression.
Thoughts? Advice? DD sees nothing wrong with staying in her room all day so she is not willing to work on the issue.
