Teen angst or drugs?

[sweet angel]

DS-almost 15 has been on my last nerve for awhile. I can't determine if it's normal teen stuff (because he's been grounded all marking period) or possible experimentation with drugs (and, if so, which ones?).

The "symptoms" are as follows:
Argumentative
Headache 2-4 times per week, resulting in 4+ hour naps.
HUGE appetite afterschool (4 packs of cookies, popcorn, apples, pudding)

Sound like anything? I'm more than willing to take him to the doctor, or have him tested. Just thought it might just as possibly be teen moodiness.

The telltale signs (smell, watery bloodshot eyes, slurring, etc.) are not there.

 

[Megster]

As a teen, I would say normal. However some teens are better at hiding it than others. I would suggest talking to him or doing some more investigating (ie snooping) before taking him to get tested. Thats just my opinion though and in the end its your responsibility to do whatever you think is right and necessary to protect him.

 

[sweet angel]

99% of me says normal, but there's that suspicious 1% that says just looking for the drugs/signs that I'm familiar with isn't enough. I'll definitely be doing some snooping. I think it's my responsibility to keep him safe at whatever expense.

 

[Snowysmom]

My teen aged son (and older DS, now 20) have both been argumentative, raiding the cabinets for food, getting migraine headaces, and taking naps. I chalk it up to teen age moodiness and angst. The headaches I think are do to hormonal fluctuations and stress. Younger DS takes naps because he doesn't get to sleep until late after doing homework and talking with his girlfriend. Maybe since your DS has been grounded he is bored and somewhat depressed so he eats more and sleeps more? Just an idea. These symptoms themselves probably do not indicate drug use, more like teenage moodiness, but if you are not convinced, definately talk with his doctor to get his or her opinion. Teenagers all have a way of getting on your last nerve!

 

[dmslush]

I would chaulk it up to the age. DD is 14 and started having migraines about a year ago. The dr. said that it was hormone fluxuations. Arguementative... don't get me started. Naps; well, LOL on our recent vacation to the outerbanks, I bet she slept 50% of the vacation. I think they are just burning the candle at both ends, getting tired, and not sleeping like normal people. So, when they get the chance, they just crash. If you don't see any other sudden mood changes or changes in his appearance, then I wouldn't worry to much.

 

[Hannathy]

The naps and food sound normal for a 15 year old boy I remember snacks of an entire box of cereal eaten out of a mixing bowl. Heck my teen DD can eat your list after school! Is there such a thing as a non-argumentive teen?

My nephew had a lot of migraines during this age period.

Is he doing anything active while he is grounded ie sports or working out at the Y or something. I agree with the others he may just need an outlet even if he is grounded. I don't know the reason for the grounding but depression in teens can have some real serious side effects that I would be more worried about.

 

[nsyncraider17]

Sounds normal to me. My brother (16 this month) and I (19) have both been somewhat like that, without the headaches. I've always been argumentative by nature I think, but that increases in pretty much every teenager I've ever met or heard of. We both used to come home from school and raid the cupboards, which was mostly because we had lunch at 10 am, and often didn't really eat a sufficient meal then anyway. Since high school, I've always taken long naps, and still do in college. My brother has been known to sleep for as much as 15 hours straight about once a month... my mom thinks the stress and tiredness builds up until he just crashes.

Of course there's always a possibility that he is using drugs, but I would definitely not jump to that conclusion based on what you described.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

The "symptoms" are as follows:
Argumentative
Headache 2-4 times per week, resulting in 4+ hour naps.
HUGE appetite afterschool (4 packs of cookies, popcorn, apples, pudding)

I certainly hope he's not taking drugs. If he is, my DS(14) is too. Seriously, I think this could pretty much describe any teenage boy.

 

[sweet angel]

Thank you to both teens and parents for responding. I figured I'd throw it out there. I think I'm pretty in touch and aware, but there's new stuff out everyday, and you can't be too careful.

I'll keep an eye on things.

For the poster that mentioned the grounding...at the beginning of the 2nd marking period, he was told for any grade lower than a C, he'd lose a privilege for the following marking period. He didn't believe me and/or care, so he got 2 Fs and 3 Ds causing him to lose phone, computer, video games, tv, and outside. He's pretty much been under house arrest until report cards come. The 3rd marking period ended today...so he'll be up for parole soon.

 

[TheBellhop]

Are you kidding me?

 

[sweet angel]

Are you kidding me?

Can you be more specific?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We'll have to add my son to the list of kids on drugs then, too. He comes home, eats a meal, often goes to sleep, and argues a lot with me. He gets some headaches, but not like your son.

He was restricted from the computer M-Th because of his grades last marking period, which of course didn't make him happy. BTW, he went from almost flunking out of Algebra2 the first semester to getting an A this quarter (and almost straight A's according to him and he told me that he undertands now why he's been off the computer and how it's helped him).

Anyway, I think with him, part of it is him spreading his wings, learning how to really argue his points, which can be very annoying, but it is a part of him growing up. My DD didn't really go through this. She never really wanted to discuss things (politically, morally, etc, etc) so we didn't have constant discussions/arguments unless it was about what she wasn't doing around the house or how she wanted to go out with her friends.

My son is the type who wants to argue everything. Also, he has a rather explosive temper, but then he gets over it quickly, as opposed to my DD and also my 12yo son who get into mood funks and just get grouchy. So my 15yo is more obvious with his bad moods.

But I sure don't suspect any drug use with my son. They do keep us guessing, don't they?

 

[ChuckB]

well I have 2, DS 16 & DS 13, my oldest has always been in sports, younger plays football, if they dont come home and eat everything that doeant have to be cooked, then I would start to worry, my oldest argues with mom, has been in trouble with dad because of this, youngest learned from seeing the end result of oldest, no arguements from him, oldest has straight A's, no headaches but can cause one, youngest had to have glasses, that was the cause of his headaches, all in all I would say as long as his appearence stays the same, I would not think drugs, they do burn the candle at both ends and power naps in the afternoon are not uncommon......snoop, I do just to know things

 

[TheBellhop]

Can you be more specific?

So I'm guessing that when you were a teen:

-You didn't argue (or have argumentative thoughts in your head)
-Have headaches
-Hungry

?

I do every single one of those. It's part of being a human being.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

So I'm guessing that when you were a teen:

-You didn't argue (or have argumentative thoughts in your head)
-Have headaches
-Hungry

?

I do every single one of those. It's part of being a human being.

Sometimes when these things happen all of a sudden or seem pretty severe a parent starts to imagine things. Just part of our parent job description. Also, too many parts have their head in the sand regarding drug use, so she's probably not wanting to be that way, but also not wanting to read too much into things, so looking for some advice. But, I'm not the OP, just a parent who has "been there, done that", so take it for what it's worth. And I've been a teen, who's "been there, done that".

 

[sweet angel]

So I'm guessing that when you were a teen:

-You didn't argue (or have argumentative thoughts in your head)
-Have headaches
-Hungry

?

I do every single one of those. It's part of being a human being.

When I was a teen:

Yes I argued -- but I didn't argue over EVERY single thing
No, didn't get many headaches -- I actually get more now -- from my teen.
Of course I was hungry.

If you'll re-read my posts you would see that I said I 99% figured it was normal, but the 1% suspicious part wanted to double check. Better safe than sorry.

I'm certainly not running out to buy an OTC drug test kit, but I'm not going to bury my head in the sand to the possibility that in this day and age (as in MY day and age) he COULD be doing something that I'm not aware of.
That would just be flat out stupid.

No need to get defensive.

 

[DisneyJules]

15? Yes, I remember my brother being that age and eating everything in sight. He was not a big guy but man did he eat! My mother thought it would never end,hehehe

 

[HaleyB]

The only thing that is really worrisome are his grades. I know I don't need to tell you that, seems like you are on top of it.

Did all this start suddenly? Did it happen before the grade drop? Is he ditching school at all? If not then I would not worry about drugs.

I might worry about depression if his grades don't come back up. But honestly he sounds pretty normal to me. Did you know teenagers need more sleep than toddlers? Not that they get it these days.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

That is a tough one...I suppose the biggest factor is too know his whereabouts afterschool. How about before school???? hmmm?
Where is he?

 

[sweet angel]

That is a tough one...I suppose the biggest factor is too know his whereabouts afterschool. How about before school???? hmmm?
Where is he?

Afterschool -- he's home at 1:55 -- calls me when he gets home. He's grounded, so he's home.

Before school -- school starts at 7:05. Bus comes at 6:45. Leaves the house at 6:37. If he can get into trouble in that amount of time at that hour of the day, more power to him.

His grades have been dropping for years because he simply doesn't feel he needs to hand in the work, study, etc. He shouldn't HAVE to when there are so many more important things to do. I have several threads on this matter. In any event, from the feedback I've gotten from the few teachers who saw fit to respond to me, his grades are much improved this marking period.

I pretty much knew in my heart and head that all this was normal, albeit stressful, but I would rather have asked for opinions than not.