DEAR ABBY: My nephew is 19. I have been co-parenting him and his sister since they were 15. He has some issues that are normal for his generation. What isn't normal is his inflated sense that life is all about him. If it doesn't benefit him, he doesn't do it. I have been giving him the structure, guidance and direction that he has asked for, but he's not changing. His girlfriend has been on him about his poor hygiene, but he doesn't change.
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Lately, he has become withdrawn and silent, and he is by himself a lot. He literally sleeps all day. Oh, and he's a compulsive liar, so we don't know if anything he tells us is truthful. He does have depression issues and some trauma. Those signs are easy to spot in him. What gives, if you know? -- OBSERVANT UNCLE IN INDIANA
DEAR UNCLE: Has your nephew been treated for his depression or trauma? Whether the answer is yes or no, it's time for him to be checked by a physician to determine whether he may be physically or possibly mentally ill or on drugs. Please don't wait to make it happen.