DEAR ABBY: One of my sons, "Clayton," is in his early 20s -- tall, slim, handsome and intelligent. He dated a girl in high school, "Julie," who was the love of his life. They broke up and got back together several times, until she finally moved on and married a nice young man.
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Clayton graduated from college and has a well-paying job. The problem is, all he does is go to work and stay in his room watching TV (yes, he's still at home with my wife and me) until it's time to go back to work. Rarely does he even eat dinner with us.
He does go to church on Sunday mornings, but speaks to no one, even though people try to talk to him. Several people his age, male and female, have approached him trying to strike up a conversation, but he is rude to them and won't even say hello.
He refuses to go to restaurants with us because he "might see someone" he knows. He says that Julie was the only girl for him, and if it's not Julie then he isn't interested in anyone -- ever.
Any suggestions? We don't necessarily want him to date if he doesn't want to, just to have some friends, male or female, and get a life. -- DISTURBED DAD IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR DISTURBED DAD: I do have one. Your son needs some professional counseling in order to get on with his life. The behavior you have described is not normal. Clayton could be chronically depressed or even mentally ill. Please don't let the status quo continue any longer. See that he gets the help he needs.