An Outgoing Teenager Shuts Down. Something's Out of Whack

In merely weeks, a 15-year-old boy no longer cracks jokes, dances or even utters a word. What's going on?

By Julia Michie Bruckner
Apr 27, 2020 1:00 PMApr 27, 2020 3:00 PM
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(Credit: Kellie Jaeger/Discover)

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This story appeared in the May 2020 issue as "When a Teenager Shuts Down." Subscribe to Discover magazine for more stories like this.


At first, his parents thought Marcus was just being a typical teenager — reticent to talk, preferring to stay in his room and blare loud music. Then he started talking to himself and refusing to eat. His family became desperate, and brought him to our pediatric emergency department.

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