When a Teenager Shuts Down

摘要

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. "It's like he isn't seeing us," his mother told the nurse tearfully. "It's like he's talking to other people who aren't there." Marcus sat quietly nearby, his eyes darting back and forth as he muttered under his breath.