Hi and
Many of us get worse right after being diagnosed, before we eventually get better. I doubt age is a real factor as on this board there are members diagnosed quite a bit later than their 20's

From my personal experience I can say with conviction that patients who are diagnosed and are going the med route should definitly seek therapeutic assistance from a competent psychologist. Having such a huge label dumped on you is earth shattering and a major blow to the sense of self...

Not only do we have the above going on, but we get SO caught up in this label, how to eat right, live right, take your meds right, that alot of us get lost beneath this label, that we lose sight of the bigger picture, and in my experience, adds stress, which then exacerbates our symptoms.

My advice besides seeing a therapist to help adjust in a healthy manner? Firstly speak to the pdoc, some meds do cause the symptoms they are supposed to treat, eg: Anti-depressant can cause suicidality, and a benzo can cause anxiety... Secondly; He needs to practice healthy hedonism and seperate himself from his label.

All the best to your son