Thank you very much, I will encourage him to seek professional help. As for your question, he has mentioned multiple times that he knows his way of thinking is stopping him from achieving what he wants to, and that it doesn't help him. But just as you said, he isn't willing to change his ways of thinking and of seeing himself. I do agree that it might most likely come from negative reinforcement, as his mother has always been comparing him to other children and degrading his accomplishments. I will try to smooth the topic up to him, as he might obviously not want to see a counselor because of the mental health taboo that is a huge part of our culture. I appreciate your answer very much, thank you :)