Chapter Discussions Retitiled - Depression

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No: HPFGUIDX 69476

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Melinda Leydon 
<melindaleo at m...> wrote:
> Now ME: 
> 
> I moved this out of the Chapter Discussions cuz I wanted to ask 
about
> something not in Chapter 1 that really struck me.  It struck me as 
classic
> signs of depression, something I've never seen in Harry before.  
After the
> Dementor attack, when he's locked in his room waiting for news 
from Ron,
> Hermione, or Sirius, he was there for four days
> 
> (US edition, pg.44)
> Harry was filled alternately with restless energy that made him 
unable to
> settle to anything, during which he paced his bedroom again, 
furious at the
> whole lot of them for leaving him to stew in this mess, and with a 
lethargy
> so complete that he could lie on his bed for an hour at a time, 
staring
> dazedly into space, aching with dread at the thought of the 
Ministry
> hearing.
> SNIP
> On the fourth night after Hedwig's departure Harry was lying in 
one of his
> apathetic phases, staring at the ceiling, his exhausted mind quite 
blan
> 
> SNIP
> He could not even summon the energy to get up and turn on his 
bedroom light.
> SNIP
> He felt very conscious of the fact that he had no combed his hair 
for four
> days.
> 
> These thigs all were screaming to me of classic signs of a 
depression and I
> was kind of troubled by it.  I know JKR herself has battled this 
so I was
> wondering if that is where she was going with him for a while.
> 
> Melinda

Yes, I saw those as signs of depression as well.  Harry just went 
through trauma witnessing Cedric's murder and the Dark Lord's 
return.  Instead of proper consulting or even some tender loving 
care, he got the Dursley.  

Depression is like the Common Cold.  Anyone could get it given the 
right conditions.  The key is how to recover from it, fast.  

Harry's anger and his feeling of being victimized are classic signs 
of depression.  He was blaming everyone else for the situation he 
was in.  Now with Sirius's death, an additional dose of guilt was 
added to poor Harry's shoulder.  Without proper monitoring and 
assistance, Harry could turn the anger within and become even more 
depressed.  I sincerely hope that since Dumbledore was open about 
what had been going on, he could direct some effort in helping Harry 
emotionally.  All things considered, Harry held up extremely well so 
far.  

Most parents and adults react to children's emotional problems the 
way Molly reacted - shielding them.  But emotional problem is a 
beast different from any physical danger.  One can't shield them, 
one can only address the issues head on.

For some reasons, I like the way Ginny dealt with Harry's outburst.  
I am referring to the way she talked to Harry when he thought he was 
possessed by Voldemort and avoided seeing anyone else at the HQ.

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