Depression in HP characters?

[nirupama76]

No: HPFGUIDX 182523

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> Potioncat wrote:
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> 
> On some level, I think this explains both Tonks and Merope. It 
also 
> explains the very important theme of motherly love.
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Niru writes:

Merope was depressed. We are told (indirectly) that she couldn't 
even live for the sake of her son. I'd be more willing to believe 
that there was an actual physical reason for her death rather than 
she just willed herself dead. But does the fact that she lived 
longed enough to give Voldemort life count? Her depression was 
probably bad enough for her to not much care if she lived to care 
for him and love him and see him grow up (of course if there was a 
physical reason for her death, her will to live may not have made 
much difference). If she had lived, would Tom have become Voldemort?

Tonks was depressed in HBP. She only came out of it when Remus "saw 
the light" so to speak and got together with her. I will probably 
wonder forever why she left baby Teddy and ran off into battle. Did 
her love for Remus compel such a move? Did she feel obligated to 
fight because she was an Auror? Or did she run off because she was 
determined to do everything to try and make sure Teddy grew up in a 
better world? Or was it post-natal depression that spurred such a 
decision? 

- Niru