Grey Weeks – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
From the book – Chapter 9: Depression and Low Mood
Grey Weeks
Kavya, sixteen, used to dance in her room and chat for hours with her cousin in Chennai. Over the last two months she stopped answering calls, quit her dance class and began sleeping through weekend afternoons. Her marks fell. When her mother asked what was wrong, she said, "Nothing. I'm just tired," and closed the door.
Her father thought it was laziness and lectured her about wasting her talent. Kavya felt worse. She told her diary she was 'useless' and a burden. She was eating very little, irritable one day and numb the next, and she had stopped looking forward to anything.
What this story explains
This story shows how depression differs from normal sadness and how it shows up in young people.
How to recognise it
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Low or irritable mood most of the day for two weeks or more.
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Loss of interest in things once enjoyed, withdrawal from friends.
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Changes in sleep, appetite and energy; trouble concentrating; school marks falling.
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Feelings of worthlessness, guilt or being a burden.
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In teenagers, irritability and anger can show more than sadness.
What to do
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Sit down privately and say what you have noticed with kindness.
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Listen without lecturing, correcting or comparing.
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Keep sleep, meals and a little daily movement going.
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Help her return to one small activity she used to enjoy.
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Involve the school counsellor and a doctor early.
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Ask directly and calmly whether she has thoughts of not wanting to live, and if yes, stay with her and contact the local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital.
Do and don’t
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Take her seriously. | Do not say 'snap out of it'. |
| Spend regular quiet time together. | Do not call it laziness or attention-seeking. |
| Keep routines gentle and steady. | Do not punish for withdrawn behaviour. |
| Praise small efforts. | Do not compare with others. |
| Stay patient; recovery has ups and downs. | Do not leave serious talk of self-harm unattended. |
Read the full chapter – Chapter 9: Depression and Low Mood
Stories from real life
- The Quiet Farmer – Ramesh, fifty-one, farms three acres near Nagpur. After two poor harvests and a loan he cannot repay, he has become silent and short-tempered. He no longer…
- After the Baby – Fatima gave birth to a healthy girl six weeks ago in Dubai, far from her mother in Karachi. Everyone says she should be happy. Instead she…
- Grandfather Stops Reading – Joseph, seventy-three, lives with his son's family in Kochi. Since his wife died last year and his knees stopped him from his daily walk, he has…
- The Message at Midnight – Daniel, twenty-four, lives in Leeds and shares a flat with two friends. He has lost his job, his relationship ended, and for weeks he has barely…
More on this topic: Depression and low mood – signs, causes and the way back
More questions
- The Quiet Farmer – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- After the Baby – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- Grandfather Stops Reading – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- The Message at Midnight – what this story teaches, the signs and what to do
- What can we learn from the story “Sunita, Age 45”?
- What is the difference between normal sadness and depression?
- What are the signs of depression?
- What are the types of depression?
- What causes depression?
- Depression across age groups – what to know about depression
- Is it sadness or depression? The signs to look for
- What can I do for myself when I feel low?