Why Is My Mother Sad?

My mother used to smile more. Now she has sad days. She said she has depression.
Depression is an illness that makes a person sad. People who are depressed have days when they feel very sad. They also have days when they feel better.

I asked my mother if we could go to the park or cook together. She said she was tired.
Depression often causes tiredness. Your parent might not have the energy to do things that she used to be able to do.

My mom gets angry with me sometimes.
Sometimes people with depression lose their temper more easily.

She goes to her room and shuts the door.
Some people with depression need to be left alone for a while.

Sometimes she sleeps when there is work to be done.
People with depression sometimes need to take naps to feel better.

Depression is an illness — just like having a cold. You can’t catch depression from being around someone who is depressed. It can happen to anyone, young or old.

When I was sick with a cold, I took medicine. It made me feel better. There are many doctors in India that can treat depression. My mother takes medicine for depression.
People with depression often take tablets to help them feel better. It takes a long time for the medicine to work. Sometimes the medicine helps them feel a little bit better. Sometimes the medicine helps them feel a lot better.

 A) Depression is an illness that gives rise to different feelings. Please name and discuss different emotions/feelings.
Example: happy, sad, angry, fearful, nervous etc.

B) Your friend is often sad. You persuade her to see a psychiatrist (a psychiatrist is a doctor who treats depression).
Please make a list of what she should say to the psychiatrist. How should she describe her symptoms? You can help her by writing these symptoms down.

C)   Poem

Goodness, I am angry!
It makes me want to shout,
And stomp and wear a mean face,
To let the anger out.
Instead I use my words to say
What I am mad about.

Goodness, I am happy!
It makes me want to run,
And go wild and act all crazy,
Until the day is done.
Instead I use my words because that way
We can ALL have fun!

Audio courtesy Tara Kriplani: