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- Story Listed as: True Life For Teens
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Death / Heartbreak / Loss
- Published: 04/19/2018
According to mental health statistics, it is estimated that one in six people in the past week have experienced an aspect of depression or anxiety. Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged 5 to 16 in the UK are anxious and depressed. Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you are depressed, you feel persistently sad for weeks or months (rather than just a few days). Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They are wrong. It is a real illness with real symptoms.
Alice knows this fact all too well.
It started a few years ago. Her best friends were going to a party. They didn’t invite her. It was only afterwards that she realised they had spent the whole evening spreading rumours about her. From then on, it felt like she had spiralled into a rabbit hole. No escape. Like obsidian tendrils clinging aggressively, the darkness crippled her.
What was when a friendly smile transformed into a downcast frown. What was when an enchanting mind transformed into a pit of misery. What was once a popular child… now a lonely figure.
With the passing of each cheerless day, she would try to keep this sorrowful secret hidden from her parents. Teachers would enquire, but she would always reply with a smile.
“I’m fine…”
Yet, inside she knew she wasn’t.
So-called friends would mock and tease her. They would tell her to toughen up. She was told to pull herself together. But she couldn’t. It wasn’t that simple.
Confused and alone, Alice would put herself down with every little thing she did and said.
Frustrated and upset, Alice would cry herself to sleep each night, wishing she could be better.
Abandoned and ridiculed, Alice would be tormented due to her bleak outlook.
“You’re late, honey!” called her mother sympathetically.
She had been late every day this past month. No energy from crying herself to sleep, she tried to heave herself off her damp pillow. Like a pile of weights, the blanket pressed her down. It was a battle she didn’t have the heart to win. Her heavy eyes glance pitifully around her dishevelled room; what had once been so angelically neat, was now a cave of despair.
“Alice! I made your favourite: Pancakes!”
Reluctantly, she clambered from the security of her bed. Although she had no interest in food, she could not afford to break her mother’s heart – not when her own was already shattered. Tiptoeing down the stairs, she found her way to the kitchen table.
Her mother smiled encouragingly. That smile triggered it. The last line of her defences. Worthless. Crushed. Tears formed in her eyes; they sparkled like diamonds in the snow. She let out a sob and started to cry. She needed help, but she felt like a burden to ask.
Rushing over, her mother swept her up into her arms and hugged her.
“I’ll never let go. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Down The Rabbit Hole(Alice Lewis)
According to mental health statistics, it is estimated that one in six people in the past week have experienced an aspect of depression or anxiety. Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged 5 to 16 in the UK are anxious and depressed. Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you are depressed, you feel persistently sad for weeks or months (rather than just a few days). Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They are wrong. It is a real illness with real symptoms.
Alice knows this fact all too well.
It started a few years ago. Her best friends were going to a party. They didn’t invite her. It was only afterwards that she realised they had spent the whole evening spreading rumours about her. From then on, it felt like she had spiralled into a rabbit hole. No escape. Like obsidian tendrils clinging aggressively, the darkness crippled her.
What was when a friendly smile transformed into a downcast frown. What was when an enchanting mind transformed into a pit of misery. What was once a popular child… now a lonely figure.
With the passing of each cheerless day, she would try to keep this sorrowful secret hidden from her parents. Teachers would enquire, but she would always reply with a smile.
“I’m fine…”
Yet, inside she knew she wasn’t.
So-called friends would mock and tease her. They would tell her to toughen up. She was told to pull herself together. But she couldn’t. It wasn’t that simple.
Confused and alone, Alice would put herself down with every little thing she did and said.
Frustrated and upset, Alice would cry herself to sleep each night, wishing she could be better.
Abandoned and ridiculed, Alice would be tormented due to her bleak outlook.
“You’re late, honey!” called her mother sympathetically.
She had been late every day this past month. No energy from crying herself to sleep, she tried to heave herself off her damp pillow. Like a pile of weights, the blanket pressed her down. It was a battle she didn’t have the heart to win. Her heavy eyes glance pitifully around her dishevelled room; what had once been so angelically neat, was now a cave of despair.
“Alice! I made your favourite: Pancakes!”
Reluctantly, she clambered from the security of her bed. Although she had no interest in food, she could not afford to break her mother’s heart – not when her own was already shattered. Tiptoeing down the stairs, she found her way to the kitchen table.
Her mother smiled encouragingly. That smile triggered it. The last line of her defences. Worthless. Crushed. Tears formed in her eyes; they sparkled like diamonds in the snow. She let out a sob and started to cry. She needed help, but she felt like a burden to ask.
Rushing over, her mother swept her up into her arms and hugged her.
“I’ll never let go. Tell me what’s wrong.”
JD
05/12/2018A lot of people experience depression, and it really helps when you're feeling down to know that you are not alone and that someone cares. Thanks for sharing your story, Alice. And congratulations on being chosen as the Story STAR of the Week! :-)
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Kevin Hughes
05/10/2018Alice,
You educated a whole lot of folks with this short poignant story. And for folks who are facing the daily grind of depression, you expressed both their feelings, and their situation - beautifully. They know they are not alone. And the love it takes to fight your depression so as to not hurt those around you that you love- borders on heroic. Thanks for this. Smiles, Kevin
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