Compassion for a Princess

New Year's Day saw Japanese Crown Princess Masako return to the public eye after thirteen months in seclusion. She had withdrawn due to the stress of palace life and the constant public scrutiny which was making the once jovial woman miserable and depressed. In a rare discussion of a private matter the palace admitted that the Princess had an "adjustment disorder caused by stress". Her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, was upfront about her need for privacy and time to recuperate from the rigors of being a royal (apparently it's pretty sucky despite all the tiaras and scepters and stuff).

Of course it is hard to know what goes on inside a high-stakes organization like a royal dynasty, but it appears that this situation has been handled magnificently. The problem has been identified and openly discussed, helping both the Princess and members of the public who also suffer from depression to heal. It would be nice if they could actually bring themselves to use the word depression, but this is pretty damn good for such a notoriously taciturn family. link