<p>All I can say is that everything happened exactly like that. I didn't exaggerate anything one bit, if anything I left some stuff out. </p>
<p>And doubleplay is right, I completely played down the situation to my parents because, once again, I thought I could handle it and I didn't want them overreacting.</p>
<p>Hotpiece - thank heavens you were in a suite with four girls! If you had (or anyone else) had been this young woman's only roommate, the pressure would have been unbearable. At least you had each other to verify what was happening. I can't imagine how you survived your freshman year at Harvard with the stress of rooming with a someone who was clearly emotionally disturbed. All I can say, is that no matter what other situation you face in your life, you will know that you are strong enough to weather just about anything. As someone who has worked in the mental health field, you have my admiration. You were there to be a roommate, not a social worker, psychologist, supervisor, etc. Any thoughts you have in retrospect as to what you might have done differently should be dismissed - people who are highly trained and well paid might have also misjudged the seriousness of the situation. </p>
<p>I am so relieved to hear that your mom was willing to step in and make sure that you did not have to endure another year like the one you described. I also fervently hope that the university or the young woman's parents insist that she get the help she so clearly needs.</p>