Let’s Explore How Sad Sadness Is:

A Journey Through

The Abyss of Depression

Submitted by: Group 1

Members:

Jade Soberano

Niña Lorico

Colleen Perea

Stephanie Valencia

Shelene Garcia

Julene Ordoñez
 CHAPTER I

The Problem and Its Background

1.1 Background of the Study

Everyone experiences times when they feel a little bit sad. This is a normal part of being
human. Depression, however, is a medical condition which is quite different from everyday
moodiness. Most millennials nowadays suffer from regular depression. An individual experiencing
a mental disorder can often have a massive impact on his/her personal life and development.
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how a person feels, the
way a person thinks and how a person acts. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or loss of
interest in activities once enjoyed.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the highest number of depressed people. Records show
a high number of case among the youth. An individual experiencing a mental disorder can often
have a massive impact on his/her personal life and development. Depression does not have a single
cause. Several factors can lead to depression such as family problems, death or loss, personal
problems, genetics, and etc. Depression is said to be treatable and not curable.

More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may due in part because women
are more likely to seek treatment. Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering
depression include: Certain personality traits, such as low-self-esteem and being too dependent,
self-critical or pessimistic.

Diagnosis of depression starts with a consultation with a doctor or mental health specialist. It
is important to seek the help of a health professional to rule out different causes of depression,
ensure an accurate differential diagnosis, and secure safe and effective treatment.
 The death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a relationship are difficult experiences
for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such
situations. Those experiencing loss often might describe themselves as being “depressed.”

But being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving process is natural and unique
to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression. Both grief and depression
may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. They are also different in
important ways:

In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the
deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for most of two
weeks.

In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and

self-loathing are common.

For some people, the death of a loved one can bring on major depression. Losing a job or being
a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can lead to depression for some people. When
grief and depression co-exist, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without
depression. Despite some overlap between grief and depression, they are different. Distinguishing
between them can help people get the help, support or treatment they need.

Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal
circumstances.

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Almost all patients gain some
relief from their symptoms.

Before a diagnosis or treatment, a health professional should conduct a thorough diagnostic

evaluation, including an interview and possibly a physical examination. In some cases, a blood test
might be done to make sure the depression is not due to a medical condition like a thyroid problem.
 The evaluation is to identify specific symptoms, medical and family history, cultural factors
and environmental factors to arrive at a diagnosis and plan a course of action.

There are a number of things people can do to help reduce the symptoms of depression. For
many people, regular exercise helps create positive feeling and improve mood. Getting enough
quality sleep on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) can also
help reduce symptoms of depression.

Depression is a real illness and help is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast
majority of people with depression will overcome it. If you are experiencing symptoms of
depression, a first step is to see your family physician or psychiatrist. Talk about your concerns
and request a thorough evaluation. This is a start to addressing mental health needs.

Depression generally takes one of two major forms. Unipolar depression is what most people
mean when they talk about depression: an unremitting state of sadness, apathy, or hopelessness,
and loss of energy. It is sometimes called major depression. Bipolar depression, or bipolar
disorder, is a condition marked by periods of depression and periods of high-energy mania; people
swing between the two poles of mood states, sometimes over the course of days, sometimes over
years, often with stable periods in between.

The birth of a baby can trigger mood swings or crying spells in the following days or weeks,
the so-called baby blues. When the reaction is more severe and prolonged, it is
considered postpartum depression, a condition requiring treatment because it can interfere with the
ability to care for the newborn. Depression can also occur seasonally, primarily in the winter
months when sunlight is in short supply. Known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, it is often
ameliorated by daily exposure to specific types of artificial light.

Suicidal thoughts often coincide with depressive episodes, which is why it's important to be
aware of the signs if you or a loved one experiences any prolonged mood disturbance.

People are obsessed with happiness, yet we are increasingly depressed: Mental anguish is hard
on your health. People suffering from depression have three times the risk of experiencing a
cardiac event. In fact, depression affects the entire body. It weakens the immune system, increasing
susceptibility to viral infections and, over time, possibly even some kinds of cancer—a strong
argument for early treatment of depression. It interferes with sleep, adding to feelings of lethargy,
compounding problems of focus and concentration, and generally undermining health. Those
suffering from depression also experience higher rates of diabetes and osteoporosis. Sometimes
depression manifests as a persistent low mood, a condition known as dysthymia. It is usually
marked by years-long periods of low energy, low self-esteem, and little ability to experience
pleasure.

Everyone experiences an occasional blue mood. Yet clinical depression is a more pervasive
experience of repetitive negative rumination, bleak outlook, and lack of energy. It is not a sign of
personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. People with depression cannot
merely "pull themselves together" and get better.

It doesn't help when there are growing pressures in modern-day living. There is an emphasis on
early childhood achievement at the expense of free play, a cultural shift away from direct social
contact toward electronic connection, and a focus on material wealth at the expense of rich
experiences and social contact. All play a part.

However, there is some evidence that, painful as depression is, it serves a positive purpose,
bringing with it ways of thinking that force those who suffer to focus on problems as a prelude to
solving them. In effect, some researchers hypothesize that depression can help prod a person into
much needed self-awareness.
References:

 Kessler, RC, et al. (2005) Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV
Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry.
 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
Fifth edition. (2013).

 Altshuler LL, Hendrich V, Cohen LS. (1998) Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

 Rohan KJ, Lindsey KT, Roecklein KA, Lacy TJ. (2004) Journal of Affective Disorders.

 Tsuang MT, Faraone SV. (1990) The genetics of mood disorders. Baltimore, MD: Johns
Hopkins University Press.

 Tsuang MT, Bar JL, Stone WS, Faraone SV. (2004 June 3) World Psychiatry.

 Schmidt PJ, Nieman LK, Danaceau MA, Adams LF, Rubinow DR. (1998 Jan 22) New
England Journal of Medicine.

 National Institute of Mental Health. (Data from 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health.)
1.2 Statement of the Problem

Most of us doesn’t want to feel sad or down because we live in the tagline “You Only Live
Once” or “Don’t waste your time being sad. Smile and be happy”. But we cannot control these
emotions. We will never know when we will feel these. It is similar to depression. Imagine a world
without sad faces. Think of people not spending their lives crying in their rooms, thinking they’re
not enough. Depression affects over 300 million people worldwide, almost equivalent to a
country’s entire population. Yet, many aren’t seeking mental health conceptions. But if we go to
the doctor for a common flu, why aren’t we doing the same for our mental health? Knowing the
symptoms helps us to be more aware of the possible onset of depression. It also helps us recognize
if someone around us might be struggling.

This study will tackle further details about depression along with its significance, symptoms,
consequences, diagnosis, and treatment.

1. Who can be depressed?

2. Why do people get depressed?

3. How will you know if a person is depressed?

4. What are the biggest factors that lead to depression?

5. What can be done to help a person that is depressed?

1.3 Significance of the Study

One out of five people experiences mental health issues, so why aren’t we talking about it?
The researchers aims to shed light on mental health issues through real life stories, impactful
content and creating conversations around the topic. As its worst, depression can lead to
suicide. Nobody chooses to be depressed. Telling someone with depression to “get over it” is
like telling someone with a broken ankle to continue walking normally.

The researchers will benefit the most out of this study. They will become aware how serious
mental disorders are and how hard do people experience these. The purpose of this study is to
investigate brain changes in adolescents who are currently experiencing depressive symptoms
and have a family history of disorders. The researchers’ purpose is to examine the relationship
between emotion and memory. They want to know and help a lot of depressed people because
depression nowadays is alarming like what type of depression they are feeling, what they can
do to treat it. They know most of the reason why people are depressed are because of problems
and financials.

The researchers conducted this study for the sake of increasing and advancing our
knowledge base. Our purpose is to be informed and help people diagnosed with depression.

The researchers will help people to understand what depression is with this study. The
people, in general, and the readers of this study. Because the study gives deep meaning and
clarification of the mental disorder, it will benefit not only the researchers but also the readers
or people in a society.
 The study benefits the community by helping the people educate about the mental disorder.
The people in a community will have knowledge of the same disorder and help make it less in
a society. The people will be at one nation helping to treat depression.

For future researchers, this study provides full content of Depression as a serious mental
disorder. This will benefit the future researchers’ study if they will conduct the same subject
or context. It will help future researchers and serve this study as their guide for their future
study.

This study is conducted to help everyone, in general, to understand what depression really
is and not just a “mental disorder”. This is to open the eyes of the people in a community in
society that depression is serious and not just a shallow sickness.
1.4 Assumptions of the Study

1.4.1 The researchers helps people who are depressed so they can understand their situation and
not just to ignore such mental health issues.

1.4.2 The researchers encourages people to help and respect depressed people and not to belittle
them.

1.4.3 Helping depressed people how they can treat or overcome their illness to avoid their loss,
or for them to commit suicide. Everyone, including the researchers, could be aware on
what is happening with other people around us, and to realize that we could help them in
little ways.

1.4.4 The researchers understands how the brain processes information in Major Depressive
Disorder by understanding how interference is resolved in perceptual, memory, and motor
processes. This may help them understand ruminative processes among depressed
individuals.

1.4.5 The researchers knows deeply about depression, to be aware and to take mental illness
seriously.

1.4.6 The whole study teaches the researchers about mental disorders and its branches.
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study focuses on the opinion of Grade 11 Senior High School students in STI College Bacoor
who are experiencing Major Depression. The approximate number of respondents that is needed
to conduct this study is fifty (50) respondents. The research will be conducted at the Second
Semester under the subject Practical Research 1 at Bacoor City, Cavite to be done in the month of
March in the year 2019.
1.6 Definition of Terms

Abyss – an immeasurably deep gulf or great space; intellectual or moral depths.

Belittle – to speak slightly of.

Depression – Is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and can lead to a variety
of emotional and physical problems.

Diagnose – to recognize.

Disorder – to disturb the regular or normal functions of.

Grief – a deep and poignant distress cause by or as if bereavement.

Interference – the act or process of interfering.

Perceptual – relating to, or involving perception especially in relation to immediate sensory

experience.

Pessimistic – relating to, or characterized by pessimism.

Psychiatrist – a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.

Ruminative – to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly.

Suicide – the act or an instance of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.