GED0101 18 CE Outline November 28, 2019

Depression: The Person behind the Façade

Joanna Gabrielle M. Cruz

Depression starts off as a feeling of sadness until it causes the life of a person. It is a
serious case as it negatively affects an individual’s capability and emotion. Sadly, majority
of the Filipino adolescents are experiencing this. Simply, because in this stage,
adolescents are still starting to learn how to have emotional stability. The people around
us are secretly struggling with this inner turmoil and it is very hard to notice. The cause
of depression among Filipino adolescents is due to the fact that in today’s world,
Perfectionism, is powerful and so are the expectations that comes along with it.

The environment all around affects a person’s state of well-being. The parents are a big
contributor to the upbringing of an individual, which is why the pressure that some
parents give to their children affects them mentally to do better. Adolescents are expected
to do well and that is why the pressure is overbearing because when the goals are not
achieved, the fear of disappointment strikes immediately. Today, adolescents are
somehow required to be good at everything because with just one simple mistake, society
will not hesitate to judge each and every detail, treating it as a whiny excuse in life even
when it is not.

The lack of emotional support as an individual struggles causes a feeling of loneliness. In

this life, a person, despite their strong personalities, needs a shoulder to cry on, an ear
that will listen, and a hug that can comfort. Nobody wants to be left behind. When it does
happen, the surge of loneliness attacks the individual, making him isolated. Friends are
essential to adolescents since it is the age where one is easily swayed by temptations
that can destroy an individual. At this age, a person needs someone who can guide them
to better possibilities.

Another cause of depression is also when you encounter an event that could lead to a lot
of stress. These events can change a person’s life and perspective. Like, losing someone
important in your life, bullying, failure in meeting expectations and more. Simply, because
these events harbor a despairing emotion. Depression doesn’t start immediately though,
it takes you little by little. Not even noticing that you are already in the deep end.
Depression takes control of an individual’s mind, it steers the wheel and takes him/her
far away from everyone that loves them and convinces them that they are not good
enough. That’s what depression does.

Insomnia is an effect of depression. When a person goes to bed, instead of sleeping the
whole night, they end up thinking about a lot of things and it is mostly negative.
Depression takes over the mind and despite that it is only within an individual, it feels as
if it’s so loud, constantly repeating the bad thoughts again and again and again.
Therefore, the chance to rest and sleep after a tiresome day, is not fulfilled. The lack of
sleep also adds into the effects of depression and causes an uncomfortable feeling of
inconvenience.

Not only does it stop with restless nights but also with harmful frights. The intense feeling
of fear causes panic to one’s self and uncontrollably dominates with the thought to harm
the self. Using pain is a way for others to feel something from the numbness to distract
themselves from anxiety or depression. A person always ends up criticizing
himself/herself at the end of the day, despite even having a perfectly fine day because
those suffering from depression, can’t find the will to be happy. They just can’t. Simply,
because it is hard to do so.

As it affects the physical and mental state of a person therefore changing the behavior
towards sleep and the harmful thinking to the self, it also affects the attitude toward
food. Food is an essential need in our everyday lives. It gives nourishment to the body
so when we are lacking this essential need, we are bound to lose a lot of energy. Lack of
food can result to fatigue, therefore destroying the productive way of thinking for
adolescents. Doing school projects and attending school despite the aforementioned
effects is truly praiseworthy because for a depressed person, it’s even hard to get out of
bed.

If the situation is getting out of hand, it is best to consult to a therapist. A professional

in handling this kind of situations is recommended for a more open conversation. When
one gets the chance to finally express their thoughts, much more so with the other party
being understanding, the burdens that filled them to the brim will all be released and that
is a good progress. The occasional need of social communication is important to be
entertained because talking to someone about the battles that you’re facing is a big stress
reliever.

With this, the time to start thinking positively have to continuously progress. Finding the
goodness in things and changing one’s perspective in life is an amazing step to attaining
a healthy state of mind. Depression might not totally be healed but atleast a cure was
figured out. As a Filipino adolescent begin in their journey for a new leaf, they start to
join activities that removes him/her from strenuous thoughts and diminishes all the
negative aura.

It is a challenge for a depressed person to do exercises or eat a lot of food since it affects
both. It is a hard cycle to break but one could start with stretching for five minutes and
increasing the pressure bit by bit. According to Harvard Health Publishing, exercise
improves sleep, releases endorphins, and supports nerve cells to grow. It is also important
to have a good amount of nutrients within the body to regulate blood flow and receive
good energy.
It is to be understood, not only for Filipino adolescents, but also to everyone that this
mental disorder should not be taken lightly. Everyone of us varies from how we manage
our problems and one should help one another than degrading others for even feeling
that way. This disorder cannot be avoided most especially to the Filipino adolescents but
it can be cured, you just need to ask for help. Every student should be informed about
how to deal with depression in order to avoid the dangerous consequences of depression.