DEPRESSION AMONG UITM STUDENTS

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA (UiTM), MALACCA

FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES

DIPLOMA IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA

LIB 201

PRINCIPLES OF PSYCHOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT TITLE :

MOOD DISORDER : THE STUDY OF DEPRESSION AMONG UiTM STUDENTS

PREPARED BY :

NAME STUDENT ID

HARIZ BIN FAUZI 2017635012

AIMI IZYAN BINTI DINO AFFENDI 2017634872
MUHAMMAD FAIZ BIN AZMIR 2017651026
ARIFAH ADLINA BINTI MOHAMAD YUSUF 2017634922

GROUP :
MMC1102A

PREPARED FOR :
MADAM AINI FAEZAH RAMLAN
DATE OF SUBMISSION :
JUNE 2018

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CHAPTER ONE (1)

1.1 INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND

Every one of us experiences sadness and unhappiness at some point of their lives. Clinical
depression, however, is more intense and of longer duration rather than sadness or grief , which
interferes with a person’s ability to engage in their daily activities. Most people will be affected
by depression in their lives either directly or indirectly, through a friend or family member. The
definition of depression is feelings of severe despondency and dejection. Depression causes
feelings of sadness or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of
emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and
home (Michaell Kerr, 2017)..

Depression can affect anyone . even a person who appears to live in a relatively ideal
circumstances. There are several risk factors for depression such as, Biochemistry which means
differences in certain chemicals in the brain that may contribute to symptoms for depression.
Next, is from genetics. Depression can run in families. For instance, if one identical twin has
depression , the other has at least a 70 percent chances of having the illness sometimes in life.
The third risk factor is, from personality. People with low self-esteem. Who are easily
overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience
depression (Mayo Clinic, 2013)..

Depression consists of three types, such as Major depression, Psychotic depression and
Dysthymia . First, Major depression also known as unipolar or major depressive disorder, is
characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli. Next, is
psychotic depression is a person having a several depression until the patient can’t handle it and
it will cause hallucinates .For example, he or she will see and hear the things that the normal
person can’t to see or hear it. Lastly, is Dysthymia. Dysthymia is a long-term form of depression
.The patient may lose interest in normal daily activities, feel hopeless, lack productivity, and

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have low self-esteem and an overall feeling of inadequacy. Dysthymia is also included for the
chronic list of depression (William F. Stubbeman, 2012).

BACKGROUND OF TOPIC

Depression is used to describe a range of mood from low spirits to a severe problem that
interferes with everyday life. According from that statement, depression prefer from someone
who has a problem. Depression will became bad if the patient don’t share that problem with
someone .The depression is the leading cause of disability for both males and females, the
burden of depression is 50% higher for females than male (WHO,2008). In fact, depression is the
leading cause of disease burden for women in both high-income and low- and middle-income
countries (WHO, 2008).

Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken so lightly .The
symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people .The symptoms for
depression are, the patients’ feels sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness inside .Next,
they will also feel loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies
or sports. Secondly, the symptoms also occur that the patient frequent or recurrent thoughts of
death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide (Arnold Lieber, 2000).

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent to 90 percent
of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some
relief from their symptoms. Depression can be treated through Psychotherapy or talk therapy,
which is sometimes used alone for treatment of mild depression; for moderate to severe
depression, psychotherapy is often used in along with antidepressant medications. Next , is from
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a medical treatment that are most commonly used for
patients with severe major depression or bipolar disorder who have not responded to other
treatments. It involves a brief electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under
anesthesia (Dr Jo Borrill, 2000).

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1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Depression among teenagers is extremely prevalent and widespread problem across the
country. Teen depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of
sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how the teenager thinks, feels and behaves,
and it can cause emotional, functional and physical problems. Although depression can occur at
any time in life, symptoms may be different between teens and adults. Issues such as peer
pressure, academic expectations and changing bodies can bring a lot of ups and downs for teens.
But for some teens, the lows are more than just temporary feelings which they're actually
symptom of depression. Teen depression isn't a weakness or something that can be overcome
with willpower it can have serious consequences and requires long-term treatment. For most
teens, depression symptoms ease with treatment such as medication and psychological
counselling. Other adults such as parents, siblings and family thought teen depression as
something simple and there is nothing to worry about. They thought teen depression is just a part
of “growing up”. Somehow, it could actually lead to something that is bad and negative for the
teenagers.

Hence, this study will narrow down the scope and will analyse depression among teenagers in
UiTM Alor Gajah students’ on the factors of depression, symptoms of depression and the
implications of depression.

1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1. To study the factors of depression among teenagers in UiTM Alor Gajah.

2. To study the symptoms of depression among teenagers in UiTM Alor Gajah.
3. To study the effects of depression among teenagers in UiTM Alor Gajah.

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CHAPTER TWO (2)

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1.1 HISTORY OF DEPRESSION

Depression has always been a health problem for human beings all around the world. Historical
documents written by healers, philosophers, and writers throughout the ages point to the long-
standing existence of depression as a serious health problem, and the continuous and sometimes
ingenious struggles people have made to find effective ways to treat this illness. (Natalie Staats
Reiss, S2007). Depression was initially called "melancholia". The earliest explanations of
melancholia appeared in ancient Mesopotamian texts in the second millennium B.C. At this time,
all mental illnesses were thought to be caused when someone was taken over by demons
(possession). They were then treated by priests. An isolated class of "physicians" treated physical
injuries, but not conditions like depression. The first historical understanding of depression was
that depression was a spiritual or mental illness rather than a physical one (Rashmi Nemade,
2007).

2.1.2 DEFINITION OF DEPRESSION

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It
is also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It gradually affects how you feel,
think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have
trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and most of the time you may feel as if life isn't
worth living. (Mayo clinic, 2018). Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes
severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping,
eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least
two weeks (Mental Health, 2018)

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2.1.3 SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Symptoms for depression occur in genetics and environment. How do we know genes play an
active role in in causing depression? Scientists look at the patterns of illness in families to
estimate their “heritability,” or roughly what percentage of their cause is due to genes. To do
this we find people with the disease who have a twin, and then find out whether the twin is also
ill. Identical (monozygotic) twins share 100% of their genes, while non-identical twins share
50% of their genes. If genes are part of the biggest cause, we expect a patient’s identical twin to
have a much higher risk of disease than a patient’s non-identical twin. That is the case for a
amajor depression. Heritability is probably 40-50%, and might be higher for a severe
depression.

Next, the symptoms of depression through environmental causes. Synthetic chemicals,

including food additives and preservatives, pesticides, hormones and drugs, genetically modified
foods, and industrial byproducts are bombarding our bodies. In this center, we use the term
"environmental causes" to describe environmental contributions to depressive mood disorders.
These are present in our environment in the form of air, water and food pollution. Other non-
chemical sources of environmental stress include noise pollution, electrical pollution, natural
disasters, and other catastrophic environmental events. Some, consider events like childhood
abuse, long-term stress at home or work, coping with the loss of a loved one, or traumatic events
as environmental. We classify these types of issues as social and relationship causes of
depression.

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2.1.4 FACTORS OF DEPRESSION

What cause of depression? While we don’t know exactly what causes of depression, a number
of things are often linked to its development. Depression usually results from a combination of
recent events and other longer-term or personal factors, rather than one immediate issue or event.

There are many factors that causes young people toward depression such as family history.
Which is when a certain person had a trouble with family problem like parents have a large
expectation toward their son or daughter. This kind of problem will become a great factor for
depression. Next, the research that have been made by some research say that people with low
self-confident tend to get depression (Cloninger, 1993). People that have low self-confident will
always have lots of problem and getting depressed because they can’t relax their mind. This kind
of trouble will become one of the most effective factor toward depression especially for
youngster nowadays.

2.1.5 EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION

Depression can impact every area of one’s life, including but not limited to how the patient
sleep and eat, education and career, relationships, health, and concentration. Individuals suffering
from depression often also have comorbid disorders, such as alcohol and drug abuse or other
addictions. Depression doesn’t just occur for an individual in vacuum, it can affect your friends,
family, co-workers, and everyone around you. In addition, depression may impact how you
perform at work or your levels of concentration, so it can negatively affect productivity. Leaving
depression untreated can lead to many other complications in one’s personal and professional
life. This is why it is so important to seek out for help, not just for relationships and work, but for
one’s own sake (ADAA, 2016).

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Chapter three (3)

3.1 Research Methodologies

3.1.1 Article Research

In this study for this research paper, we have decided to take the method to analyze and break
down information for readers to digest. Any information relevant to the topic “Depression
Among Teenagers” in the form of an article is included in order to fully comprehended the topic
discussed. For our references we used website, e-journals that give information for our research.

3.1.2 Library Research

For this method, we use source provided by the library for a better understanding relevant to our
topic such as psychology textbooks as well as books related to the topic “Depression”.

3.1.3 Websites

Multiple varying websites such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, ProQuest, Emerald Insight
were used to strengthen and complete our findings for this research paper. The researches use
existing material that originally collect by other different thought of researches.

3.1.4 Secondary Analysis of Existing Data

For secondary analysis of existing data, results and findings gained by professionals were
analyzed and paraphrased to fit the needs of this research paper.

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CHAPTER FOUR (4)

4.1 RESEARCH FINDING/RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1.1 FACTORS OF DEPRESSION AMONG TEENAGERS

Depression is a normal type of situation that everyone has feel it in their life and its became
common. But a lot of depression will lead to unhealthy lifestyle and it will be better if we can
avoid it. They are many factors that can lead us to depression in our daily life without us notice
it. For the first one is when we were facing a lot of trouble in our life and wanting to settle all the
problem by ourselves. This kind of situation normally happen to people in teenager until adult
cause they were in their life time to face lots of challenge in daily life. Depression happen when
the person that having lots of trouble do not want to share with other and wanting to face it alone
even though they know that the burden was way too much to handle. This is one of the major
factor of depression that need help from counseling expertise cause this coming from inner
problem and the person itself need to change it. The reason for this may be the depressed
individual ‘excessive thinking about his/her problems that will lead to negative effect. (well
2002)

The next factor is the use of medicine in improper way will lead to depression that happen in
our inner body system. Our cell in body can change our condition into a good one or a bad one.
We need to use medicine in a good way or it will lead to negative effect such as depression. If
we use too much medicine it will make our body and mind became bad. Depression will come
when we took supplement that will affect or brain. People that have depression normally happen
cause off what they consume and use in their daily life. Our body will move smooth and work
fine if we take good care and do lots of exercise it will make use relax but it will become the
opposite we take lightly about what we consume and we will easily get depressed.

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The third one is the thought and feeling of danger that will lead to depression this happen
because people that have poor control toward their feeling will always have negative ending.
People with these kinds of problem will always thought to do dangerous thing that will harm
their own self. This type of factor really dangerous cause it will something lead to death which is
worse than depression. People with these kinds of problem will need a really good care cause the
level of depression really high and terrible. Depression happen when someone can not make the
right choice and will often to choose the wrong decision. For us human need to make the right
choice that will not harm our body and mind. Each and every choice that we make will have
different result. Depression happen when we make the wrong choice and it will act as
punishment to our self. There is one researcher that make conclusion which is people's focusing
on a series of specific, recurring thoughts the contents of which are usually negative events that
are threatening for them as a result of living. Nevertheless, uncontrollability or lack of control
over thoughts will make getting feeling of danger (Nolen &Hoeksema, 2002)

The last factor is the negative belief that will lead to depression happen when people that
do not have any belief in their life will often to make the wrong decision that will make them
will depressed. In our life everyone has their own belief whether from their religion or their
ethnic or races. Every belief will have the positive effect toward our self so people that do not
have belief will easily getting depressed by their own choice in life. Belief is something that will
help us in choosing the right decision and normally it will choose the good one for the believer.
A human always need a guide that will help them in daily life. The belief of a person that not be
use in good way will make person became easily getting depress in many ways. A researcher has
concluded that people with negative belief will often get the same bad result that will lead to
depression.( yosefi and biyabangard,2008)

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4.1.2 SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AMONG TEENAGERS.

In this world, most of the people feel the depression at the times. Losing the person our love
and getting divorced with our partner are the example for lead us to scared, lonely and sad. We
must to know depression is sadness but it also will effect our life and maybe will effect our
health. But what’s are the symptoms of depression? Now let’s we find the symptoms of
depression.

Everyone in this world will feel depression and now we will see the depression in children
and teenagers. In this young age, the depression include sadness and despair. We can see the
younger will show to us the symptoms of their depression such as show their anger or avoid of
social interaction. The symptoms of depression to the younger are many homework have to
submit at tomorrow and it could be depression by their parents such as their parents always busy
with their work or their parents always fight front them. Because of that, the younger will in
depression and it will effect their life and their thinking.

For the next symptoms of depression is change the behaviour. If someone in depression we
will see that people behaviour will change such as the people keep silent and maybe his or she
want to be alone. For example like the incident happen at National Defence University of
Malaysia(UPNM), about one guys were the victims of bullying at the university until brings us
the news he death. Before his die, his close friend tell the media were the victims not like
someone his knows because his always keep silent and not eat properly.

After that, the symptom of depression is lack of interest in daily activities. If someone in
depression his or she will not have feel to do their daily activities such as work and study. They
only want to be alone because they don’t want people to disturb them. They also don’t care about
their hobby and social activities because they lost ability to feel joy and pleasure.

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Next is the people who in depression will complain more about physical ill rather than
expressing theirs mood of severe depression. In some culture in this world, the people may find
it acceptable and less stigmatising to complain of physical symptoms such as headache. It is
because some of culture take it’s seriously especially for men, the reason is who is show to
people their sad it means the people show to that’s people themselves weakness.

Last but not least is delusions or hallucinations. Some in bad depression, they will into
hallucinations. The means of hallucinations is a sensory experience of something that does not
exist outside the mind caused by various physical and mental disorder or by reaction to certain
toxic substance and usually manifested as visual or auditory images. Because of that we will see
many people always in depression will become a crazy people because they into the
hallucinations and they will see and listen the things that the normal person can’t do.

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4.1.3 EFFECTS OF DEPRESSION AMONG TEENAGERS

Depression is a normally illness and it could be negative effects towards the feelings, thinking
and acting. Yet, it can be treated. Depression can cause sadness and loss on interest in most
activities. In addition, it can lead to physical and emotional problems. (American Psychiatric
Association, 2013).

The increase in depression rates throughout the teenage years, sex differences in depression
also become apparent, the rate of depression in adolescent girls doubled in boys (Reinecke &
Simons, 2005). These gender differences were not observed in younger teens, and were believed
to have appeared between the ages of 12 and 14 (Lewinsohn et al, 1998). Nolen-Hoeksema
(2001) suggests that these gender differences arise because women are exposed to more
uncontrolled stress (eg, puberty biological changes, abuses) in the early teens of men, and due to
gender differences in how they respond and overcome stress (NolenHoexema , 2001).

However, the gender differences observed in the level of depression in the general population
are also present in intellectual disabilities (Lunsky, 2003) and may trigger higher risk increases
in women with intellectual defects, perhaps as a result of factors such as biological changes at
the time of puberty and the decreased social power, above and above experienced by all
intellectual disabilities. Teens with intellectual disabilities are at greater risk of depression than
their usually developing friends.

Besides, the other effect of depression is lead to suicidal. Construct is considered to be

burdensome and thwarts the will of the suicidal interpersonal theory (ITS; Joiner, 2005) has been
identified as a risk factor for Suicide for AIs (O'Keefe et al, 2013). The theory suggests that the
construction is perceived being burdened and thwarting belongs to a desire to commit suicide.
Perceived anxiety is the belief that a person is a burden on another person, including but not
limited to family members (Van Orden et al., 2010).

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Adolescents may experience perceptions into a burden to others through factors such as family
conflict, unemployment, and physical illness. Importantly, each of these concepts has been
identified as a risk factor for suicide. Besides, concerned concerns consist of two dimensions of
interpersonal function, the belief that self is so flawed that they are liabilities to others, and
affective cognition self-resentment (Van Orden et al, 2010). Often, the disturbed belong involves
social isolation experience and can be defined as "unnecessary needs." Furthermore, interrupted
possessions consist of two dimensions of interpersonal function: loneliness and the absence of a
balanced caring relationship (Van Orden et al., 2010). That feeling loneliness may be caused by
feelings of discontent to others, and have no affection in the relationship (Baumeister and Leary,
1995; Van Orden et al., 2010).

Next, the effect of depression among adolescents is fear. It is important to understand whether
fear has a causal relationship with behavior health results because while fear of violent crime can
cause the poor mental health outcomes, mental health issues can also lead to an increase fear.

Mental health interventions that focus on children and adolescents with the history of trauma
being implemented and evaluated within school (Stein et al., 2002; Kataoka et al., 2003, Kataoka
et al., 2006). Although these interventions acknowledge the fact that fear of crime prevented
children and adolescents from going out and participate in outdoor and school activities,
intervening themselves do not contain components related to the reduction of fear as part of the
plan to prevent and treat intermediate mental health outcomes teenagers who have been exposed
to violence.

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CHAPTER FIVE (5)

5.1 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

5.1.1 TO CREATE AWARENESS

This research is remind the public especially adolescents about having depression can harm
them. Depression includes feelings and behaviors that show that the individual is discouraged
and experiencing misfortune, thus leading to extraordinary behavior and suicidal desire. For
example, a person is lacking his/her interest in studies and doing nothing in everyday life. To
overcome this situation, adolescents need more attention and supports from their family and
teachers. The parents should give more concentration about their daughter as they need
attention from their parents. The teachers also need to encourage the students to study hard in
their studies.

5.1.2 TEACH HOW TO HANDLE DEPRESSION

After knowing some of the factors that cause depression, then we will know how to deal with
depression. For example, finding support groups or counseling groups to help alleviate the
depression problem. Other than that, arrange plans of daily activities that may be helped by a
daily task list, sticky notes as a reminder to make the plans more organized.

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5.2 RECOMMENDATION

5.2.1 COPING AND SUPPORT

Do not become isolated. Try to participate in social activities and get together with your family
or friends regularly. Support groups for people with the same mental health problem can help
one to connect to others facing similar challenges as their problem is more relatable and they can
mostly share their experiences and gain support from each other. Also, do not make and
important decision when you’re down as you are clearly not in the right mind to be making a
decision. Think carefully and wisely before you do anything that may or may not harm yourself
or others.

5.2.2 BE MINDFUL TOWARDS OTHERS

If you notice anyone showing their signs of depression, try and be nicer to them. One good deed
that you do, can actually stop them from doing anything that could be harmful. Depressed people
need to have more attention from others. They needed to be calmed by someone just because
depressed people tend to over thinks about everything and anything. Even a smallest thing that
we do, it might have a big impact for them. So, be kind to everyone, we don’t know what
problems someone are having or how big their problems are. Just to avoid any bad
consequences, be mindful of others.

5.2.3 INTERPERSONAL THERAPY

Interpersonal therapy is a highly effective treatment for depression. Relationships affect our
well-being, whether it is for better or worse. Positive changes in the ways we relate to others can
lead to a major mood boost and also can help prevent relapse. By doing this therapy, one can
share their heart-to-heart feelings about what secret that they bury inside that caused them to e
depressed.

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5.3 CONCLUSION

Finally, we managed to gather the information regarding the topic depression by working
together in a group of four. From our finding we find out that depression is a very dangerous
problem toward youngster especially that try to survive in this challenging era. Depression can
come in many way and have various type of symptom that we do not notice before. For
precautious student or youngster need to have a better control in their own daily life activities.
Depression lead to serious sickness and sometime may lead to death so we can not take it lightly
from our research we can conclude that mostly people with depression is coming from woman
than men. Depression have many level and toughness so better we take early action if we cannot
handle it alone better find someone that have skill in solving this kind of problem. The world is a
huge and big so many thing we must take everything seriously even depression that everyone
thing is nothing big but it can effect someone life so better be prepare to face world and hope we
will find a healthy life and make our life better.

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