The Effects of Depression among Male College Students

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for Graduating High School Students

Submitted By
Samantha Mae Balug
Keizer Leigh Albios

Submitted To
Ms. Jocel Chavenia-Cabardo

March 2022

I. INTRODUCTION

Depression is characterized by unhappiness, loneliness, helplessness, and a lack

of interest. Massive weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue/lack of
energy, psychomotor agitation or retardation, feelings of worthlessness, excessive
guilt, inability to concentrate, thoughts of death, and suicide ideation are all possible
indications. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2013; Kessler
Et. al)

Five of the symptoms must be notable for a two-week period or longer and cause
impairment in functioning to meet the criteria for a depressive disorder. For the most
of the day, depression is also called major depressive disorder, feeling of depressed
mood or sadness, it negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you
act. It is also treatable, being sad is not the same as having depression, but sadness
can turn into depression. Depression can affect anyone, we all have times when we
feel down, but it is about more than feeling sad or fed up for a few days. It can cause
a low mood that lasts a long time and affects your daily life. It is also a mental
disorder, a mental problem encountered when we’re stress and sad, it should return to
normal within a week or a reasonable period of time but if you feel depressed most of
the time for most days of the week that is already a major depression.

Many people across the country are affected by mental health difficulties. These
kinds of obstacles aren’t new, and they’ve existed for a long time. However, in recent
years, people have become more conscious of these difficulties. The most frequent
types of mental disorders are depression and anxiety, and comorbidities is highly
common with these two disorders. Numerous people who suffer from anxiousness
also suffer from depression, and conversely. College students have been reported to
have higher rates of anxiety and depression than the overall population. (American
College Health Association, 2013; Beiter Et. al 2016).

Based on Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, depression is a mood disorder

characterized by a persistent sad or empty feeling, irritability, and a loss of interest in
everyday activities. But unlike normal sadness or grieving, most bouts of depression
last for weeks, months, or even years. Some people with depression have a chronic,
low-grade form of the condition called dysthymia. A smaller number suffer from
bipolar disorder-bouts of depression interspersed with periods of elevated (manic)
mood. (Symptoms and Remedies, 2003; Thomas Et. al)
 Women are twice as likely as males to have the illness, which is frequently
episodic. Depression affects men and women in various ways. Depressed men show
irritation, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating instead of the usual behaviors.
Sleep disturbance is a typical adverse effect among depressed men. Men are less
inclined to seek medical care and, instead of melancholy, intuitively express other
emotions such as wrath. The labeling of depression as “feminine” looks to be a great
injustice to male depression sufferers who will go undiagnosed and untreated.

Although depression is usually not considered life-threatening, it can lead to

thoughts of and attempts at suicide. As many as 70 percent of suicides in the united
states are related to depression, and up to 15 percent of severely depressed people
commit suicide. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of people with depression
can be helped by counseling (psychotherapy), antidepressant drugs, or other
therapies, thus lowering the suicide risk.

Moreover, several of the depressive symptoms are things that would have a
negative impact on academic functioning. Sleep disturbances and fatigue may make it
difficult to show up or stay awake during class. Loss of interest and perpetual
feelings of sadness may be barriers to a student being able to retain information and
do well in his/her classes. According to the author that “those engaged in cognitively
demanding pursuits are often unable to function …a precipitous drop in 14 grades
may reflect poor concentration” (p. 164). These symptoms and effects show a
connection between depression and poor academic performance. (Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2013; Kessler Et. al)

According to WHO, depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is

estimated that 5.0% of adults suffer from depression, it is a leading cause of disability
worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. They
also state that more women are affected by depression than men. Depression results
from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors.

There are many types and stages of depression, first the Persistent depressive
disorder also called dysthymia is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years.
Second is Postpartum depression, is much more serious than the “baby blues” that
many women experience after giving birth. The third is Psychotic depression, occurs
when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having
disturbing false fixed beliefs/delusions or hearing or seeing upsetting things that
others cannot hear or see hallucinations. The fourth is the Seasonal affective disorder,
is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is
less natural sunlight. And lastly Bipolar disorder is different from depression, but it is
included in this list is because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of
extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression. (World Health
Organization, May 2021; Lacko, Al-Hamzawi, Et. al)

Many people who experience depression also have other mental health
conditions. Some people who are depressed may think about hurting themselves or
committing suicide. Depression is more than just feeling down or having a bad day.
Depression often begins in the teens, 20s or 30s, but it can happen at any age. More
women than men are diagnosed with depression. Depression is a serious disorder that
can take a terrible toll on you and your family.

According to Mayo Clinic in their book entitled the factors that seem to increase
the risk of developing or triggering depression includes, certain personality traits,
such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic, second
is if they experience traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse,
the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problem. Third is
their personality and blood of relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder,
alcoholism or suicide. Fourth is being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or having
variations in the development of genital organs that aren’t clearly male or female in
an unsupported situation. The history of other mental health disorders, such as
anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder, abuse, alcohol or
drugs, serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart
disease. And lastly a certain medications, such as some high blood pressure
medications or sleeping pills, these are the factors that seems to increases the risk of
having a depression. (Mayo Clinic, Nov. 17, 2016; Rochester, Minn, Et. al)
Frame 1
“Do you detect a shift in your personality?”
References:
— https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
— https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
— https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/
depression-and-anxiety/faq-20057989