DISCONNECTION MAY LEAD TO DEPRESSION

CLARE ANNE SOCORRO N. DUNGO

Almost all of us may feel low at a certain point, especially when experiencing a disturbing vent in our lives. Depression may strike at any age. According to Health & Wellness Library, depression is not a sign of weakness. It is an illness with physiological as well as psychological causes.

Some factors why people especially teenagers feel depressed is because of disconnectedness and broken relationships caused by the internet and influence of media. Because of social media, people (most likely, teenagers) tend to be stressed and pressured resulting to their eagerness to be the person they aren’t. At some point, we compare ourselves to others that make our life complicated and ungrateful. Contributing elements to depression to adolescents also include the absence of parental guidance, high expectations for school achievements, and lack of belongingness due to misperception of the true value of friendship and/ or relationship.

Symptoms of a person suffering from depression may include the following: (1) persistent sadness, pessimism; (2) feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness or helplessness; (3) loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities; (4) difficulty concentrating; (5) insomnia or oversleeping; (6) weight gain or loss; (7) fatigue or lack of energy; (8) anxiety, agitation, irritability; (9) thoughts of suicide or death; (10) social withdrawal or isolation from family and friends; (11) drug or alcohol abuse, drop in school performance; and (11) slow speech and movements.

Treatments such as therapy – conventional and alternative – are available for depression. Treatment may differ according to severity and cause. However, there are also studies which prove that having good healthy habits, proper diet, exercise, vacations, no overwork, and most especially a strong support system – family and friends – may prevent depression.

--oOo—

The author is a Teacher I, Pampanga High School