Student with depression case study

Society tends to view depression as a minor condition that is self-inflicted which is not true. The symptoms of depression can persist for weeks, months and even years if not treated. Anxiety on the other hand is defined as a condition where a person has too much worry and anxiety without any particular reason (Beck et al,. 2005 ) The victim is found to be anxious all the time and blowing things out of proportion in the process. They live life with a lot of fear and dread over minor things with a very pessimistic approach with extreme cases actually resulting in diseases like hypertension (Enright, 2015). This could actually result in rapid weight gain or weight loss (Blaine, 2008). • Poor memory thus forgetting obligations and responsibilities.

This also manifests itself in learners as they tend to forget what they have been learning thus resulting in poor grades. • Acute sadness, worthlessness and even anxiety. • Insomnia at night and sleeping too much during the day. These two mood disorders manifest themselves in the learner’s lives affecting the way they behave and feel inhibiting interaction with other people which has a direct effect on their learning. Depression affects a learner’s concentration and interaction with people around them. The main subject for this study is the effect of depression on memory which reflects directly in the learner’s grades. Methodology A case study can be defined as a record of a detailed research of a specific unit of individuals with the aim of emphasising a specific issue within the unit at a given period of time (Karp, 2016).

The purpose of the case study is to bring a general understanding of a particular issue. He also ensured that the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) guidelines met the required standards. HADS is a dependable kit for the anxiety and depression screening; it can also be used during the self-assessment process in anxiety and depression for adolescents. This scale was in use during the study. Made up of 14 statements, the rating is done by choosing one of the responses whose score ranges between 0 to 3. There are 2 subscales for measuring anxiety and depression each. In the third week, the study was executed to ascertain the link between anxiety and depression. This was done by checking the learners’ alcohol indulgence levels. He prepared questionnaires as per health guidelines in the United Kingdom.

Female learners who drank more than four alcoholic drinks in one occasion and make learners who drank more than five alcoholic drinks in one occasion within the previous year were deemed to be potential alcoholics in case of depression. A sampling of another document from the learners was also conducted during the study. Out of those 30, only 15 acquired consent, 5 from each school while 10 were denied consent and there was no reply to the other 5 consent letters. He later gave 15 questionnaires to the learners which they answered conclusively. Upon computation he found the response rate for the returned and signed consent forms to be 60% for the girl's school, 50% for the boy's school and 40% for the mixed school. This made the number of a questionnaire that was analyzed to be 15.

The rate of anxiety prevalence and depression was 61. 2% while the female learners recorded a prevalence rate of 25. The most significant reported source of stress was found to be school work, rated at 81. 4 %, then uncertainties about plans at 77. For the teacher-learner relationships, this contributed the least to only 12. Some learners used some ways to cope with the stressful situation, the main method being talking to someone whose opinion they valued most. Taking substances was indicated by 27. 6% of the learners. 49% of the learners used alcohol indulgence as a coping mechanism. Only 4. 8% of the participants admitted that they were using medication prescribed by the doctor to cope with their stressful situation, at the time of the study. In simple terms, Jane was the perfect all around learner.

Her interactions with people around her were healthy and fun, considering that she was a very extroverted and energetic youngster but now she is barely the Jane they knew and loved. According to her classmates, she lost her parents in a tragic accident close to a year ago and that changed her horribly. She became less and less interactive and chose to keep to herself. She became completely irritable, where small and very minor incidents would send her off the edge. This is mainly due to ability of an electronic tablet to be a reminder for the basic things the learner needs to do. The gadget can act as an alarm clock, a diary or journal and even a learning device.

Other barriers of learning caused by depression can actually be eased by patience and counseling to help the victim pull through depression. The case study method of research was very appropriate for the research as it helped the researcher to not only understand the effects of depression but it also gave him an insight into the life of one of the participants who he would be able to assist. The methodology and findings brought the researcher to a conclusion that depression does affect the concentration and memory of learners. Blaine B. (2008), Does Depression Cause Obesity? A Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies of Depression and Weight Control. SAGE Journals Bryman A. (2012), Social Research Methods, Oxford Publishers Djick V. J. and Powell T. J (2015), Anxiety and Stress Management.