Whats Wrong with Me? Understanding the Lived Experiences of High School Students with Manifestations of Depression

Alexander S. Acosta Ph.D., Maria Noeleen Borbajo Ed. D., Xandre Immanuel C. Acosta, Ivan Adina, Sebastian Cortez, Laurence Sanchez, Mohammed Zafar, Sheah Caceres, Bea Leal

Abstract: Background: Depression roots from various problems. It starts from an initiator, which then gradually transforms and ultimately leads to depression. Purpose: Through the understanding of the lived experiences of the high school students of Philippine School Doha with manifestations of depression, the stigmas and the flow of depression were uncovered. Method: This research study follows a phenomenological research design, which digs deep to the lived experiences, articulations, and musings of the respondents. The data were gathered through a semi-structured interview and were classified according to similar themes. Findings: Outcomeshave emerged three stigmas of depression in the life of high school students namely perfectionism, connectionism, and dysfunctionalism. Conclusion: The resulting stigmas of depression reveal the flow of depression and its slow transformation from a stigma to a manifestation then depression.

Keywords: Frustration, Depression, Adolescents, perfectionism, connectionism, dysfunctionalism