Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
1

DEPRESSION, SELF-PITY, ANXIETY AND STRESS:

A CASE STUDY OF A MENTALLY ABUSED TEENAGER

A Case Study

Presented to the

Faculty of Teresa National High School

Teresa, Rizal

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research 1

JOHN YFEL S. UNDAG

REGINE MAY B. FLORES

IRAMAE D. FIGUEROA

AVIGEL U. MEJICA

March 2020
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
2

Introduction

Psychology is the science of behavior and mind. Psychology includes the

study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feeling and thought.

It is an academic discipline of immense scope. Psychological abuse, often

called emotional abuse, is a form of abuse, characterized by a person subjecting

or exposing another person to behavior that may result in psychological trauma,

including anxiety, chronic depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. It is often

associated with situations of power imbalance in abusive relationships, and may

include bullying, gaslighting, and abuse in the workplace. It also may be

perpetrated by persons conducting torture, other violence, acute or

prolonged human rights abuse, particularly without legal redress such

as detention without trial, false accusations, false convictions and

extreme defamation such as where perpetrated by state and media. It can

include anything from verbal abuse and constant criticism to more subtle tactics

such as intimidation, manipulation, and refusal to ever be pleased.

Blaming, shaming, and name calling are a few verbally abusive behaviors

which can affect a victim emotionally. The victim's self-worth and emotional well

being are altered and even diminished by the verbal abuse, resulting in an

emotionally-abused victim. The reason why the researchers conduct this study is

to know the mental state of the subject because, being abused mentally is more
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
3

worse than being abused physically. This may lead to depression, anxiety, stress

and trauma, which may lead to death or self punishment.

The most early recorded mental abuse was on 1700, when a teenager

was found dead on his room with a blood written on the wall; I quit. It was later

found that the teenager was suffering from a verbal abuse from his parents that

triggered that incident. This proves that words can make an impact to a person,

and may change a person for better or for worse. The World Federation for

Mental Health (WFMH) stated that, If one is suffering from emotional abuse, he

or she should consult a psychiatrist immediately. There is no other cure for

mental related problems but ourselves.

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE

Related Literature

According to Mental Health Association (2013) Depression (major

depressive disorder) is a common and serious mental illness that

negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you

act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings

of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
4

can lead to a variety of emotional and physical

problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at

work and at home.

Depression is a very serious mental illness and can affect a

person’s ability to function at work and or at home. Fortunately,

it can be treated.

Based on Aletheia Luna (2019) It is an exaggerated sense of pity over

one’s own life, position or circumstance.  Most of us experience self-pity

throughout our lifetimes, and although it can serve to be a  self- soothing

mechanism that assists us in later accepting or changing our circumstances,

many times we make a toxic habit of it.

According to her self-pity is an exaggerated sense of pity over one’s own

life. Meaning a person that faces self-pitying can experience depression which

leads to self doubt, question its existence and worth, leading to anxiety or suicide

Based on the research of Mayo Foundation (2018) Experiencing

occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with

anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and

 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
5

persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often,

anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of

intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within

minutes (panic attacks).

According to the Research of Mayo Foundation, anxiety is a

normal part of life. But, people with anxiety disorders tend to

have frequent, intense and excessive worry and fear everyday.

According to the statement of Cleveland Clinic (2015) Stress

is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response.

The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional

responses. Stress is a normal part of life. You can experience stress from your

environment, your body, and your thoughts. Even positive life changes such as a

promotion, a mortgage, or the birth of a child produce stress.

Based on the statement of Cleaveland Clinic, stress is a normal part of our

life, it is the reaction of the body to any change that requires response.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
6

The Subject of the Study

The subject of this study is a 17 year old female Senior High School

Student, who is experiencing this kind of case. So according to the subject of the

study, she’s been suffering mental abuse from her parents everyday, treating her

like she’s worthless and deserves to die. Which is a sign of verbal abuse and

lead her to depression, self-pity, anxiety, stress and always slashing his palm as

a sign of pain she’s been suffering. Due to this, she’s always focused on

problems resulting to poor academic performance. Her family has a very high

standard regarding to academic performance, her siblings always achieve high

honor every school year which she cannot attain, making her compared to

others. She believes that, A wise person would never compare others based on

numbers. She’s a Christian who goes to church every Sunday and always wear a

smile on her face everyday because, she believes that a smile can always bring

happiness to people.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
7

Purpose of this Case Study

The purpose of the study is to spread awareness among people about

what is mental abuse? Its effects to the person’s mental and physical state and to

help student in terms of easing up their thoughts and burdens in what they’re

carrying in their mind. The researchers also want to determine the significance of

the study. The family should be the pillar of a person to grow and become what’ll

he/she become in the future. The researchers aim to give hope to those in dark

state of mind in which they give up, they have no choice but to quit. By spreading

awareness, the researchers hope that it will help those teenagers going through

hard times a little bit of courage to step up and become more braver in life. The

essential of this study is to give information and hope for those people going

through hard times.

CASE STUDY METHODOLOGY

Methodology

This case study utilized intrinsic approach. An intrinsic approach is to

study an individual subject only to understand his/her situation. The intent of this

approach is to better understand the case. This case illustrate a particular trait or

problem.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
8

The researchers used intrinsic approach in this case study; A case study of a

Mentally Abused Teenager. This case study is focus only on one subject the

researches prepared some question to the subject, that will be guide to their

answer.

The researchers looked for a subject, the subject is to be asked with a few

question by the researchers, the researchers narrates the journey of the subject

or respondents to be able to get an information about their case.

Findings

A. History of the Case

It began with the subjects parents, her family is a higher class family that
has a very high standard towards education. Her family believed that education is
the solution to each and every problem, an educated person will always do wise
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
9

things and will always success in life. That’s their belief that’s why they resent her
so much because of her average academic performance. Her average is 87
which is very good but, her family can’t even stand the fact that she wasn’t on the
Honors. Disappointment and hate was all she received since then, she’s treated
like she’s a disgrace to the family which really deals a lot of impact on her mental
state, all day she receive verbal abuse, shaming and comparing. She can’t even
eat properly because she always experience extreme anxiety, making her really
depressed. She always question her worth and existence, in her mind she
always have this thought that, what if i never even existed? Will that make them
happy? Thats what caused the mental abuse.

B. Mental Issue/ Anxiety

Based on the researchers’ observation, most of the people being mentally

abused are experiencing severe anxiety. Questioning their own worth and their
existence, leading to depression. In our case, the subject of our study is
experiencing severe anxiety and depression. As the researchers investigated, the
respondent is known to be as a friendly and jolly person. But, like most of us,
she’s experiencing severe anxiety because of her family. Treating her like a
nobody and she feels unwanted and just a burden. Everytime she’s alone at
night, she always question herself, what if she didn’t existed? Will her family be
happy? But, her friends always cheers her up, making her feel the most
important person in their lives. She always tries to hide her sadness through her
smile but, it’s very clear that you can see sadness and loneliness in her eyes.
Waiting to be heared, waiting to be noticed and waiting to be respected and love
by her parents.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
10
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
11

C. Spiritual Healing

The subject learn to heal herself through praying and faith to the Lord. The
subject believes that god heals all wounds and problems if you pray to him with
all your heart. She prays everytime she feels down, diverting herself from
problems. The researchers found out fasting may cause negative thoughts which
may lead to dark state of mind. The subject told that God is life, if you neglect life,
you neglect god. That gives her motivation to push and to strive harder, become
stronger in every situation. She believes that one day, she will become stronger.
The subject never misses Sunday Church because for her that is sacred. She
wants to connect with God through the holy bible and through prayer.

D. Psychological Counseling
The subject sometimes visit the School Guidance Counsilor to seek help
because, she only wants is to be loved and to be respected by others especially
her family. She asks for advice, guidance and other things to improve her
emotional state. Whenever she can’t really bear the weight of the burden that
she’s going through, she visits the Guidance counsilor and there she releases all
of her emotions, all of her thoughts, all of her feelings everything. Once she
leaves the room, she has a clear and refreshed mind.

E. Psychological Behavior

The subject is known to be a friendly and jolly person. She acts kind to
others because, she don’t want them to experience the thing that she
experience. She also believes that happiness is the cure to all sadness so, she
always find ways to make her happy, even in small ways. She entertain herself
through playing games, watching korean dramas, chatting her friends etc.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
12

Conclusion

In conclusion, being mentally abused is not easy. Having a dark state of

mind always is a very critical one because, one small move may lead everything
to an end. However, if you stay positive and happy despite all problems facing
life, you will make it through the challenge of life. Mental abuse shouldn’t be
taken lightly because it is a sensitive issue in which everyone can be a victim.
This includes verbal abuse and shaming, which may degrade, hurt and push a
person to its limits, which is to suicide. The respondent didn’t gave up, she
always find ways to become happy in life even though her situation is very rough.
Being shouted day by day, is very mentally tiring. That doesn’t stop her to
become happy. This case taught you that even we have problems in our family,
we shouldn’t forget that there are those people willing to accept and will be there
in your time of need. The researchers concludes this study based on the findings.

A. History of the Case

The researchers found that the subject’s family has a very high
standard in education. Failing her parent’s expectation triggered the verbal abuse
thus dealing a lot of impact on her psychological state.

B. Mental Issue/ Anxiety

The researchers found that the subject is going through difficult
times, she experience depression, stress and anxiety. Making her question her
existence. The researchers also found that she is known to be a friendly and jolly
person.

C. Spiritual Healing
The researchers found that the subject is active in church. She
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF RIZAL
TERESA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
F. Chanco St., Dulumbayan, Teresa, Rizal
13

believes that God can heal everything. The researchers investigated and found
out that she never missed out a singe Sunday Church. Her belief that God is life,
if you neglect life, you neglect god. That pushes her and gives her motivation not
to quit in life.

D. Psychological Counseling
The researchers found that the subject seeks advice from the
School Guidance Counsellor, the lessons that she receive from the Guidance
Counsellor, she really take it to the heart and treasure it. Because, she knows
one day she’ll recover from her mental state and become much more stronger
than before.

E. Psychological Behavior
The subject is known to be friendly and jolly person. Even though
she’s going through hard times she make sure that she always smile because,
she believes that smiling is a way to hide pain and sadness. The subject doesn’t
want anyone to know about what she’s been going through because, she doesn’t
want to be a nuisance and a burden to others.

The researchers conclude this study that the subject is still fighting with
herself. Because, what she’s going through is a mental warfare, the only that will
solve her current situation is herself. With the guidance of other people, believing
she’ll make it through.