Most know depression as just a mood disorder that negatively impacts our mental state. But it can also change academic performance for the worse.
When I was struggling with mood issues during college, I abstained from attending classes more frequently than I would have wanted to. Fortunately, the depression was mild enough that I could function adequately to get my occupational therapy degree without any trouble.
Here’s why and how:
Why does depression affect academic performance?
Depression alters brain function in areas involved in decision-making, memory, and attention.
Unfortunately, these sections are also crucial for achieving academic success.
The emotional toll of psychological issues may make it hard to focus on education when students are overwhelmed by sadness, anxiety, or frustration.
Depression often coexists with physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues, further hindering a student’s ability to perform intellectually.
Depression could strain relationships with family, friends, and teachers.
This reduces the emotional and practical support a student might otherwise rely on.
Mood disorders are associated with elevated cortisol levels, which can impair memory and learning processes in the brain over time.
Depression affects areas responsible for memory, focus, and emotional regulation, such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala.
Sadly, all the above are vital for learning and performing well scholastically.
Psychological struggles can create a feedback loop where poor performance leads to self-blame, further decreasing motivation and performance.
It may erode a student’s sense of purpose or long-term goals, making it harder to stay motivated for studies that seem unrelated to immediate needs and desires.
Students with depression might perceive constructive criticism as a personal failure, which can discourage them from seeking feedback or improving their work.
These problems regularly make students feel misunderstood or disconnected, reducing their willingness to collaborate, ask for help, or build supportive relationships with teachers and classmates.
Depression frequently leads to difficulties managing finances, securing basic needs such as food and housing, or maintaining part-time jobs, which indirectly changes their ability to concentrate on their research.
How depression influences academic performance
It often leads to difficulties with concentration and memory, making it challenging to absorb and retain information during classes or when studying.
Persistent fatigue and lack of energy lower students’ ability to attend classes, participate in activities, and complete assignments on time.
Depression causes students to procrastinate or feel unable to start or complete tasks by diminishing motivation.
That’s exactly why establishing healthy, purposeful habits and becoming disciplined is so important.
Sleep issues, such as insomnia or oversleeping, disrupt a student’s routine, leading to missed classes and reduced productivity.
Mental disorders frequently trigger individuals to withdraw socially, making group work, presentations, or seeking help from teachers or peers more difficult.
Feelings of hopelessness, self-doubt, and a sense of inadequacy can undermine the required confidence needed to perform.
Students with depression may skip classes or even drop out of school due to the devastating nature of their symptoms.
Depression impairs executive functioning, which includes skills such as planning, organizing, problem-solving, and managing time effectively.
These abilities are crucial for academic success, particularly in handling multiple assignments and deadlines at the same time.
It can stifle the ability to approach problems from different angles.
This regularly decreases performance in subjects requiring innovation, such as writing, design, or research projects.
Depressed students may find it harder to cope with academic pressure, exams, or large workloads, leading to higher stress levels that aggravate their symptoms.
Mental illnesses often negatively impact participation grades and overall engagement by making students reluctant to speak up in class or engage in discussions.
Students with mental struggles may avoid difficult tasks, challenging subjects, or even social interactions.
That can cause a cumulative decline in educational progress.
Depression can make it harder for students to switch between different learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic) or embrace new methods of instruction by interfering with our ability to adapt.
How to deal with the impact of depression on our ability to study
Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and, if needed, medication can help manage symptoms.
Schools may provide counseling services, accommodations (extended deadlines), and support groups to help carry the load.
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep help to ease some detrimental symptoms.
Breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable steps makes academic responsibilities feel less insurmountable.
Training teachers to recognize and support students with depression helps identify issues early and provides tailored accommodations.
Establishing peer mentoring systems provides students with emotional support and relatable guidance.
Online classes, asynchronous learning, or self-paced courses can reduce stress for students struggling with mental difficulties.
Teaching stress reduction techniques like mindfulness or meditation helps to manage depressive symptoms and improve concentration.
Conclusion
Dealing with depression requires a varied approach since it impacts so many facets of our lives.
Nevertheless, students can regain or establish their academic footing with the right support.
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