Depression and College

What is Depression?

People have happy times and sad times.  If sadness lasts for weeks or begins to affect your everyday life it might be depression.  If at least two of the symptoms listed below occur for at least two weeks, it is time to consider getting help.  Depression can affect your body, mood, thoughts, behavior, eating habits, feelings, your ability to work and study, and your interactions with people.  Depression is NOT a weakness; it is a condition that can be treated.

Three types of Depression

1)     Major depression – a combination of the following symptoms that interferes with your everyday life.

Symptoms of Major Depression

·         Sadness, anxiety, or “empty” feelings

·         Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”

·         Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities

·         Sleep disturbances (insomnia, oversleeping, etc)

·         Appetite changes and weight change (either loss or gain)

·         Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness

·         Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

·         Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering

·         Irritability or excessive crying

·         Chronic aches and pains not explained by other physical condition

2)     Dysthymia – less intense than major depression but still affects your everyday life.

3)     Bipolar illness (or manic-depressive illness) – cycles of depression and then elation, perhaps repeating. 

                                                                            Mood swings can change quickly or they can last weeks.

What causes depression?

Depression tends to be hereditary; however, those without a prior family medical history of depression may also develop it.  Stress has a major impact on depression.  Psychological and environmental stressors contribute to depression. Having a low self-esteem or a pessimistic view of life (or negative view) might also lead to depression. 

Depression and College

College has its own overwhelming stressors that students encounter which may be difficult to adjust to. Those include:

·         Greater academic demands

·         Being on your own, often in a new and unfamiliar place

·         Changes in family relationships

·         Financial responsibilities

·         Changes in social life

·         Exposure to new people, ideas, and temptations

·         Awareness of your sexual identity and orientation

·         Preparing for life after graduation

Drugs and alcohol make depression more severe and only add problems to the ones you are already experiencing.

Suicide:

Thoughts of death or suicide are a sign of severe depression and you need to GET HELP.  Talk to a friend or a mentor you trust or contact a professional.  There are several places you can go for help: counselors at the health center or the counseling center at universities, advisors, coaches, professors, suicide hotlines, emergency rooms, or 911.  If you are thinking about suicide GET HELP, don’t wait.

Ways to deal with depression:

You are NOT alone.  Worldwide, 121 million people are affected by depression and most people are temporarily affected at least once in their life.  It is among the leading causes of disability worldwide that can be diagnosed and treated. When stress starts in a person’s life, many people find it helpful to journal about their life, or talk about what is happening in their life.  Find a way to deal your stress that works for you.  If it becomes overwhelming, there is help. 

Talk to your doctor or someone about what you are experiencing, they can help.

Article written by: Jessica Hartman, February 2007

Resources:

The National Institute for Mental Health’s website -

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/students.cfm

The World Health Organization’s website –

http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/