Depression in College

Starting college can be a big step in people’s lives. It’s their first time away from home and they are on their own.
Most college students may feel sad, lonely, or depressed because of this. Feeling depressed is a normal reaction to any kind of loss, life struggle, or an injured self-esteem.
When these feelings become overwhelming and last for long periods of time, they can keep someone from leading a normal and active life. This is when it is time to seek medical help.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of depression include having difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions; fatigue and decreased energy; feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, and/or pessimism; insomnia or excessive sleeping; irritability; restlessness; loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once pleasurable to partake in, including sex; overeating or appetite loss; persistent aches or pains including headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment; persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings; thoughts of suicide, or suicide attempts.
Depression carries an extremely high risk of suicide.
Warning signs of suicide with depression include a sudden switch from being very sad to being very calm or appearing to be happy, always talking or thinking about death, clinical depression that gets worse, making comments of being hopeless, talking about suicide, and saying things such as “It would be better if I wasn’t here.”
Suicide is the second leading cause of death, following accidents, among the youth and young adults in the United States.
According to WebMd.com, it is estimated that 500,000 teens attempt suicide every year, with 5,000 teens succeeding.
There are different types of depression, major and chronic being the most common.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression—also referred to as clinical depression—is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities.
Chronic depression—also known as dysthymia—is characterized by long-term symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person’s ability to live a normal life, but it can prevent normal functioning or feeling well.
Durward Craig Sr, a mental health counselor at Southern University, explains the difference between depression in students.
“There’s a difference in a diagnosis of depression, and depression according to a situation a student may be going through,” said Craig.
“We do deal with symptoms of depression, but the majority actually isn’t freshman, it’s mostly upperclassmen.”
Craig explains that the majority of freshman aren’t the ones who go through depression symptoms, and that it’s actually majority upperclassmen.
“The core curriculum starts cracking down and they may have social or family issues going on,” said Craig.
Depression can be an extremely serious medical condition, and it is important to seek help.
To learn more about depression, visit the National Institute of Mental Health’s website at www.NIMH.com.
To receive help about depression or symptoms of depression, visit the counseling center located at the back of campus.