Submitted by Anjum Bashir, MD
College is an exciting time, but it can also be challenging and stressful. As a college student, you might be living away from family for the first time, learning to live independently, taking tough classes, missing your friends, worrying about finances, experiencing conflict in relationships, and likely getting a lot less sleep. All of these stresses can increase the risk of depression, which may explain why depression is the most common health problem for college students. In fact, about one-third of U.S. college students had difficulty functioning in the last 12 months due to depression, and almost half said they felt overwhelming anxiety in the last year, according to the 2013 National College Health Assessment, which examined data from 125,000 students from more than 150 colleges and universities.
Unfortunately, many college students who have depression aren’t getting the help they need. They may not know where to go for help, or they may believe that treatment will not help. Others do not get help because they think their symptoms are just part of the typical stress of college, or they believe there is a stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues.
However, it is vitally important for parents and students to know that depression is a medical illness with many different symptoms, including physical ones. Without treatment, depression will usually get worse and may also contribute to other health problems, while robbing students of the academic and social enjoyment and success that brought them to college in the first place. Depression can also lead to “self-medication” with high-risk behaviors that pose their own serious consequences, such as binge drinking and other substance abuse. It is especially alarming to note that depression is a major risk factor for suicide, and suicide is the third leading cause of death for teens and young adults ages 15 to 24.
Following are the most common symptoms, which many people experience for the first time during their college years:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Appetite and/or unwanted weight changes
- Aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not go away
- Thoughts of death or suicide
You can see that many of the symptoms have nothing to do with feeling sad, and it is easy to understand why symptoms of depression are simply chalked up to the typical college experience. Most people suffering from depression do not experience every symptom. If any symptoms of depression last longer than two weeks or interfere with your daily life and normal function, then it is imperative to seek help. Do not ignore how you are feeling, try to hide the symptoms, or manage it on your own. Depression is not a character flaw, and you cannot just will it away. As a college student, you’re busy, but you need to make time to get help. Parents should intervene if they suspect their child is struggling.
The first step is to talk with a doctor or mental health professional. Most colleges provide mental health services through counseling centers, student health centers, or both. These centers may offer necessary mental health services, or they may refer you to mental health care providers in the community. There are a number of very effective treatments for depression available. If you have depression, you may feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless. It is important to realize that these feelings are part of the illness. Treatment can help you feel better.
For more information on any mental illness, contact Anjum Bashir, MD at 217-422-0027. He is one of the few physicians in Central Illinois offering TMS Therapy for Depression and Quotient Testing for ADD/ADHD. His Bloomington office is located at 205 N. Williamsburg, Suite D and he also has an office in Decatur. TMS therapy is covered by many insurance companies including BCBS.