Facts about
Depression
- Depression affects over 19 million American adults
annually, including college students. At colleges nationwide, large
percentages of college students are feeling overwhelmed, sad, hopeless
and so depressed that they are unable to function.
- According to a recent national college health
survey, 10% of college students have been diagnosed with depression and
including 13% of college women.
- Anxiety disorders affect over 19 million American
adults every year, and anxiety levels among college students have been
rising since the 1950’s. In 2000, almost seven percent of college
students reported experiencing anxiety disorders within the previous
year. Women are five times as likely to have anxiety disorders.
- Eating disorders affect 5-10 million women and 1
million men, with the highest rates occurring in college-aged women.
- Suicide was the 8th leading cause of
death for all Americans, the third leading cause of death for those aged
15-24 and the second leading killer in the college population in 1998.
- According to the Federal Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.8% of men and 12.3% of women ages 18-24
report frequent mental distress- a key indicator for depression and
other mental disorders.
- College students are feeling more overwhelmed and
stressed than fifteen years ago, according to a recent UCLA survey of
college freshman. More than 30% of college freshman report feeling
overwhelmed a great deal of the time. About 48% of college women report
feeling frequently overwhelmed.
What is a
Depressive Disorder?
A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the
body, mood and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the
way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A
depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign
of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” am
get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or
years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from
depression.
Types of
Depression
Major Depression: Manifested by a
combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study,
sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities.
Dysthymia: A less severe type of
depression, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but
keep one from functioning well or from feeling good.
Bipolar Disorder: Also called
manic-depressive illness, is characterized by cycling mood changes, severe
highs and lows. Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid but most
often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have
any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic
cycle, the individual may be overactive, over talkative and have a great
deal of energy.
Symptoms of
Depression and Mania
Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and helplessness
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Insomnia, early-morning awakening or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight
gain
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
that were once enjoyed
Poor judgment
Inappropriate social behavior
Causes of
Depression
- Biological- People with depression
typically have too little or too much of certain brain chemicals, called
“neurotransmitters.” Changes in these brain chemicals may cause, or
contribute to, clinical depression.
- Cognitive- People with negative thinking
patterns- people who are pessimistic, have low self-esteem, worry to much or
feel they have little control over life events- are more likely to develop
clinical depression.
- Genetic- A family history of clinical
depression increases the risk for developing the illness. However, clinical
depression can also occur in people who have had no family members with
depression.
- Situational- Difficult life events,
including the death of a loved one, divorce, financial problems, moving to a
new place or significant loss, can contribute to clinical depression.
- Co-occurring- Clinical depression is
more likely to occur along with certain medical illnesses, such as stroke,
heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes
and hormonal disorders. This is called “co-occurring depression.”
- Medications- In addition, some
medications for various medical illnesses can actually cause clinical
depression. That’s why it is also important to tell your doctor about al the
medications you are taking.
Treatment
No one should have to live with depression. Left untreated,
the disorder can grind life to a standstill, sometimes even resulting in
suicide. With appropriate treatment, depression does go away. Depression is not
a sign of inner weakness; it is a disease. And like other diseases, it can be
fought and beaten.
Once a person is diagnosed with depression treatment can
begin. Treatments vary depending on the type and each type requires a slightly
different approach to treatment. Some treatment options include:
- Psychotherapy
- Support Groups
- Medication/Antidepressants
- Natural Remedies
- Hypnosis
- Meditation
- Exercise
- Any Combination of the above
Tips on Dealing
with Depression in College
- Carefully plan your day. Make time every day to
prioritize your work. Prioritizing can give you a sense of control over what
you must do and a sense that you can do it.
- Plan your work and sleep schedules. Too many students
defer doing important class work until nighttime, work through much of the
night, and start every day feeling exhausted. Constant fatigue can be a
critical trigger for depression. Seven or eight hours of sleep a night is
important to your well-being.
- Participate in an extracurricular activity. Sports,
theater, fraternities and sororities, the student newspaper—whatever
interests you—can bring opportunities to meet people interested in the same
things you are, and these activities provide welcome change from class work.
- Seek support from other people. This may be a roommate
or a friend from class. Friendships can help make a strange place feel more
friendly and comfortable. Sharing your emotions reduces isolation and helps
you realize that you are note alone.
- Try relaxation methods. These include meditation, deep
breathing, warm baths, long walks, exercise—whatever you enjoy that lessens
your feelings of stress and discomfort.
- Take time for yourself every day. Make special time
for yourself—even if it’s only for 15 minutes a day. Focusing on yourself
can be energizing and gives you a feeling of purpose and control over your
life.
- Work towards recovery. The most important step in
combating depression and reclaiming your college experience is to seek
treatment. Your physician should communicate to you that remission of
symptoms should be your goal and work with you to determine whether
psychological counseling, medication or a combination of both treatments is
needed.
Information derived from the National Mental Health Association and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Where do I get help?
· Midlands Technical College Counseling Services Office (free to all MTC students)
Beltline Student Center Room 239- (803)738-7636
Airport Student Center Room 237- (803) 822-3505
Take a confidential online depression screening
· Palmetto Health Richland Springs- free and confidential
assessments
(803) 434-4800
· Lexington County Mental Health- 24 hour crisis phone
services
(803) 739-8600,
1-800-647-2066
· Richland County Mental Health, Suicide Hotline
24-hour support by calling
1-800-SUICIDE
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