Depression

“Feeling depressed is so common among girls in my dorm that I thought it was just a normal part of college. When it got to be too much for me to handle, I went to the Counseling Center. With the counselor’s help, I’m coping with my moods much better now.”

Mary L., University of Cincinnati

Depression is the most common reason college students go to their university’s counseling service. Depression makes a person less able to manage life. It affects a person’s mood, mind, body, and behaviors.

Signs & Symptoms

A person who is depressed has one or more of the signs and symptoms listed below.

	Feeling sad, hopeless, and helpless
	Feeling guilty and/or worthless
	Thinking negative thoughts
	Having a loss of interest in things, such as social activities, hobbies, and sex.

Other Signs and Symptoms are:

	Sleeping too little or too much
	Fatigue or loss of energy
	Problems concentrating or making decisions
	Ongoing physical symptoms, such as headaches, chronic pain, or digestive problems that don’t respond to treatment
	Uncontrollable crying
	Poor appetite with weight loss, or overeating and weight gain
	Thoughts of suicide or death

The number and severity of the symptoms vary from person to person.

Causes & Risk Factors

	Major changes and stress that accompany college, including choosing career goals, leaving home, and the strain from trying to study and socialize at the same time
	Obsessing about expenses
	Abuse of alcohol, drugs, and some medications
	Relationship changes, such as break ups, a family divorce, or the death of someone close
	Brain chemical imbalances. Also, some types of depression run in families.
	Hormonal changes. This could be from taking birth control pills or using anabolic steroids, which can cause changes in mood.
	Lack of natural, unfiltered sunlight between late fall and spring. This is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It may only affect some people that are prone to this disorder.
	Holiday “blues”

Most likely, depression is caused by a mix of: Family traits; brain chemical imbalances; emotional issues; and other factors, like a medical illness, such as multiple sclerosis.

In some people, events like extreme stress and grief may cause depression. In others, depression occurs even when life is going well.

Treatment

Treatment includes medicines, psychotherapy, and other therapies that are specific to the cause of the depression. Exposure to bright lights (similar to sunlight) for depression that results from SAD can be helpful.

Questions to Ask

Have you just attempted suicide or are you planning suicide?

Have you had a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks?

Has depression interfered with daily activities for more than 2 weeks and/or have you withdrawn from normal activities during this time?

Have you been in a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, and had any 4 of the following for at least 2 weeks? Feeling slowed down or restless and unable to sit still Feeling worthless or guilty Changes in appetite or weight loss or gain Thoughts of death or suicide Problems concentrating, thinking, remembering, or making decisions Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much Loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time Headaches Other aches and pains Digestive problems Sexual problems Feeling pessimistic or hopeless Being anxious or worried

Has the depression occurred as the result of any of the following? Taking over-the-counter or a prescribed medication Using alcohol or drugs A medical problem

Are you feeling depressed now and do any of the following apply? You have been depressed before and not received treatment. You have been treated for depression in the past and it has returned. You have taken medication for depression in the past.

During holiday times, do you do one or both of the following? Withdraw from family and friends Dwell on past holidays to the point that it interferes with your present life

Does the depression come with dark, cloudy weather or winter months and does it lift when spring comes?

Self-Care

To Overcome Mild, Situational Depression:

	Be with positive people. They’ll lift your morale.
	Do something to help someone else. This will focus your attention away from yourself.
	Eat healthy foods. Eat at regular times.
	Get some physical activity every day.
	Talk to someone who will listen to the tensions and frustrations you are feeling.
	Avoid drugs and alcohol. These can cause or worsen depression.
	Do something that lets you express yourself. Write. Paint. Write your thoughts in a diary or journal.
	Relax. Listen to soft music, take a warm bath or shower. Do relaxation exercises.
	Do something you enjoy, even if you don’t feel like it. Watch a funny TV show or movie.
	Avoid stressful situations or taking on added commitments when you feel depressed.
	Don’t take over-the-counter herbs for depression, such as St. John’s Wort, on your own. Consult your health care provider first.

Feeling better takes time. Don’t expect to just “snap out” of your depression.

To Help A Friend Who Is Depressed:

	Help your friend get an appropriate diagnosis. Make an initial appointment with a professional. Offer to take your friend to the appointment.
	Do not ignore remarks about suicide. Report them, immediately, to a student advisor, teacher, or health care provider.
	Be aware of the type of medication your friend needs to take and when it should be taken. If necessary alert your friend’s health care provider about any side effects that you notice.
	Be supportive. Depression is no different from any other physical illness. It requires patience, understanding, love and encouragement.
	Encourage your friend to continue with treatment and to see his or her health care provider if there is no improvement.
	Listen with care. Encourage your friend to talk about his or her feelings. Point out your friend’s successes and attributes when he or she feels worthless, helpless, or down about the future. Helping your friend see previous successes can help give the confidence needed to continue with treatment. Your friend doesn’t need you to tell him or her what to do. Listening is very helpful.
	Encourage your friend to go out and do things with you or with others, such as to see a movie or to do things your friend enjoyed in the past.
	Don’t push, though, or make too many demands.
	Seek support from organizations (see places listed below) that deal with depression.

For Information, Contact:

Your school’s Student Counseling Services or Student Mental Health Services. (Normally, these services are no cost to you.)

National Mental Health Association
1-800-969-NMHA (6642)
www.nmha.org

National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc.
1-800-239-1265
www.depression.org

National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help
1-800-553-4539
www.mhselfhelp.org

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October 24, 2001