Depression
Depression is very different from the occasional blues. About 20 million Americans experience depression, which can affect how they sleep, eat, feel about themselves, and live their lives. Depression can run in families, and it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30. Depression has physical and emotional symptoms and cannot be wished away; people with depression can't just "pull themselves together." There are different types of depressive disorders, each with its own symptoms and treatment options. The good news is that depression can be treated, and people can recover.
Quick Tips:
- Develop a support network for friends. Join an organization. We have more than 500 of them. If you don't see an organization that represents your interests, you can start one. The Center for Student Involvement can help.
- If you have concerns over your study habits, ability to take tests, or managing your coursework, talk with teachers, counselors, family, and friends for advice and support or attend one of time management workshops.
- Stay active at the Campus Recreation Center. Regular physical activity improves one's mood, helps relieve depression, and increases feelings of well-being.
- Visit the Counseling Center or Student Health Services and discuss concerns with a health professional. If the health professional advises treatment, follow instructions. Watch out for side effects, and attend follow-up appointments to assess improvement. If you don't feel any better after 4-6 weeks, tell your health professional.
Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life. Symptoms can include:
- Sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Change in weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Energy loss
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide