The college blues

January 29, 2009 by Shane Collins 

The stress of academic life can affect students’ long term mental health

Sure, college can be stressful, but these are the best days of our lives, right?

For a handful of students, the pressures of education can be too much to handle, causing them to feel lost, alone and confused.

Nearly everyone experiences sad times but when the blues hinder regular social and academic functions they become a cause for concern.

Darkness was a reality for one UNLV student, who asked to remain anonymous.

“I thought I was weird, that I didn’t belong,” he said.  “There were times I didn’t even want to go to class.  I just sat in my room worrying about every little thing, but I didn’t even have anything to worry about.”

It’s important to understand the difference between feelings of sadness and clinical depression.  According to the Mayo Clini’s Web site, feelings of sadness may be temporary and infrequent but clinical depression is consistent, with severe depressive episodes lasting weeks or months at a time.

“I initially thought I was feeling homesick – everyone gets a little homesick,” the student said, adding that when the feelings seemed to intensify, lasting beyond the second week of school, he noticed it wasn’t normal.

“I felt lost, like I was in the wrong place, even if I was sitting in my dorm.”

According to Campusblues.com there are three major forms of depression: Major Depression, Dysthymia and Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as Manic-depressive disorder.  Each of these conditions is characterized by different severity and intervals of depressive episodes.

Episodes of Major Depression can last as long as two weeks, impairing a person’s ability to eat, sleep, socialize and think clearly.  Symptoms include rapid weight loss, fatigue, loss of interest in hobbies, thoughts of death or suicide and irritability.

Major Depressive episodes may occur only two or three times in a lifetime.

Dysthymia is a less severe form of depression, but tends to occur in more frequent bursts.

Manic-depressive disorder displays with cyclical  episodes of depression and mania, feelings of ecstasy and over confidence.

“I knew I had to do something when I started skipping classes and not eating,” the student said.  “I would literally sit in my room for days at a time, not leaving unless it was absolutely necessary.”

The student added that not only did his social and academic life suffer greatly, he cut off communication with his family leaving them wondering what to do.

“I lost nearly 10 pounds in one week,” he said.  “I’m [skinny] as it is.  I didn’t need to lose anything, but my stomach constantly hurt and I couldn’t eat.”

So where does depression come from?

According to Campusblues.com, there are many complex reasons for the onset of depression. Psychologists say a mixture of family history and environment may cause depressive episodes and others may not have an apparent cause.  

Genetics often carry depression from one generation to the next, but not all members of a family with a history of depression are depressed.

In the case of students, high levels of stress and change in one’s environment can lend a hand to depressive symptoms.  Changes in social life or financial responsibilities or preparing for life after graduation may cause depression in students.

“I was lost – confused,” the student said, adding that he was not sure why he wanted to come to Las Vegas or go to school.

For him, it seemed like his time was up.  He either needed to get his act together or get out of town; but one thing clicked that possibly saved his life.

“I’m not alone,” he explained.  “One night I was in bed and I heard someone on TV say ‘I’m not alone.’ Suddenly it all made sense.”

It is imperative to get help if you suffer from at least five symptoms of any depressive disorder for two weeks or longer. Trying to help yourself isn’t the answer.

UNLV offers psychological health services for free to full-time students.  The Student Counseling and Psychological Services Center located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center offers confidential services to help students adjust and deal with the high demands of college life.  

Services at the SCPS include individual and group counseling, crisis intervention and psychological assessments.  Students can call to schedule an appointment or walk in on Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I was fortunate enough to recognize my [illness] before [I attempted suicide],” the student said.  “My next step was death, I just knew it. I got the professional help I needed.”

Today, the student is functioning normally, having adapted to the demands of school.  He joined a student organization and has been making new friends.