Donald Becker
Staff Writer
College is an exciting time in a young adult’s life, however, it can also be a very stressful overwhelming time. As a college student you may be experiencing life events you have never dealt with before such as, leaving home for the first time, meeting new people, and learning to become independent.
Small problems and little setbacks may feel like the world is going to end, but these feelings usually subside in a short time. If you are experiencing feelings of irritability, sadness, and or feelings of utter hopelessness, rest assured you are not alone and may be suffering from depression.
According to the National Institution of Mental Health, Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.
To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks. Depression can be treated, though, in many different ways such as: cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
These therapies are widely used in the treatment of depression. There are also medications that can be used in order to relieve symptoms of depression. Besides seeing a doctor or counselor, try to get daily exercise, get enough sleep, be aware of your feelings, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking up large tasks into smaller tasks.
If you think you may suffer from depression, L&C offers counseling services in a variety of areas. They can be contacted at (618) 468-4121 and are located in CW 2320. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Don’t suffer alone, there are many resources available on campus – take full advantage of them!
