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The Connection between College and Depression

Posted By : Administrator Monday 10 Oct, 2016
The Connection between College and Depression

Written by Sanhita Vatsa

College can be thought of as a fresh start after schooling. Many of us tend to remember it as the most exciting period of our lives. As we leave school and join a new institution, we are exposed to more knowledge, different kinds of people, a myriad of opinions, different teachers and an absolutely new environment

However, exactly these reasons can also make college a challenging time for some or most of us. Studies have found that onset of depressive illnesses is most prevalent between the ages of 15 and 24. It is not a mere coincidence that this coincides with the ages at which people attend college. An increase in  academic pressure, stepping out of your comfort zone and making friends, being involved in different kinds of relationships, leading a more independent life, possible leaving home for the first time, irregular sleep patterns and easier accessibility to alcohol and drugs are just some of the changes that college students go through.  

Most students who are affected don’t even realize that they are going through depression, or tend to ignore or hide their symptoms because of social or academic pressure. Similarly, family, friends and teachers may not recognize the warning signs. However, this does not mean that things should continue this way. The only solution to avoid people with depression slipping through the cracks is to increase awareness, not only for patients themselves but also for parents, faculty, friends and peers. So look out for the following signs in yourself and people around you:

• You are often sad, hopeless, moody and/or angry, even if for no reason 

• You suddenly find it hard to interact with people and prefer to avoid social gatherings

• Weight gain/loss, irregular appetite, chronic lethargy/tiredness and irregular sleep patterns are also common with depression

• You have trouble concentrating, deciding and find yourself skipping schoolwork, meetings, etc.

• You have thoughts of/indulge in self-harm

The reason why so many cases of depression go undiagnosed is that most people go through the at least some of the above feelings and symptoms at various points in their lives. The distinguishing factor of it being depression is that these symptoms recur over a significant period of time, i.e., a few weeks or months and begin to affect your day-to-day life significantly. 

Especially with college students, when there is so much going on and so many changes are taking place, it can become hard to take cognizance of depressive feelings and signs. If you feel that you or anyone around you is going through depression, you must seek help. Trained psychologists and psychiatrists are equipped to understand and treat depressive illnesses in a sensitive and effective manner. 

Catex Health is a large network of mental health experts who are available 24x7 for your support and will ensure confidential, dignified and empowering support for any sort of emotional distress. Ms. Sanhita Vatsa is a member of our network. Click here to reach out to her or call +91 9911775626.