Depression in college students has been increasing in the past few years. Depression is a serious medical illness which can be treated with the right resources and support. There are many symptoms due to depression a few examples are fatigue,trouble sleeping, losing interest in activities once enjoyed, feeling worthless or having suicidal thoughts. According to npr.org “the number of students in psychiatric medications increased more than 10 percent in the past 10 years.” There are many reasons students fall into depression especially their freshman year. College is usually the first taste students get of the real world a lot of changes are made transitioning from high school to college.
The use of distressed college students as analogues for depression research, however, is not sufficient in meaningfully advancing our current knowledge of depression and its treatment. Due to ease of access and convenience, the excessive reliance on this sample has made some researchers neglect crucial and noteworthy differences. This paper will address these critical differences including severity and symptomatology, issues of generalizability and problems with the psychometrics. Lastly, this paper will illustrate how research of college students as analogue samples does not need to be discontinued; rather, several suggestions to improve this research will be explored. Currently, there are two views in the literature regarding depression:
There are a number of different mental health problems that students may have to deal with. Depression is the most common, 11% of teens 13-18 have diagnosed depression (Mental Health Facts). Symptoms of depression include hopelessness, severe sadness, feeling
This can lead to drinking and drug problems, exhaustion, weight gain or weight loss, and depression and anxiety. Studies show that there is a steady increase in college student depression each year. Such issues can cause a negative impact on students’ grades, as well as the school dismissal and drop-out
Depression is the feeling of severe despondency and dejection. In simpler words, depression is a state of low spirits, loss of hope, and sadness. Between the ages of 15-24 and 35-44, research has found that developing major depression is very likely. In my age group, 15-24 years, depression is quite common because of all the overwhelming physical, emotional, and social changes. Of course as teens we overreact when put in these kinds of situations and make them an even bigger deal than they actually are. Also as a teen, we are looked at as young adults and are getting ready to go off to college and start our careers and then a family. It’s a lot of pressure and stress and there are a lot of unrealistic academic and social expectations that we
Before the main problems for college students were homesickness and relationships. Now the majority of students struggle with depression, anxiety, and self-harm.
There is no simple answer to what causes mental health problems in college students, as factors differ for every person. There are, however, some factors that are more possible than others such as preexisting conditions. According to “Mental Health By The
Academic rigor, expectations, changes in everyday routine, and social interactions are all factors that play into a college students mental health. According to a study conducted by the UCLA Higher Education Research Institute, emotional and mental health decline have
As a freshman in college it is normal to have the “blues” or become homesick. More than likely you’re away from home and out on your own for the first time in your life. Therefore it is okay to feel sad or out of place from time to time. Lately, however, these blues have manifested themselves and turned into to full blown depression. The number of freshmen dealing with depression is steadily rising with each set of incoming freshmen. According to the American College Health Association (ACHA), the percentage of college students diagnosed with depression has increased 56 percent in the last six years. Many freshmen are unable to cope with the challenge and pressure that college tends to put on them. According to Doctor Michael D. Yapok
Relate to Audience: A lot of college students suffers from depression daily. The stress from being in an unfamiliar environment, working and going to school at the same time can be a very heavy load to deal with. On
Depression can affect college students in all aspects of life; physically, mentally, and emotionally. The students who reported that they were depressed also stated that they considered their health fair or poor (Lindsey 2009). In their cases, depression not only affects them psychologically but also physically. Students with chronic illness who experience depression become more at risk for suicidal thoughts, or their condition to worsen because they are extremely stressed. Depression plays a huge role in college students with chronic illness such as bipolar mood diseases, or any chronic illness that requires medication. Depression sometimes alters your decision making and can cause one to be not as concerned with their overall health. Disrupted decisions can produce episodes, or their current chronic illness to worsen. Chronic illness and depression affect one another, despite which one is presented first. Chronic disease can cause depression when depression-like symptoms aren't already
College can be one of the most exciting and rewarding milestones in a lifetime, it is a transition to something new. You are preparing for the future and making the change into adulthood. Although, it you are prone to new experiences and somewhat a new life it may also be very challenging. It can also be a very testing time for students, especially those who may be at risk of developing or have already been diagnosed with a mental illness (College Depression). The onset of depressive illnesses tends tend to begin between the ages fifteen and twenty four; just as academic pressures are starting to become more prevalent. During this time students are also adjusting emotionally to complex life changes (Depression in College Students).
No one said college was easy. How many times have you heard that one? Well, it's true. College is usually the first time teenagers live away from the comfort of their own homes, especially now that more and more students are choosing to go away to college. Sure it's great to have all that freedom, but with that freedom comes more responsibility and some people just can't handle it. Their grades suffer and usually the student ends up dropping out not really understanding why. They feel like a failure as they face the disappointment in their parents faces and tones as they go back home to live with mom. But few people realize that college depression is on the rise in college students today the number of students reporting that they were diagnosed
Depression in college students is one of the main factors of suicide Some of the triggers of college depression include being away from home, lack of a normal social support group, and a history of depression. According to the article, Suicide Ideation Among College Students Evidencing Subclinical Depression students who thought about suicide more often were more depressed. Almost half of students who have reported suicidal behavior never received psychiatric help. This shows that past attempts at suicide could lead to future attempts at suicide. Being away from home is another major factor in depression. Most people agree that for the first month away from home they are depressed about being in college. People do not realize that when they go to college they are leaving behind most of their social
Going to college is a great experience because you achieve goals, become more knowledgable and even make lifelong friends. The “college life” everyone imagines does not portray the various healths problems college students encounter. The most common health problem college students have is depression. Depression is a mental illness that results in the inability to function regularly. Some of the symptoms of depression are a persistent sad mood, decreased energy and thoughts of death or suicide. If you experience any of symptoms of depression everyday for two weeks, then you potentially are considered depressed. Help should be immediately be sought if any of the symptoms impede with your functioning, do not wait!
Depression has been known to affect more than 350 million people worldwide every year (World Health Organization, October 2015) and the illness does not discriminate on age, race, ethnicity or religion. The definition pulled from the Mayo Clinic sums up depression as a mood disorder that causes loss of interest and sadness (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1996-2016), yet depression goes much further than just lack of interest in activities and sadness. Depression can affect sleeping habits, fluctuate weight management, limit concentration, and even go as far as stimulate suicidal thoughts (American Psychological Association, 2016). When identifying who is affected the most with this mental illness, data is populated from different studies to identify underlying causes. In this case, depression amongst students in college will be the population of focus and the three main determinants being concentrated on will consist of the economic stability of a student, the neighborhood resided in before entering college and while attending college, and the health and/ or health care held by the student in college.