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Volume 41, Issue 9
February 3, 2004
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February 3, 2004
Study says more students
seeking aid for depression
counseling aids afflicted
Gary Gangi
U-wire
One in seven young adults battles depression according to a recent study
by the American Sociology Association. On the Southern Illinois University
campus, this statistic calculates to 3,221 students. And, according to
a recent study by the ASA, this number is on the rise.
The study, conducted at Kansas State University’s counseling center,
examined trends in college students regarding psychiatric problems over
a 13-year period. The findings showed the number of students seen each
year for depression-related illnesses doubled and the number of suicidal
students tripled.
SIU’s Counseling Center sees an estimated 1,500 students a year,
70 percent of which need treatment for depression. The University’s
Wellness Center caters to about 712 students a year seeking psychiatric
assistance.
Clinical psychologist Katy Hoganbruen, who is the senior director of prevention
for the National Mental Health Association, said initial signs of clinical
depression typically occur between the ages of 18 and 25, about the time
young people are enrolled at universities.“There are quite a few
stressors for college students,” Hoganbruen said. “With the
demands of college life: Academic performance, relationships, substance
abuse and family, it may be hard for students to distinguish what is depression
or just the blues.”
Janet Coffman, director of the counseling center, said the university
experience can be overwhelming for many students as they begin studies
away from the familiarity of friends and family. She also believes the
academic demands of college may trigger anxiety and stress induced depression.
“School can be emotionally stressful if students are not prepared,”
Coffman said. “We see the most students at the beginning of fall
semester, again during midterms and toward finals.”
The centers offer many options for students dealing with situational depression.
Individual, group and couples counseling along with talk therapy, relaxation
training and stress management are available for students free-of-charge.
“A lot of college students don’t keep regular routines and
might attribute their symptoms to other things or attempt to self-medicate
with substance abuse, which usually means caffeine during the day and
alcohol at night,” said Barb Elam, Wellness Center coordinator.
“This behavior may prolong the student’s symptoms until they
are near the end of their rope or contemplating suicide. It is better
to get treatment earlier than later.”
Depression is considered the “common cold” of psychiatric
diseases and ranks second to cardiovascular diseases as most common ailments
in the United States. Major depression is often difficult for university
students to recognize due to the lifestyle habits of college students,
which disguise many symptoms. The most identifiable symptoms of major
depression are irritability, irregular sleep patterns (either insomnia
or oversleeping), overwhelming feelings of anxiety, stress or sadness,
fatigue, excessive crying, increased sexual activity, dramatic mood swings
and difficulty making decisions. Most clinical assessments determine that
if a person experiences five or more of these symptoms for more than two
weeks they should seek professional help.
“A professional is really the only one who can determine whether
it is clinical depression or the upcoming final exam,” Hoganbruen
said. “Many times it is just as important to address the underlying
psycho-socio issues or attend counseling to work on stress or anxiety
management.”
Depression may afflict any person at any time; however, people with a
history of clinical depression within their families and those who experience
traumatic events are more susceptible. College students also remain a
high-risk group due to considerable life choices and changes they face
in times of academic and emotional stress.
“Depression can be either be biological or situational,” said
Carbondale psychotherapist Annette Vailancourt. “If you experience
depression after a breakup or death of a relative it is easier to recognize.
But when everything seems to be going well and you still feel depressed,
or your ability to function is impaired, it may be clinical.”
Students who feel they may be suffering from depression are encouraged
to visit the Wellness or Counseling centers for free and confidential
screening and evaluation. The most common form of treatment is “talk
therapy,” which involves a one-on-one counseling session with a
health care professional.
“People tend to think they are really judgmental about themselves
and very self-critical,” Elam said. “These feelings become
exaggerated when they become depressed. Often times it takes an outside
source to help them figure out the way they are feeling and the source
of the depression.”
When a person’s clinical assessment determines that psychotherapeutic
methods such as counseling and talk therapy may not be enough to break
the cycle of depression, medication is often prescribed. Antidepressants
influence neurotransmitters in the brain, primarily serotonin and norepinephrine,
which control mood. Medication, known as selective serotonin uptake inhibitors
are most commonly prescribed. They include Prozac, the number one prescribed
antidepressant. Antidepressant medications correct the chemical imbalances
that trigger major depression, however they are not a quick fix. It may
take several weeks to several months for the medication to begin to effectively
treat a patient. There are currently about 20 antidepressants approved
and prescribed for all levels of depression. The main concern in college
students is that the medication may interfere with their ability to concentrate
or study effectively. However, these side effects cease after treatment
is discontinued.
“Therapy alone doesn’t help everyone. Sometimes you need medication
to jump-start recovery,” Vailancourt said. “The best and most
effective treatment seems to be a combination of both psychotherapy and
medication.”
Although antidepressants are considered a safe treatment for depression,
there are still minor side effects that usually fade with time. Side effects
include nausea, headache, blurred vision, nervousness, constipation and
a change in sleep patterns.
Elam said students should never ignore symptoms of depression or attempt
to “cure” themselves. Instead, she advocates a healthy lifestyle
that includes a normal sleeping pattern, good nutrition, meditation and
exercise several times a week to combat minor depressive feelings.
“No one is immune from depression, but no one is destined to commit
suicide,” Elam said. “There are always people who care.”
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