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Depression and College Students: FAQ

Answers to College Students' Frequently Asked Questions About Depression

Feeling moody, sad, or grouchy? Who doesn't once in a while? College is an exciting time, but it can also be very challenging. As a college student, you might be leaving home for the first time, learning to live independently, taking tough classes, meeting new people, and getting a lot less sleep. Small or large setbacks can seem like the end of the world, but these feelings usually pass with a little time.

However, if you have been feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable for at least 2 weeks, you might have depression. You're not alone. Depression is the most common health problem for college students.1

You should know these facts:

  • Depression is a medical illness.
  • Depression can be treated.
  • Early treatment is best.
  • Most colleges offer free or low-cost mental health services to students.

Q: What is depression?

A: Depression is a medical illness with many symptoms, including physical ones. Sadness is only a small part of depression. Some people with depression may not feel sadness at all, but be more irritable or just lose interest in things they usually like to do. Depression interferes with your daily life and normal function. Don't ignore or try to hide the symptoms. It is not a character flaw, and you can't will it away.

Q: Are there different types of depression?

A: Yes. The most common depressive disorders include major depression (a discrete episode, clearly different from a person's usual feeling and functioning), persistent depressive disorder (a chronic, low-grade depression that can get better or worse over time), and psychotic depression (the most severe, with delusions or hallucinations). Some people are vulnerable to depression in the winter (seasonal affective disorder, or SAD), and some women report depression in the week or two prior to their menstrual period (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

A: If you have been experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, you may have major (sometimes called clinical) depression:

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
  • Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
  • Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
  • Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
  • Appetite or unwanted weight changes
  • Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
  • Restlessness, irritability
  • Persistent physical symptoms, such as muscle pain or headaches

Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms. Some people have many. If any of these symptoms is interfering with your functioning—or if you are having thoughts that life is not worth living or ideas of harming yourself—you should seek help immediately; it is not necessary to wait 2 weeks.

Q: What should I do if someone I know is considering suicide?

A: If you know someone who is considering suicide, do not leave him or her alone. Try to get your friend or loved one to seek immediate help from his or her doctor, campus security, the student health service, or the nearest hospital emergency room; or call 911. Remove any access he or she may have to firearms or other potential tools for suicide, including medications. You can also call to seek help as soon as possible by calling the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Reference

  1. Buchanan, J. L. (2012). Prevention of depression in the college student population: A review of the literature. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 26(1), 21–42. doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2011.03.003. Retrieved June 21, 2018, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/

U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (Revised 2015, November). Depression and college students: Answers to college students' frequently asked questions about depression [flyer] (NIH Pub. No. 12–4266). Retrieved June 21, 2018, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

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