Depression and College Students (Part 2)

How can I find out if I have depression?

The first step is to talk with a doctor or mental health care provider. Your family doctor, campus health center staff, or other trusted adult may be able to help you find appropriate care. He or she can perform an exam to help determine if you have depression or if you have another health or mental health problem. Some medical conditions or medications can produce symptoms similar to depression.

A doctor or mental health care provider will ask you about

• Your symptoms
• Your history of depression
• Your family's history of depression
• Your medical history
• Alcohol or drug use
• Any thoughts of death or suicide

How is depression treated?

A number of very effective treatments for depression are available. The most common treatments are antidepressants and psychotherapy. Some people find that a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy works best. A doctor or mental health care provider can help you find the treatment that's right for you.

What are antidepressants?

Antidepressants work on brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and norepinephrine. Other antidepressants work on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Scientists have found that these particular chemicals are involved in regulating mood, but they are unsure of the exact ways that they work.

If a doctor prescribes an antidepressant, how long will I have to take it?

Always follow the directions of the doctor or health care provider when taking medication. You will need to take regular doses of antidepressants, and the full effect of these medications may not take effect for several weeks or months. Some people need to take antidepressants for a short time. If your depression is long-lasting or comes back repeatedly, you may need to take antidepressants longer.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy involves talking with a mental health care professional to treat a mental illness. Types of psychotherapy that have been shown to be effective in treating depression include

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people change negative styles of thinking and behavior that may contribute to depression
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT), which helps people understand and work through troubled personal relationships that may cause or worsen depression

Depending on the type and severity of your depression, a mental health professional may recommend short-term therapy, lasting 10 to 20 weeks, or longer-term therapy.

If I think I may have depression, where can I get help?

Most colleges provide mental health services through counseling centers, student health centers, or both.¹ Check out your college website for information:

• Counseling centers offer students free or very low-cost mental health services. Some counseling centers provide short-term or long-term counseling or psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. These centers may also refer you to mental health care providers in the community for additional services.
• Student health centers provide basic health care services to students at little or no cost. A doctor or health care provider may be able to diagnose and treat depression or refer you to other mental health services.

If your college does not provide all of the mental health care you need, your insurance may cover additional mental health services. Many college students have insurance through their colleges, parents, or employers.¹ If you are insured, contact your insurance company to find out about your mental health care coverage.

How can I help myself if I am depressed?

If you have depression, you may feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless, but it is important to realize that these feelings are part of the illness. Treatment can help you feel better.

Try these tips to help yourself feel better:

• Try to see a professional as soon as possible. Research shows that getting treatment sooner rather than later can relieve symptoms quicker and reduce the length of time treatment is needed.
• Give treatment a fair chance. Attend sessions, and follow your doctor's or therapist's advice, including advice about specific exercises or "homework" to try between appointments.
• Break up large tasks into small ones, and do what you can as you can; try not to do too many things at once.
• Spend time with other people, and talk to a friend or relative about your feelings.
• Do not make important decisions until you feel better; talk about decisions with others whom you trust and who know you well.
• Engage in mild physical activity or exercise.
• Participate in activities that you used to enjoy.
• Expect your mood to improve gradually with treatment.
• Remember that positive thinking will replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to treatment.

How can I help a friend who is depressed?

If you suspect a friend may have depression, you can help him or her get diagnosed and treated. You may need to help your friend find a doctor, mental health care provider, or mental health services on your college campus. If your friend seems unable or unwilling to seek help, offer to go with him or her, and tell your friend that his or her health and safety are important to you.

You can also try these ideas:

• Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
• Talk to your friend, and listen carefully.
• Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to your friend's therapist or doctor.
• Invite your friend out for walks, outings, and other activities. If they refuse keep trying, but don't push.
• Ensure that your friend gets to doctor's appointments, and encourage him or her to report any concerns about medications to their health care professional.
• Remind your friend that with time and professional treatment, the depression will lift.

What if I or someone I know is in crisis?

If you are thinking about harming yourself or having thoughts of suicide, or if you know someone who is, seek help right away:

• Call your doctor or mental health care provider.
• Call 911, go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help, or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
• Call your campus suicide or crisis hotline.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889) to talk to a trained counselor.
• Call your college counseling center or student health services.
• If you are in crisis, make sure you are not left alone.
• If someone else is in crisis, make sure he or she is not left alone.

Reference

1. Eisenberg, D., Golberstein, E., & Gollust, S. E. (2007, July). Help-seeking and access to mental health care in a university student population. Medical Care, 45(7), 594–601.