Depression in college students is very real
The transition into college is a markedly exciting time as young adults venture outside of the home and navigate the world independently. Leaving the familiarity of home and family support. However, these changes can pose challenges a college student may not have anticipated. Whether it be struggling to maintain an adequate sleep schedule, feeling homesick, or difficulty consuming a healthy diet, college life can be tough. As well, depression in college students can come from academic stress, financial concerns, drug and alcohol use, or learning how to balance work with school. Furthermore, for a college student, finding a social life can feel overwhelming. So, there are many external factors that accompany living in a college environment that can significantly impact one’s mental health. For this reason, college students are a vulnerable population that is at an increased risk of developing depression.
Depression therapy in East Lyme, Connecticut can help young adults and college students build positive coping tools
According to the DSM-5, the prevalence of major depressive disorder in 18-29 year-old individuals is threefold higher than in individuals aged 60 years or older. In addition, the National Alliance on Mental Illness found that over 40% of college students reported feelings of increased stress within the past year, and nearly 73% of students living with a mental health condition experienced a crisis related to that condition while on campus. Therefore, it is crucial that we recognize the signs of depression among college students in order to provide them with the support they need. And, depression in college students often goes unnoticed, which leads to suicidal thinking.
Symptoms of Depression to Look For
Struggling with depression looks different for everybody. However, there are prominent signs that may reveal that you or a loved one is silently suffering. The first symptom is a persistent feeling of sadness. Now, sadness and lower changes in mood may be present for the majority of the day. And, with depression, sadness may last for several weeks at a time. As well, a depressed individual may feel feelings of hopelessness and discouragement. This feeling of sadness can be so overwhelming that it affects significant aspects of an individual’s daily life. Often, daily tearfulness and crying are common symptoms of depression in college students.
To begin, click the button below for a phone consult for East Lyme, Connecticut holistic counseling for depression in college students.
Another symptom of depression is a lack of interest in activities that were once pleasurable.
A depressed college student may not want to hang out with friends anymore, skip classes, and withdraw from the world around them. As well, they may not want to do things that they normally enjoy. This could be playing a video game, spending time outside, or engaging in an extracurricular activity or sport. To note, we should not be overlooking this markedly diminished interest in activities. A depressed college student may be isolating themselves because they feel unworthy. Sometimes, depression in college students means developing positive self-talk in counseling. With depression, a young adult may think the world would be better off without them. So, from counseling for depression in college students, a person can learn to value themselves and create a life worth living.
Sleeping Irregularities Are A Sign of Depression
Although college students are notorious for staying up late into the night and then
sleeping in in the morning, it is important to pay attention to the sleep schedule. Overall, counseling in Connecticut helps with depression in college students. Form counseling, a depressed student can learn healthy habits. It might be hard to figure out which coping tools are healthy versus which are not. A depressed college student may experience insomnia while trying to fall asleep at night. Or, they may struggle to get out of bed in the morning. These habits are often accompanied by fatigue or a loss of energy. In addition, a depressed college student may have trouble focusing. Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut specializes in depression in college students.
Low grades, low motivation, and trouble completing classwork are signs of depression in a college student.
Depression in college students impacts not only the student, but their family too. Parents may feel concerned and siblings may feel worried and helpless. With depression symptoms, a college student may struggle to complete classwork and not pay attention to lectures. As well, with depression, a student may not be able to attend to a task for very long. With that said, trouble focusing can be detrimental to one’s educational success while in college. A depressed young adult also may feel unmotivated to complete coursework. And, they can’t get their mindset correct on their own. It is not uncommon for grades to slip when battling depression. At Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut, the team specializes in depression in college students.
Low self-esteem is another sign that one may be experiencing depression.
A depressed college student may perceive themselves poorly, lack confidence, and believe that they are inadequate. As well, this negative self-image can hold one back from forming new relationships and from having a strong sense of identity. Identity can mean many things to different people. Sometimes, young adults are struggling with questioning their gender, coming out as gay, or queer. Therapy at Wisdom Within Counseling can be a safe place to talk about gender questioning feelings.
As well, at Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut, the team of therapists love talking about being queer, transgender and sexuality.
Gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual expression are okay to talk about. Often, depression in college students is from not being able to talk about LGBTQIA, transgender feelings, or being gender fluid. At Wisdom Within Counseling, a young adult can talk about LGBTQIA+ and coming out to over come depression. LGBTQIA+ and gender expression plays a large role in happiness and contentment. For some, depression in college students is from being misgendered often.
How Counseling can help College Students with Depression
Depression does not have to impede on a young adult’s college experience. Fortunately, holistic therapy is a wonderful resource that is available to college students. As well, working with a therapist at Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut can help a college student to overcome intense feelings of sadness and reclaim their lives. More so, a majority of colleges offer on-campus mental health counseling services for students in need. But, a lot of student want a private therapist, outside of their college campus. In addition, finding an off-campus therapist at a local practice is of great benefit.
Here at Wisdom Within Counseling, we specialize in working with young adults who struggle with depression, anxiety, and major life changes.
Our holistic therapists are thoroughly trained in helping clients with depression and can offer positive and effective coping tools. Meeting with a holistic therapist allows a college student with depression to have a safe space to explore. Plus, a college student can understand their emotions, learn new ways of managing symptoms, develop enhanced self-esteem, and lead a fulfilling life.
To begin, click the button below for a phone consult for East Lyme, Connecticut holistic counseling for depression in college students.
Additional Tips for Managing Depression and Improving Mental Health
There are several steps one can take to improve their mental wellbeing. First, adhering to an adequate sleep schedule improves mood and overall health. It is important that college students stray away from staying up late hours. And, instead, students stick to a nightly routine that allows them to calm their minds before getting into bed. Now, this may look like turning off all electronics an hour or two before bed. In addition, a nightly routine can be drinking a cup of chamomile tea, listening to soothing music, taking a hot shower, or reading a book. Now, these acts can help a college student to ease into relaxation and prepare for an entire night’s worth of sleep.
In addition, to overcome depression, college students can strive to eat a healthy and balanced diet.
For self-care, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption. Often, these substances can contribute to increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Many times, binge drinking on college campuses creates depression symptoms. As well, depression in college students can be from too much partying and heavy drinking. Part of counseling for depression in college students may mean making healthier friends. As well as healthier friends, a healthy diet can increase focus and energy amongst college students. So, a diet that consists of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and adequate protein and healthy fats can be great. Nourishing foods benefit one’s health physically and mentally.
Eating disorders are a sign of depression in college students
However, many college students struggle with eating disorders. For instance, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and anorexia are all challenges many college students face. College students may skip meals. As well, a sign of depression in college students is counting calories or fad dieting. Fad diets often go along with compulsive exercising or long distance running in college. As well, depression in college students may look like disordered eating, starvation or rigid food habits. Some college students only eat certain food groups, or struggle to feed themselves. Sometimes, college students try to be skinnier, or feel body shame. So, therapy can provide young adults with eating disorders a safe place to love themselves. At Wisdom Within Counseling in East Lyme, Connecticut, the team specialize with eating disorders, binge eating, and anorexia.
Daily yoga, exercise, or movement helps ward off depression in college students
Partaking in aerobic exercise and sports can also help manage depression amongst college students. This can include joining a yoga studio, engaging in intramural or school sports, going to the gym, or even going for a walk outside every day. Exercise serves as a wonderful outlet for students to clear their mind. Another way to better one’s mental health on campus is to build a support system. Having a strong support system can help students navigate the stressors of college. This includes reaching out to faculty and staff members, joining groups or clubs on campus, volunteering, or connecting with friends. This network of support allows a college student to
know they are not alone and that they can ask for help whenever needed.
