By KATELYN HAND
Depression, a widespread mental illness that occurs frequently among young adults, can be avoided with emotional support and a reasonable outlook on life.
According to experts, college students are susceptible to this disorder. Eugene Mead, a professor of marriage and family therapy, said about 20 percent of college students suffer from depression at any given time.
“We call it the common cold of mental health. So many are impacted by it,” Mead said.
A good percentage of people suffer from depression, David Weight, a professor of clinical psychology said. “College students are certainly vulnerable,” he said.
This is partly because of the chaotic lives college students lead. Important career, scholastic and social decisions are made that can leave many feeling overwhelmed.
“This is a confusing time of life, and there is a fair amount of uncertainty,” said Harold Frost, a counseling psychologist who works at Orem’s Center for Care.
At this age young adults are also finding their identity and leaving their parents’ nest. Students “may realize they are living out their parents’ expectations and realize that that is not what they want. They can feel stifled and upset,” Frost said.
Students also tend to ignore their basic needs, such as getting enough sleep, exercise and eating right, Weight said. “They act as though they have an unlimited amount of energy.”
Lacking emotional support and feeling isolated can also lead to depression.
“The current thought is if you are together you have no need for emotions. But that is a human need; somehow we have been taught to be ashamed of it,” Frost said.
Weight said a good way to avoid feelings that can lead to depression is by having a confidant or close friend with whom the feelings can be discussed.
“You need to be able to have a forum,” Frost said. “People are greatly relieved to talk about their feelings.”
Part of solving the problem is changing the way a person perceives and thinks about things. Frost said often those suffering from depression see things as catastrophic, essentially “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
“This negative pattern of thinking can cause a great deal of pain in life,” Frost said.
Depression can be triggered from the everyday catastrophes of life including death, financial problems or any change that can alter lifestyle or daily routine. Regardless of one’s personality, if these changes become overwhelming the disorder can affect anyone.
“Depression is not a character flaw,” said Page Speiser, a licensed clinical social worker.
“Depression is a real illness, like getting the measles or mumps. It is like catching a cold. And like other illnesses, the sooner they get treatment, the sooner they get better,” Mead said.
Because there are so many symptoms associated with depression, it can be hard for a person feeling down to know if help needs to be sought.
“The best way to know (if you suffer from depression) is if you are having trouble functioning in day-to-day routines,” Speiser said.
Mood swings are normal, but “if someone’s mood doesn’t return to near normal within two weeks, then they need to seek help,” Weight said.
Symptoms include a depressed mood, irritability and a hopeless outlook on the future. If these persist for more than two weeks, the person should seek help. Because depression can also be caused from biological problems, an appointment with a medical doctor, as well as a therapist, could be made to find the origin of the problem.
The Counseling and Development Center on campus, at 378-3035, offers free counseling.
If left untreated, depression tends to last longer, and it becomes increasingly difficult for a person to return to and maintain former levels of activity.
