By Susan Adkins
While standing in the Cougareat, Rachel Nelson chats with one of her co-workers who suffers from depression. Nelson understands the way she feels more than most people. She suffered from depression in high school, but overcame the silent disease through help from family, friends and medical professionals.
There are many options available on campus to BYU students that can help with the lonely feelings of depression. Depression, to some, is like a black hole, but symptoms vary.
According to depression.com, more than 6 percent of adults encounter depression in any given year. It also emphasizes depression is not a normal part of life, regardless of age, sex or health status. The good news is depression can be treated in several different ways.
Prescription anti-depressants are the most common forms of treatment for depression, said Dr. Lorraine Davis, a psychiatrist at the BYU Health Center. However, there are more ways to treat depression. A combination of several treatments is sometimes necessary depending on the severity of the depression.
'I felt like I couldn''t live up to my own expectations,' Nelson said. 'I put this enormous pressure on myself and I expected myself to be perfect and I couldn''t do it.'
Nelson said she never took medication for her depression. She attended counseling, which helped her realize where she needed to think differently.
Brant Slade, bishop of the BYU 117th Ward, said he often sees young women who are suffering from depression. He offers a three-fold plan for depression to the students who confide in him.
'This is a mind-body-spirit plan,' he said. 'You can''t get better without working on all three.'
Slade said counselors take care of the mind, doctors take care of the body and counseling with a bishop takes care of the spirit.
Different kinds of therapy and counseling have been proven to be effective treatments for depression. Counseling is available at BYU through the BYU Counseling and Career Center. The counseling is free to full-time students. The Women''s Services and Resources Center also offers free assistance to full-time BYU students.
There are also different, more holistic treatments for depression as well.
'Some people think holistic is next to quackery,' Davis said. 'It depends on your beliefs.'
According to depression.com, there are a number of herbs, minerals, supplements and alternative medicines that have been promoted as remedies for depression.
'Always consult with your doctor before using any alternative treatment,' the Web site said. 'Like any medication, some herbs, minerals, and other supplements can interact with drugs or foods and produce side effects. Just because something is natural does not mean that it is safe.'
There are many ways to handle depression, but doing it alone isn''t the best choice. BYU offers many different resources to help students through depression and back into the light.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health Web site, there are many symptoms of depression. These symptoms include a persistent saddness, anxious or empty mood; feelings of hopelessness, pessimism; feelings of guilt, worthlessness and helplessness; a loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies that were once enjoyed; difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions; insomnia or oversleeping. The Web site also says that not every person may experience all of the symptoms listed and they may vary in severity over time and with each individual.
-Resources for help and more information on depression
-Women''s Services and Resources Center
1520 WSC
422-4877
byu.edu/wsr
-BYU Counseling and Career Center
1500 WSC
422-3035
byu.edu/ccc
-National Institute of Mental Health
nimh.nih.gov