Many people experience the first symptoms of depression during their teen years and in college. Unfortunately, many students who have depression aren’t getting the help they need. They may not know where to go for help, or they may believe that treatment won’t help. Others don’t get help because they think their symptoms are just part of the typical stress of being a teen, or they worry about being judged if they seek medical care. In reality:
• Most colleges offer free or low-cost mental health services to students.
• Depression is a medical illness and treatments can be very effective.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of depression can relieve depression symptoms, prevent depression from returning, and help students succeed in college and after graduation.
Q. What is depression?
A. Depression is a common, but serious, mental illness typically marked by sad or anxious feelings. Most college students occasionally feel sad or anxious, but these emotions usually pass quickly—within a couple of days. Untreated depression, however, lasts for a long time, interferes with day-to-day activities, and is much more than just being “a little down” or “feeling blue.”
Q. How does depression affect college students?
A. In 2009, the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA)—a nationwide survey of college students at two- and four-year institutions—found that nearly 30 percent of college students reported feeling “so depressed that it was difficult to function” at some time in the past year.
Depression can affect academic performance. Studies suggest that college students who have depression are more likely to smoke. Research suggests that students with depression do not necessarily drink alcohol more heavily than other college students. But students with depression, especially women, are more likely to drink to get drunk and experience problems related to alcohol abuse, such as engaging in unsafe sex. It’s not uncommon for students who have depression to self-medicate with street drugs.
Depression is also a major risk factor for suicide. Better diagnosis and treatment of depression can help reduce suicide rates among college students. In the Fall 2009 ACHA–NCHA survey, about 6 percent of college students reported seriously considering suicide, and about 1 percent reported attempting suicide in the previous year. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for those ages 15–24. Students should also be aware that the warning signs can be different in men versus women.
Q. Are there different types of depression?
A. Yes. The most common depressive disorders are: Major depressive disorder, also called major depression. The symptoms are disabling and interfere with everyday activities such as studying, eating, and sleeping. People with this disorder may have only one episode of major depression in their lifetimes. But more often, depression comes back repeatedly.
Dysthymic disorder, also called dysthymia, is mild, chronic depression. The symptoms last for a long time—two years or more. Dysthymia is less severe than major depression, but can still interfere with everyday activities. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes.
Minor depression has symptoms that are similar to major depression and dysthymia, but are less severe and/or usually shorter term. Without treatment, however, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder.
Other types of depression include: Psychotic depression—severe depression accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions; and seasonal affective disorder—depression that begins during the winter months and lifts during spring and summer.
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
A. The symptoms of depression vary. If you are depressed, you may feel:
• Sad
• Anxious
• Empty
• Hopeless
• Guilty
• Worthless
• Helpless
• Irritable
• Restless
You may also experience one or more of the following:
• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Lack of energy
• Problems concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions
• Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Loss of appetite or eating too much
• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
• Aches, pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not go away.
What causes depression? ->
Q. What causes depression?
A. Depression doesn’t have a single cause. Several factors can lead to it. Some people carry genes that increase their risk of depression. But not all people with depression have these genes, and not all people with these genes have depression. Environment—one’s surroundings and life experiences, such as stress—also affects your risk for depression. Stresses of college may include:
• Living away from family for the first time
• Missing family or friends
• Feeling alone or isolated
• Experiencing conflict in relationships
• Facing new and sometimes difficult school work
• Worrying about finances.
Q. How can I find out if my teen has depression?
A. The first step is to have your child talk with a doctor or mental health care provider. He can perform an exam to help determine if your teen has depression or 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 your child about:
• His symptoms
• His history of depression
• His medical history
• Your family’s history of depression
• Alcohol or drug use
• Any thoughts of death or suicide.
Q. How is depression treated?
A. A number of effective treatments for depression are available. The most common are antidepressants and psychotherapy. Some people find that a combination of the two works best. A doctor or mental health care provider can help you find the treatment that’s right for you.
Q. What are antidepressants?
A. 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 are unsure of the exact ways they work.
Q. If a doctor prescribes an antidepressant, how long will the patient have to take it?
A. Always follow the directions of the doctor or health care provider when taking medication. Someone with depression will need to take regular doses of antidepressants; the full effect of these medications may not be apparent for several weeks or months. Some people need to take antidepressants for a short time. If the depression is long-lasting or comes back repeatedly, the patient may need to take antidepressants longer.
Q. What is psychotherapy?
A. Psychotherapy involves talking with a mental health care professional to treat a mental illness. Types of psychotherapy often used to treat depression include: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people change negative styles of thinking and behavior that may contribute to depression; and 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 one’s depression, a professional may recommend either short-term therapy (10–20 weeks) or longer-term therapy.
Getting help is easier than you think ->
Q. Where can college students get help?
A. Most colleges provide mental health services through counseling centers, student health centers, or both. Check out your child’s college website for information.
Counseling centers offer students free or low-cost mental health services. Some counseling centers provide short-term or long-term counseling or psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. These centers also may refer you to mental health care providers within 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 child’s college doesn’t provide all the mental health care he needs, your insurance may cover additional mental health services. Many college students have insurance through their colleges, parents, or employers. If you’re insured, contact your insurance company to find out about your mental health care coverage.
Q. How can your teen help herself if she’s depressed?
A. People with depression may feel exhausted, helpless, and hopeless. But it’s important to realize that these feelings are part of the illness. Treatment can help. Your child should:
• Try to see a professional as soon as possible. Research shows that getting treatment sooner rather than later can relieve symptoms more quickly and reduce the length of time treatment is needed.
• Break up large tasks into small ones, and do what she can as she can. She should try not to do too many things at once.
• Spend time with other people and talk to a friend or relative about her feelings.
• Avoid making important decisions until she feels better. Discuss decisions with others whom she trusts and who know her well.
Q. What if I or someone I know is in crisis?
A. If you’re 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 or 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 800/273-TALK (800/273-8255) or TTY: 800/799-4TTY (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’re not left alone. If someone else is in crisis, make sure she is not left alone.
For more information
• Visit the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus website: medlineplus.gov (En Español: medlineplus.gov/spanish)
• For information on clinical trials, visit nimh.nih.gov/health/trials/index.shtml and National Library of Medicine clinical trials database: clinicaltrials.gov
• Check NIMH's website for the latest on this topic and to order publications.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health, nimh.nih.gov.