Depression
Students often experience symptoms of depression while trying to cope with the pressures of school, work, friends and family. This is particularly true here at WPI, where it can be difficult managing the 7 week terms and you may find yourself feeling burnt out only mid way into a term. You may also find that it is difficult to refuel or regain energy to keep going. Whether you are receiving high grades or low ones, students are equally vulnerable to depression and feeling overwhelmed.
It is normal to feel sad when we experience feeling lonely after a relationship ends, someone we care about dies or we find ourselves far away from close friends and family. Stress can also leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted when facing a heavy work load, financial difficulties or roommate problems. However, the dismal feelings usually pass and we are able to still experience good times with friends and family. Although, when the sad feelings don't go away and they begin to interfere with your overall well being, it may be time to consider being evaluated for depression.
So how do you know if you are experiencing depression?
We all get the blues from time to time. So it is important to be aware of how long you have been experiencing these feelings. Remember, you do not need to be "crazy" to seek professional help. Even if you are just in a "rut", counseling can help you sort things out. In general, you may want to seek professional support if your attempts at self- help are ineffective and if your symptoms:
- Persist for several weeks
- Become more severe
- Lead to self-destructive thoughts and behavior
Below is a list of symptoms developed by the National Institute of Mental Health that may help clarify whether or not you want to seek help.
- Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, ranging from school work to sex
- Sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia or oversleeping)
- Eating disturbances (e.g., decreased or increased appetite and weight)
- Decreased energy, fatigue, and feeling "slowed down"
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
- Increased restlessness and irritability
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
- Physical symptoms- such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain- that don't respond to medical treatment
How to get help
If you or a friend is experiencing some of these symptoms of depression or just feeling down and you would like more information come visit us at the Student Development and Counseling Center. Your meeting will be completely confidential. You can call us at +1-508-831-5540 or stop by to make an appointment at 157 West St. (off Institute Road across the street from the bridge).
For more information on Depression search the following links:
- Self assessment Tool - Take a confidential self assessment test to discover if a professional consultation would be helpful for you.
- The Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection - A collection of pamphlets on a wide range of topics from colleges throughout the Country
-
Psychological Self-Help - Information on a comprehensive list of concerns related to psychological and developmental difficulties.
- The American Psychiatric Association - Information specific to the mental health wellness of college students Healthy Minds
- The Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at Austin - Offers comprehensive information on Depression as well as other topics regarding college mental health wellness.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: June 24, 2008 14:54:47