Depression
Among College Women
by Colleen Foley Over
the past few decades, society has begun to recognize depression
as a common disease among American adults, particularly affecting
women. More recently, researchers have been finding a large
number of cases of depression among college women. The reports
from the National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance
Center website indicates that nineteen million American adults
suffer from depression and thirteen percent of college women
suffer from the disease annually. Statistics from the reports
indicate that similar numbers of individuals suffer from anxiety
disorders. Women are five times more likely to suffer from
anxiety than are men. The report also stated that in 1998
suicide was the second leading cause of death among college
students.
Anyone who has
ever suffered from depression or anxiety can tell that you
do not feel like yourself, almost as if you are having an
out-of-body experience. Some signs of depression include sleeping
too much or not enough, poor concentration, weight loss or
weight gain, low or no sex drive, helplessness or irritability.
Of these symptoms, hopelessness and irritability are the two
that are found more commonly among women than men.
As a female student
who suffered through some months of mild depression while
in school, I feel I have some insight as to why so many college
women are feeling overwhelmed. The combination of intense
course loads, family issues, work schedules, and relationship
problems is too much. When these events happen individually
they are tough enough, but many readers may agree, it seems
that stressful events tend to happen all at the same time,
increasing the impact they have on your life.
Also, the tragic
events that have occurred in this country and around the world
over the last year have left an impact on students. Feelings
of anxiety about everyday safety and uncertainty about the
future have left some students feeling more overwhelmed and
anxious than usual. These feelings all lead to a sense of
loss and loneliness, leaving people feeling as if their inner
spirits have been lost or changed as a result of stressors
in their lives.
It is estimated
that over half of female students with depression suffer unknowingly.
Women often recognize that they do not feel well and that
something is not quite right inside of them, but they are
unaware or unwilling to admit they are displaying signs of
anxiety or depression.
If you feel as
though you suffer from any of these symptoms, there are many
things you can do. First, and most importantly, you should
seek the help of a counselor.
Towson has an excellent
Counseling Center, staffed by professionals. It is open Monday
through Friday from 8am to 5pm during the fall and spring
semesters. In the meantime, you can try some self-help techniques:
- Goal setting.
Break down large tasks into smaller more manageable projects.
Upon completion of these goals, your self-esteem will be
higher and hopefully you will have gained a sense of control
over your life.
- Relaxation and
breathing techniques. These have been known to reduce stress
and anxiety.
- Exercise. Take
a brisk outdoor walk. Hit the gym. Get moving to lift your
spirits. Towson has great aerobics classes on a daily basis.
Class schedules are available in Burdick Hall. Remember;
"Healthy mind, healthy body."
If you are suffering
from depression it will be hard to get motivated in the beginning,
so start small and try to enlist others to help you stay with
it. For example, plan to jog at a certain time every day with
a friend, or take an exercise class where you are surrounded
by peers and motivated by an instructor.
I wrote this article
because I felt isolated and scared, when I was in a period
of mild depression last year. Feeling as if you are not yourself
is one of the scariest feelings, especially when you feel
as though no one understands what you are experiencing. It
was not until I researched the topic that I realized my feelings
were far from uncommon. I hope this article will help others
feel less isolated and give them options, in terms of places
to turn for help.
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