Monday, April 23, 2012

a depressed generation?

Week 10.Option 2: Is it normal for students to exhibit some signs of depression during college, or are even minor symptoms cause for concern? How can you tell when it's serious enough to seek help?

Today, depression is more common than it ever has been. With more medications being prescribed and more and more young adults suffering from depression. I am sure that this is because of a wide variety of reasons. These reasons can include things that are scientific, physiological, based on nutrition, based on culture, societal, and much much more. 

I do think its fairly common to see college students suffering from depression. I'm not sure if I would go as far as to say its "normal", but I would say its very common for students to experience long-term depression, if not at least periods of depressive symptoms at some point in their college career.

When its serious...

It is so important to know the symptioms and be on the look out, or at least aware of when someone might be showing signs. Things that would be considered serious, which we should look for include:

  • loss of interest in what used to be normal activities or hobbies
  • quick decrease or increase in weight
  • sluggish, slow movements and motor skills or appearances
  • repeated days of missed class
  • avoidance of people or certain situations
  • negative like "i'm no good" or "i'm not worth anything" and even more serious things like "I just want to give up." 
  • a general sense of feelings of hopelessness 

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