Key Points Defining Stress Causes of Stress 3 Symptoms of Distress

Depression
Unfortunately, a person’s inability to deal with stress can often lead to clinical depression.
People with depression have similar symptoms to stress, except the symptoms are not
temporary—they can last for weeks at a time. Because of the sustained symptoms, the effect
on the body, mood, and behavior is often more serious than with temporary stress.
Depression can have severe effects on your eating habits, your relationships, your ability
to work and study, and how you think and feel. The illness is not unique to a particular
group of people or area of the country. Millions of adult Americans, including many college
students, suffer from clinical depression.
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S E C T I O N 3
depression
a common mental
illness that affects a
person’s body, mood,
and thought—it causes
people to lose pleasure
from daily life, can
complicate other
medical conditions, and
can even lead to suicide
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It’s important to understand that clinical depression is a real, not an “imaginary” illness.
It’s not a passing mood or a sign of personal weakness. It demands treatment—and 80
percent of those treated begin to feel better in just a few weeks.
According to NIMH, the following symptoms are signs of major depression:
•
Sadness, anxiety, or “empty” feelings 
•
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
•
Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities 
•
Sleep disturbances (insomnia, oversleeping, or waking much earlier than usual) 
•
Appetite and weight changes (either loss or gain) 
•
Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness 
•
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts 
•
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering 
•
Irritability or excessive crying 
•
Chronic aches and pains not explained by another physical condition.
It’s normal to have some signs of depression some of the time. But the NIMH says
that if someone has five or more symptoms for two weeks or longer, or suffers noticeable
changes in normal functioning, that person should go to a mental health professional
for evaluation. Depressed people often may not be thinking clearly and may therefore
not seek help on their own. They frequently require encouragement from others—they
“need help to get help.”
Mental health professionals say depression among college students is a serious problem.
A recent UCLA survey of college freshmen indicates that today’s students are feeling more
overwhelmed and stressed than students did 15 years ago. The National Mental Health
Association reports that more than 30 percent of college freshmen report feeling
overwhelmed a great deal of the time.
If you think you might be depressed, you should talk with a qualified health-care or
mental-health professional. The resident adviser in your dorm, the student health center,
your family health-care provider, or a clergy member can help steer you to treatment
resources. Several effective treatments for depression are available, and—depending on the
severity of the symptoms—can provide relief in just a few weeks. But individuals respond
differently to treatment. If you don’t start feeling better after a few weeks, talk to your
treatment provider about other treatments, or seek a second opinion.
Suicide
As noted above, severe depression often manifests itself in thoughts about death or suicide,
or in suicide attempts. Many people are understandably uncomfortable talking about
suicide, but doing so can save lives. The NIMH reports that in 2000, suicide was the 11th
leading cause of death for all Americans and the third leading cause of death for those aged
15 to 24. While women are three times as likely to attempt suicide as men, men are four
times as likely as women to succeed.
There are many common myths about suicide:
•
If someone wants to die, nobody can stop that person. False. Most people thinking
about suicide don’t want to die: They want help.
•
If I ask someone about suicide, I’ll give that person the idea. False. That you cared
enough to ask may offer comfort to the person.
•
Suicide comes “out of the blue.” False. Usually, the person exhibits several warning
signs.