Discuss how the "college blues," or mild depression affects college students, the reasons many college students suffer from this mild depression, how to distinguish the "college blues" from a more serious type of depression, and ways to combat the "college blues."

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that during the school year, many college students suffer symptoms of depression, which can exert a toll on academic performance. In one study, students diagnosed with depression scored half a grade point below nondepressed students. Some common reasons college students become depressed include: (1) Stresses from college work and pressures to choose a career can leave students feeling that they are missing out on fun or that all their hard work is meaningless. (2) Isolation and loneliness are common when students leave their support groups behind. In the past, family, a circle of high school friends, and often a boyfriend or girlfriend could be counted on for support and encouragement. (3) Problems with studying and grades frequently trigger depression. Many students start college with high aspirations and little prior experience with failure. At the same time, many lack basic skills necessary for academic success and are afraid of failure. (4) Depression can be triggered by the breakup of an intimate relationship, either with a former boyfriend or girlfriend or with a newly formed college romance. (5) Students who find it difficult to live up to their idealized images of themselves are especially prone to depression. (6) An added danger is that depressed students are more likely to abuse alcohol, which is a depressant. Most people know, obviously enough, when they are "down.". One should assume that more than a minor fluctuation in mood is involved when these conditions exist: (a) persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings; (b) feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness; (c) difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions; (d) feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism; and (e) loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex. Bouts of the college blues are closely related to stressful events. Learning to manage college work and to challenge self-critical thinking can help alleviate mild school-related depression. For example, if a person doesn't do well on a test or a class assignment, he or she should see it as a small, isolated setback, rather than "blowing it out-of-proportion," which could lead to depression. Students who strongly link everyday events to long-term goals, such as a successful career or high income, tend to overreact to day-to-day disappointments. It is also important to take daily tasks one step at a time and chip away at them. That way, one is less likely to feel overwhelmed, helpless, or hopeless. When one feels "blue," he or she should make a daily schedule for him or herself and schedule activities to fill up every hour during the day. It is best to start with easy activities and progress to more difficult tasks. Check off each item as it is completed. That way, one will begin to break the self-defeating cycle of feeling helpless and falling further behind. Because depressed students spend much of their time sleeping, a series of small accomplishments, successes, or pleasures may be all that a person needs to get going again. However, if one is lacking skills needed for success in college, he or she should ask for help in getting them. One should not remain "helpless.". Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness are usually supported by self-critical or negative thoughts. One should consider writing down such thoughts as they occur, especially those that immediately precede feelings of sadness. After a person has collected these thoughts, he or she should write a rational answer to each. For example, the thought "No one loves me" should be answered with a list of those who do care. One more point to keep in mind is this: When events begin to improve, try to accept it as a sign that better times lie ahead. Positive events are most likely to end depression if these events are viewed as stable and continuing, rather than temporary and fragile. Attacks of the college blues are common and should be distinguished from more serious cases of depression. Severe depression is a serious problem that can lead to suicide or a major impairment of emotional functioning. In such cases it would be wise to seek professional help.