We all go through ups and downs in our mood. Sadness is a normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but clinical depression is much more than just sadness. Depression is different in that it engulfs a person’s day-to-day life, interfering with the ability to study, work, eat, sleep and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting with little, if any, relief. Some depressed students experience agitation, anxiety and intense anger. The student may begin to show inconsistent class attendance or stop going out with their friends or roommates. Some students have recurrent thoughts of destruction and are preoccupied with death. Some desire to escape the pain through suicide. Fortunately, depression responds to treatment, with eighty to ninety percent of those treated showing improvement.
Many, if not most, students will experience reactive or situational depression at some point in their academic careers. It is a natural emotional and physical response to academic demands and challenges as well as life’s ups and downs. Depression is considered more severe when it interferes with the student’s ability to function in school, in social environments, or at work. Without treatment, depression can last weeks, months or years.