Manuel Weffer

English 1010-F14
Holly Guile
11/23/2014
Recognizing Depression in College Students within the United States

Depression is often unrecognizable and is a problem in many college communities within

the United States. Due to stressors beyond ones control, depression can occur at any moment.
There are signs to help recognize depression. There are many ways depression is harmful to
college students and their academics. Treatment for depression varies from prescription
medication to therapy sessions.
From the time he was little; he was admired and respected by everyone who knew him.
They were awed by his big brain but comforted by his laid-back attitude and easy smile.(Inez
Okrent) Early Sunday morning, on March 15, 1998, Mr. and Mrs. Okrent received a call from an
organ donation organization in Massachusetts asking permission to use their son Davids organs.
That is how they found out their son was dead. David was a student at Harvard who was
suffering from major depression. His parents had informed the school about this issue, but not
enough action was taken to care for the student and David ended his own life. The school had not
even bothered to call his parents with this awful news.
Davids story is only one out of the +40 million adults ages 18 and older who suffer from
depression in the United States. There are many factors that can increase the risk of depression.
This disorder can cause major disruption in the academic performance of college students and
can sometimes lead to suicide. Luckily, there are warning signs that college students and faculty
should know in order to help aid those who suffer from this disorder.

According to the Stanford School of Medicine, at least ten percent of people in the United
States will experience major depression sometime in their life. Depression can affect anyone at
any time. Knowing the factors that increase the risk of depression can determine how serious the
problem is and even suggest the right steps to take in order to receive help. These originators can
include: family history, stress, alcohol, drugs, and typical life events. Depression has yet to be
determined as genetic. This does not mean it cannot be prevalent within a family. Having an
immediate family member struggling with depression or addiction can increase the risk. Early
childhood events such as abuse, neglect, loss, or any other type of trauma can contribute to adult
depression later in life. The stresses of life can lead to a major spell of depression. With just the
daily hassles in life, some can find themselves completely overwhelmed and unmotivated to do
much of anything. Alcoholism and drug addictions can be a cause and an outcome of depression.
Typical life events such as becoming unemployed, a breakup, or the loss of a loved one can
immensely increase the risk of depression. These factors should be taken into account when
consulting someone about their depression or should even be warning precursors to those who
witness one going through any of the mentioned above.
According to John Guthman, PhD, author of the study and director of student counseling
services at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. [] the percentage of students with moderate
to severe depression has gone up from 34 to 41 percent [] the rise in the more severe cases of
depression and anxiety in college students may be because more students are coming to college
with pre-existing mental health difficulties. (Table 10) In a 2011 survey of 1,600 students at the
University of Alberta, about 34% reported that within the last 12 months they felt so depressed
that it was difficult to function. An astonishing seven percent confessed theyd seriously
considered suicide. Individuals in their late teens and early twenties are further likely to suffer

from a mental illness. It is within this period of life that people become most vulnerable, moving
out on their own, having to ease into the new atmosphere of college, and in some cases,
experimenting with drugs and alcohol. This vulnerability allows progression of mental illness
such as depression and anxiety. The academics and performance of many college students is
affected as a result of depression. With high lack of motivation, students can find it hard to focus
on assignments and in class. These are two major factors that determine the overall grade of a
student. If students perform poorly, their grades will reflect that. Depression can worsen due to
the stress of poor grades that the student feels they have no control over. It is a never ending
cycle of stressors and depression.
Medical studies have shown that depression involves a chemical imbalance in the brain,
which influences mood and behavior. Recognizing these changes in an individual can determine
how to intervene with this problem and in most cases, save a life. Those who suffer from this
disorder report deriving little happiness from activities and hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Symptoms of depression can include, among other things, lack of energy, and motivation,
disrupted sleeping patterns, and general sadness. Experts indicate that depression is twice more
likely in teenage girls than in teenage boys. Behavioral changes should be noticeable in one with
depression. Feeling of irritability are anticipated. Sudden anger and fits of aggression can be
expected. A significant warning sign is being withdrawal from family and friends should demand
immediate action. In an ill-advised attempt to end their hopeless emotions, some will turn to
alcohol and drugs.
There are ways that those who witness depression or even personally suffer from this
insidious disorder can seek out help and take the right steps towards saving anothers or their
own life. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has created a website

www.adaa.org- to educate, inform and aid in the battle with this disorder. With links to
therapists, treatments, and information on how to find support, this website is an excellent map
into the long journey for help. If suicide becomes an issue, The National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline is a 24/7 hotline for the prevention of potential suicides. An individual can call 1-800237-8255 if they dread that they or a loved one has the contemplating thought of suicide.
College students suffering from depression should know that there is help out there and
that there are steps to take in order to conquer this obstacle. Teachers and faculty should learn to
recognize the symptoms and factors of depression and direct students with mental disorders in
the right direction. The performance of college students and how they handle depression relies
on those who are willing to take a step into the future of medicine and science to determine the
best way to aid the endless endeavor of this insidious mental illness.
Depression is not something you can cure with an antibiotic or cut away with a surgery.
Depression cant even be treated permanently. This does not mean that the disorder cant be
maintained. Treatment for depression can go from getting more sleep, to seeing a doctor about
prescription medication. Most people see therapy as the best option for their depression. There
are many ways to cope with the sudden feeling of misery. Ones diet, exercise routine, and sleep
schedule can affect how one feels and can give you a positive or negative response, depending
on how one tends to go about each. Doctors have several medications that can be prescribed in
order to treat depression and other mood/disorders, such as general anxiety disorder. These
prescriptions improve symptoms by increasing chemicals in the brain to help improve emotion.

Table 10 "Student Health at the University of Alberta." Www.uwell.ualerta.ca. NCHA, 1 Nov.

2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2014

Work Cited
Jones, Jami. "Now I Know Too Much To Turn Away." Newsweek 141.9 (2003): 12.
TOPICsearch. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
"Two New Studies Highlight Impact Of Depression In Teens." Mental Health Weekly 18.21
(2008): 3. TOPICsearch. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Shea, Rachel Hartigan. "On The Edge On Campus." U.S. News & World Report 132.5 (2002):
56. TOPICsearch. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Song, Sora. "Teens And Depression." Time 164.9 (2004): 67. TOPICsearch. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
"New Releases." Depression in Children and Teenagers. Harvard Health Publications. Web. 24
Nov. 2014.
<http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Depression_in_Children_and_Teenagers.htm>.