VALENTINE'S Day has come and gone, leaving behind piles of chocolates and acres of roses. Many people enjoyed romantic dates with their college sweethearts, exchanged gifts and had a great day. Others may have been reminded that they had no significant other to enjoy the day with, and may have been a little depressed.
It may occur for just one day, but depression can be a serious problem that affects different people for different reasons, especially among college students. And too often this problem is overlooked or ignored.
Depression is a disorder that can range from temporary anxiety to long-term clinical problems. People of all ages, races and genders are at risk of depression, and many don't realize how pervasive it is in society. The college environment is a prime breeding ground for depression.
For many, depression first arises in college because they are away from close family members and longtime friends. Alcohol and drugs may become a problem for the first time. Add academic stress, bad eating and sleeping habits, and the knowledge that, more than ever before, what happens is your own responsibility, and depression can find its way into your life.
But depression often goes unnoticed or under-treated. Students should become more aware of indicators of depression in themselves and learn to recognize these signs in their friends.
According to the Web page of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the University's Elson Student Health Center, there are many symptoms of depression. Chronic sadness, anxious moods, over- or under-eating, and irregular sleep patterns may be signs of a depressed person.
Other indications include poor concentration, lack of energy, apathy, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt, and irritability (http://www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/caps/common/depres~1.htm). Many people experience these symptoms at one point or another, but if they persist, sufferers need to seek help. University students can contact CAPS for help at 243-5150 or 924-5556.
The good news is that depression can be cured. The first step - which so many people never take - is consulting a counselor or physician for a mental health evaluation. These evaluations can pinpoint specific elements of stress or depression and can help provide ways to alleviate them. They also can show whether the problem is something short-term which counseling can cure, or a serious clinical disorder treatable by medication. Either way, one has to seek an initial treatment evaluation in order to find out more. And this is a step too few students take. The steps to getting better once depression is detected are easy. Taking time to heal, relaxing, and enjoying the positive things in life are crucial to turning one's mental health around.
Major life decisions should be avoided or approached with care because of the stress they produce. Spending time participating in enjoyable activities and with supportive friends and family can take one's mind off these major choices and ease stress.
Physical improvements are necessary as well. Students should consciously avoid alcohol and drugs while suffering from depression, as these may increase or prolong symptoms. A healthy lifestyle, including plenty of sleep and a healthy diet, is a key ingredient to preventing or recovery from depression. Without these improvements, depression may continue without improvement.
But depression can fixed, and the benefits of living a depression-free life far outweigh the stress and anxiety that arises out of untreated cases. So do it.
One of the main causes for depression among college students is also one of the main ways to fix it. Students are newly aware that they have more responsibility for their lives and find themselves faced with many opportunities for failure and rejection. They are vulnerable to the outcomes that accompany the decisions they make, and often feel saddened or depressed if they fail.
However, this newfound responsibility is one of the most important things a student encounters in college. The ability to face challenges in a mature way and continue despite possible failure is a priceless tool students will need once they head out into the adult world. Students need to be responsible enough to seek help is they feel depressed as well as to help friends who need support.
Valentine's Day may have left a few people feeling blue, but for many college students depression is more serious and should be treated. If you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of depression, give yourself or them a valuable Valentine's gift and seek help.
(Brandon Almond's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily.)
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