I was reading an article in Time magazine that reported in 2017, nearly 40% of college students felt so depressed during the school year that it was difficult for them to complete the year. And 61% of students said they had “felt overwhelming anxiety” in the same time period (survey conducted by American College Heath Association). The article continued stating most college counseling services are working with limited resources, making the demand for services difficult to fulfill. It got me thinking … how can we better prepare our children for a time when anxiety and depression can begin and impact their life?
It is important to understand it is not uncommon for symptoms of depression and anxiety to creep up for the first time when there are big transitions, such as going away to college. For many kids, the changes going on in their lives become so overwhelming that it impacts their daily lives, preventing them from everyday tasks such as completing assignments or attending class. Then feelings of shame and guilt begin to compound, leaving them feeling even worse.
As parents or others involved in caring for our youth, it is our job to prepare our kids for these types of everyday life challenges, and it starts with helping to normalize their feelings just like we normalize physical symptoms when they are physically ill. But what I have found to be an obstacle of viewing life from this vantage point is the belief that there is something wrong with you if you are having symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Common Signs of Anxiety & Depression
One of the ways to help prepare our youth for addressing the feelings of stressed or depressed is to understand how to assess for both.
Another way to help our youth manage their stressed and depressed feelings is to think proactively by encouraging them to seek individual counseling. Learning new ways to cope with stressed and depressed can provide relief and a plan to help minimize back-to-school blues or times of transition.
|
Common Signs of Stress
|
Common Signs of Depression
|
| Trouble sleeping | Withdrawing from other people |
| Feeling overwhelmed | Feeling sad and hopeless |
| Problems with memory | Lack of energy, enthusiasm and motivation |
| Problems concentrating | Trouble making decisions |
| Change in eating habits | Being restless, agitated and irritable |
| Feeling nervous or anxious | Eating more or less than usual |
| Feeling angry, irritable or easily frustrated | Sleeping more or less than usual |
| Feeling burned out from studying or schoolwork | Trouble concentrating |
| Feeling that you can’t overcome difficulties in your life | Trouble with memory |
| Trouble functioning in class or in your personal life | Feeling bad about yourself or feeling guilty |
| Anger and rage | |
| Feeling that you can’t overcome difficulties in your life | |
| Trouble functioning in your class or in your personal life | |
| Thoughts of suicide |
Schedule Counseling Services at Sound Mind Therapy
At Sound Mind Therapy, we challenge the stigma of seeking help by offering therapy through a Supporting, Educating and Empowering model to “SEE” life from a different perspective. We support an individual as they connect to their emotions, build coping strategies and begin to trust in themselves and their value. We know life is a process of continuous change. We value the opportunity to provide education that enables clients to look within, identify their impasse and move in the direction of their purpose, passion and wellbeing.
To make an appointment for counseling services, please call our office at (314) 499-9144 . From our office in Creve Coeur, we serve residents of St. Charles, Town and Country, Clayton and other St. Louis suburbs.