Before anything else, it is necessary to understand what depression is and how it arises so as not to make mistakes when trying to identify it, ok? In short, we can say that it is a mental disorder that negatively affects an individual’s mood, leaving them unhappy most of the time, quite anxious, unwilling to do things that previously interested them and with a continuous feeling of helplessness and failure.
In addition, it can also cause changes — mild, moderate or severe — in cognitive functions (memory, concentration, reasoning, etc.), self-esteem, socialization skills and physical health. Depression can be caused by a bad and significant event in a person’s life, such as the end of a relationship or the death of a family member to whom they were very close.
However, this is not a universal rule. In fact, many people develop this disease without having gone through a traumatic experience and, in the eyes of others, having a good quality of life. This is because it arises from a neuropsychological condition.
In other words, there is a dysregulation in the nervous system that hinders the function of neurotransmitters responsible for emotional well-being. To top it off, everyday situations that seem silly and irrelevant to others end up becoming triggers that stimulate this emotional discomfort and gradually increase the severity of the disorder.
This is why it becomes chronic and is studied and evaluated by both Medicine and Psychology in stages, from the mildest to the most critical — which unfortunately requires hospitalization and monitoring by health professionals due to the recurrence of suicidal ideas and the inability to perform basic daily tasks, such as eating or going to the bathroom.
Therefore, having depression is not the same as being sad or upset. Both things pass quickly and you will not see your life stop or be compromised because of it. Quite the opposite! With depression, however, the situation is quite different. It is something much more serious and consistent that needs to be treated.
The main challenges that can cause depression in college
As we mentioned earlier, there are some triggers that affect your psychological state and mood, leaving you emotionally weaker than you already are due to physical issues. The point is that they can occur in any environment, including the academic environment.
Examples include situations involving difficulty interacting with colleagues, being punctual and attending classes regularly, or managing to study and complete coursework. Not to mention the fear of not performing well throughout the course — even failing one or more subjects — and the fear of looking for an internship for a long time and not being able to find a job.
These are common challenges in a student’s daily life, but the effects they cause are not felt and experienced in the same way by everyone. Those who suffer from depression tend to become even more antisocial, experience high levels of anxiety and stress, and become disinterested in their own education and the future of their early careers because they only see obstacles and “certainties” that nothing will work out.
The importance of identifying cases of depression in college
Identifying depression in college is important because this disorder will gradually affect your relationships with your peers and teachers, harm your performance in class, cause you to get bad grades and prevent you from experiencing academic life as you should. This can even lead you to drop out of the course or even drop out of the degree you worked so hard for.
The need to take care of depression cases among college students
Through a process of self-awareness, it is possible to realize that your behavior, mood and emotional state are altered. When you recognize the symptoms and triggers, do not despair. It is important to try to remain calm and think consciously about what should be done.
For example, you can talk to close friends and family so that they know what is happening and can help you overcome this problem. In addition, it is very important to regularly consult a psychiatrist to take the necessary medication and to undergo therapy with a psychologist to reevaluate your lifestyle and promote cognitive and behavioral changes.
A third suggestion is to seek out the psychopedagogical support center at your educational institution, which is staffed by psychologists, pedagogues, and educators. These professionals will not only listen to you and provide moral support, but will also provide the assistance you need to continue your studies , keep up with your studies, and continue to develop academically and professionally.