Coping With Depression

Anyone can become depressed following an unfortunate combination of circumstances. Depression can affect the way an individual feels about him or herself, eats and sleeps, and the way a person thinks about things. You or someone you know may be depressed if experiencing five of the following symptoms:

• Mood is depressed for most of the day, almost everyday
  
  
• Inability to experience pleasure or feel interest in daily activities
  
  
• Changes in sleep (insomnia or hypersomnia)
  
  
• Suicidal thoughts, feelings and or behaviors
  
  
• Functioning is significantly impaired
  
  
• Loss of motivation
  
  
• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness that are inappropriate
  
  
• Appetite changes (increase or decrease); weight changes by 5% or more
  
  
• Crying spells, sadness, and/or irritability
  
  
• Indecisiveness, poor concentration or diminished attention span
  
  
• Loss of energy
  
  
• A lack of sexual desire

Keep in mind that depression is a treatable condition

Causes of Depression

Depression is typically caused by a combination of biological, genetic, and psychological factors. Listed below are some common reasons many college students become depressed:

• Difficulty adjusting to college
• Difficulty establishing new relationships
• Loss of significant relationship
• Parental conflict
• Academic difficulties
• Financial problems
• Consumption of alcohol and drugs
• Unrealistic expectations
• Negative thinking

Depression is NOT the result of laziness, weakness, personal failure, or lack of will power.

This handout was created by Vivian Barnette, Ph.D.