2008 Woodie Awards
RSSDealing with depression
Editorial
By Edit Board
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Opinion
Clinical depression is one of the most prominent and least diagnosed diseases in the country. Depression disorders affect almost 20 million American adults, according to recent studies. On college campuses especially, many students face new pressures of living away from parents, balancing school work and interacting socially - all triggers that can lead some into long-term depression.
Having a bad day or feeling sad differs greatly from clinical depression and depression disorders, which are clinically diagnosed diseases. Someone who is clinically depressed can't simply cheer up because they want to, just as someone with heart disease can't lower their blood pressure without medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
Depression is such a disruptive disease because unlike physical ailments or easily-diagnosed diseases, depressions is hard to recognize by those experiencing even the most severe symptoms of depression. Many sufferers of depression ignore symptoms or don't understand why they always feel sad, taking their depression as a personal failing, especially in males who tend to communicate their feelings less.
Depression causes people to push away the friends and family that can help and also makes everyday tasks more difficult, pushing those suffering from depression into ever deepening spirals of depression - spirals that can eventually lead to attempting suicide.
The Lehigh community should try to be especially aware of the moods and feelings of its friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately, many shrug off a friend's bad mood or sadness as a personal attack against them, not a larger symptom of widespread depression. Especially because college is the first time away from family and close friends, it can lead to unchecked loneliness. Friends should not be afraid to probe deeper into someone if they feel they could be depressed or have bigger problems.
For those unfamiliar with clinical depression, its symptoms are a marked change in mood, persistent sadness, feeling empty, irritability, changes in sleep patterns, consistent fatigue, constant pessimism or thoughts of suicide. If you or anyone you know expresses some of these symptoms, an evaluation by the counseling center, a doctor at the health center or meeting with faculty are all confidential and free.
If you're one of the many who does not suffer from depression, then be friendly, reach out to outcasts and don't be afraid to give someone a hug or show a friendly gesture.
When dealing with depression, the worst thing to do is nothing at all. Don't assume someone is just in a funk. Speak out and try to help.
Having a bad day or feeling sad differs greatly from clinical depression and depression disorders, which are clinically diagnosed diseases. Someone who is clinically depressed can't simply cheer up because they want to, just as someone with heart disease can't lower their blood pressure without medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
Depression is such a disruptive disease because unlike physical ailments or easily-diagnosed diseases, depressions is hard to recognize by those experiencing even the most severe symptoms of depression. Many sufferers of depression ignore symptoms or don't understand why they always feel sad, taking their depression as a personal failing, especially in males who tend to communicate their feelings less.
Depression causes people to push away the friends and family that can help and also makes everyday tasks more difficult, pushing those suffering from depression into ever deepening spirals of depression - spirals that can eventually lead to attempting suicide.
The Lehigh community should try to be especially aware of the moods and feelings of its friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately, many shrug off a friend's bad mood or sadness as a personal attack against them, not a larger symptom of widespread depression. Especially because college is the first time away from family and close friends, it can lead to unchecked loneliness. Friends should not be afraid to probe deeper into someone if they feel they could be depressed or have bigger problems.
For those unfamiliar with clinical depression, its symptoms are a marked change in mood, persistent sadness, feeling empty, irritability, changes in sleep patterns, consistent fatigue, constant pessimism or thoughts of suicide. If you or anyone you know expresses some of these symptoms, an evaluation by the counseling center, a doctor at the health center or meeting with faculty are all confidential and free.
If you're one of the many who does not suffer from depression, then be friendly, reach out to outcasts and don't be afraid to give someone a hug or show a friendly gesture.
When dealing with depression, the worst thing to do is nothing at all. Don't assume someone is just in a funk. Speak out and try to help.
