Coping with Mental Illness in College

College is an exciting time for young adults, but it is often challenging as well. With the pressure of school, being away from home, and trying to balance a social and academic life, many college students have a hard time adjusting to college. Some of them may even develop a mental illness in response to the stresses of college, such as depression, an eating disorder, or substance abuse problem. One mental illness a lot of college students struggle with is depression. A Major Depressive Episode is defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (DSM IV-TR) (2000) as a change in functioning and exhibiting at least five of the following symptoms over a consecutive two-week period, with at least one symptom being loss of interest or pleasure in activities or depressed mood: depressed mood experienced most of the day either objectively or subjectively, suicidal ideation, having a suicide plan, recurrent thoughts of death, or a suicide attempt, loss of interest in most or all activities, inability to concentrate or make decisions, weight change, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, sleeping too much or too little, loss of energy or fatigue, and either retardation or agitation in psychomotor skills that is noticeable by others. These symptoms must be present more days than not for at least two weeks' time.

I suffered from a major depressive episode in college, and it affected my ability to function academically and socially.

Depression can make homesickness worse. It can also make it hard to function academically; you might not feel like going to classes or doing your homework. You may not feel like participating in things you usually find fun and interesting and you might not want to interact with other people.

College students often change their eating patterns when they leave home; however, some may take solace in an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is defined by the DSM IV-TR (2000) as an extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though one is significantly underweight given his or her height and age. Additionally, those with anorexia refuse to maintain a minimum body weight, at least 85% of the weight expected for their height and age. Distorted body image, self-starvation, and the loss of a menstrual cycle for postmenarcheal females are other diagnostic criteria for anorexia.

Bulimia nervosa is defined by binge eating and purging behavior that occurs at least twice a week on average for the duration of three month or longer, according to the DSM IV-TR (2000). Binge eating is constituted by eating significantly more than a typical individual would eat in the same situation. Purging behavior is an inappropriate attempt to compensate for binge eating, and includes excessively exercising, giving oneself enemas, taking laxatives or diuretics, self-induced vomiting, and fasting. Individuals with bulimia may also evaluate him or herself on one's weight or body shape.

Other college students might suffer from Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, which is an eating disorder that significantly affects one's ability to function socially or academically, but is not anorexia or bulimia. An individual who compulsively overeats, an emotional eater, and individuals who meet most, but not all of the diagnostic criteria for anorexia or bulimia fit into this category.

I also suffered from an eating disorder in college. This really affected my ability to function socially more than anything else. I often did not attend social events because they involved food and I was afraid of eating in front of others, of gaining weight, and of becoming fat. It also affected my ability to connect with friends on a deeper level because I was always so worried about my weight and food.

Finally, though I have never struggled personally with this, I know a lot of college students struggle with alcohol and drug abuse problems. The DSM IV-TR (2000) defines substance abuse as any of the following occurring within a 12-month period: recurrent substance use, which results in one failing to meet major school, home, and/or work obligations, continuing to use a substance even though one has experienced social and/or interpersonal problems due to or exacerbated by the substance use, recurrent substance use in situations in which it is dangerous, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, and/or having recurrent legal problems that are substance-related.

Substance abuse problems can affect both social and academic functioning. Sometimes, partying and using alcohol or drugs becomes more important than one's friends or grades, which leads to both social and academic problems.

Each of these mental illnesses - substance abuse, eating disorders, and depression affect one's ability to function in college; however, college students and/or parents can find help for each of these issues. The first place to begin is in the college's counseling center. Make an appointment with a therapist. Once you see the therapist, be clear about what your specific issues are, why they bother you, and how they have affected your life. The therapist may opt to work with you on the issue or he or she might refer you to an outside counselor in the community if he or she believes another counselor could provide you more help than he or she is able.

If you see a counselor in the community, he or she may be able to provide you with a sliding-scale fee if you do not have medical insurance.

Sometimes outpatient therapy is not enough. If your counselor feels you could benefit from a more intensive treatment program, you should discuss this with your parents and make a mutual decision about your mental health treatment. Your parents and counselor can help you find the best program for your needs that is either covered by your insurance or has a payment plan you and/or your parents can manage.

College can be an exciting time, but it is often a challenging time for young adults as well. If you suffer with one of the mental illnesses talked about here or any other type of mental illness, please seek help for yourself in the counseling office located on your campus or from a therapist in the greater community. Seeking help for your particular issues will allow you to manage your mental illness and function more effectively in your college life.

Source:

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR. (2000). American Psychiatric Association: Washington, DC.