Common Mental Health Concerns Faced by College Students
Adjustment Issues
Reacting to life events with a greater degree of distress than would be expected
More information: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000932.htm
Anxiety Disorders
Overwhelming feelings of panic, fear, uncontrollable worries, recurrent memories of traumatic experiences, obsessive thoughts & compulsions, physiological symptoms of muscle tension, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal problems
More information: www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Anxiety-Disorders.aspx
Depression
Feelings of sadness, apathy or emotional numbness, worthlessness, guilt, hopelessness, helplessness, irritability, restlessness, changes in sleep patterns, weight gain or loss, loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, fatigue, concentration or decision-making difficulties, suicidal thoughts
More information: www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Depression.aspx
Bipolar Disorders
Commonly referred to as manic depression, involves volatile mood swings that disrupt one’s ability to go about their daily lives
More information: www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Bipolar-Disorder.aspx
Suicidality
Thinking, intending, planning or attempting to end one’s life often accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, depression, rage, social withdrawal &/or substance abuse
More information: www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=0519EC1A-D73A-8D90-7D2E9E2456182D66
Traumatic Experiences
Acute or Posttraumatic Stress reactions that include recurrent thoughts or memories of traumatic events such as combat experiences, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, accompanied by physiological arousal symptoms & avoidance of reminders of the trauma
More information
Acute Stress Disorder: www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/acute-stress-disorder.asp
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Posttraumtic-Stress-Disorder.aspx
Substance Abuse/Dependence Problems
Use of illicit substances (alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, anabolic steroids) in greater amount or frequency than desired, to a degree that negatively affects one’s relationships, family, occupation, health or causes legal problems. Use may be accompanied by physiological signs of tolerance &/or withdrawal, as well as involve the inability to quit despite efforts
More information: www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Addiction.aspx