Students suffer from disorder

Lack of control. Worthless. Unhappy. Irritable.

Students all across the United States and at the University are dealing with feelings associated with depression.

St. Mary's Hospital in Livonia, estimates that five percent of the population is experiencing major depression, and about 23 percent will experience major depression in their lifetime.

College students are far from immune to such feelings.

Many students may feel stress from parents, money troubles, or rocky relationships - all of which constitute a general lack of control over events in their lives.

BRYAN MCLELLAN/Daily James Hansell, a supervisor at the University Psychological Clinic, recommended therapy for students battling depression.

They often feel "sort of alone in a room full of people," said Matt, a School of Music student, who asked that his last name not be used.

Common emotional symptoms include a guilty conscience and feelings of hopelessness. On a more physical level, loss of energy and sleep, dwindling appetite and decreased sex drive are all red flags for a depressed student.

Nineteen-year-old Livonia resident Andrea, who was a student at Marygrove College in Detroit, relates being depressed to "stuff you'd see on an afterschool special." Her depression came from long-term anorexia and bulimia.

"I had to quit school and quit work because of it," Andrea said. "I started to feel worthless. My family saw me as the sick one. I'm not just food - I'm a person, not just an anorexic."

James Hansell, a supervisor at the University Psychological Clinic, said therapy is always the best way to combat depression.

"(Anyone feeling) significant distress should seek help," Hansell said. "(Therapy) helps people identify the distortions in their thinking that might make them depressed ... (It) helps them figure out where these distortions come from."

Hansell said students who foresee an upcoming event that will likely cause struggles with depression might consider seeking therapy ahead of time. Hansell said major transitions in life can be a cause of depression.

There are several types of depression, Hansell said. Major depression is intense, usually hitting a person suddenly. Chronic depression is less severe, but can last for several months or years. Bipolar, or manic depression, is less common, and characterized by frequent mood swings from extreme highs to extreme lows.

Many people experience smaller bouts of depression that are not always diagnosed, but are also significant, Hansell said.

Students who feel depressed but don't seek professional help said they often come up with their own solutions to minor phases of depression.

Some said they will do things such as vent frustration to a friendly ear or organize their thoughts on paper. Others said they look to more unorthodox coping measures, such as indulging in chocolate, attacking unsuspecting phonebooks or tuning into the blues.

Indeed, coping with depression can be very personalized. Soliciting a hug or the company of someone who will "let (them) scream" helps some students, while others said they prefer just to be left alone.

If someone shows signs of depression, the best thing to do is to give them positive encouragement, Hansell said.

Jim Etzkorn, a psychologist for Counseling and Psychological Services in the Michigan Union, said those suffering from depression often need help putting problems in perspective. It is best to encourage them depressed to take a step back and look at the situation and assess the consequences, Etzkorn said.

Andrea agreed that being overly concerned often intensifies feelings of depression. Andrea said she often has the urge to tell those helping her in an unconstructive way to "leave me alone about it, I'm trying the best I can."

She said the best way to help those depressed is to listen and keep the depressed person busy.

Engineering first-year student Scott Bullock said working out issues of depression has to be an individual experience.

"It is ultimately up to the person suffering from the depression, for only he can fully understand the causes of his grief," Bullock said. "Accordingly, only he can remedy his pain."

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