It’s not uncommon for college students to face a variety of mental health challenges throughout their school years. The drastic changes and separation from family members can result in students developing mental health issues. In other situations, the busy workload and intense college curriculum exacerbate mental health problems that may have already been a preexisting factor before. When it comes to health, it’s always best to seek the help of a professional, and the same holds true for your emotional well-being. Your mental state is just as important as your physical state. If you’re a college student experiencing any of the following problems, it may be best to consider mental health counseling.
Anxiety
Most people experience fear and worry in moments of stress, but people with anxiety disorders tend to have feelings of panic and excessive worry for longer periods of time. These feelings interfere with their ability to navigate their day-to-day life and result in panic attacks that last for several minutes. Many studies have shown that anxiety is the most common mental health issue faced by college students today. It can come in the form of social anxiety, generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or a panic disorder. Some people develop anxiety following a traumatic event, while some develop it because of everyday stressors that result in a mental health crisis.
Depression
Another common mental health problem faced by college students is depression. Most people who experience depression have difficulty navigating everyday activities and lose interest in participating in life. It is characterized by feeling empty and hopeless. Those suffering from depression also experience irritability because every task feels a lot more difficult. Depression can also result in the inability to focus or concentrate on a task, and it can affect memory as well. For college students, this hopelessness and pessimism can become very concerning. If you suffer from depression, it may be a good idea to seek individual therapy. With a health care professional at Charlie Health, you can seek out effective treatment through talk therapy and personalized support. Speaking to a psychiatrist and choosing this type of therapy can make a significant difference in your life. Depression is not something that goes away on its own. With the help of individual or family therapy, you can establish rapport with a therapist within a number of sessions and take care of your mental well-being.
ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common problem for college students, and symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity tend to persist into adulthood for those who suffer from the disorder. This issue can often result in difficulty with focusing on a task, which results in below-average academic performance. Some people with ADHD might also experience difficulty following through on their activities. They often have problems with staying organized and keeping up with deadlines. Moreover, a lot of adults tend not to realize that they have ADHD. So, it’s best to see a health care professional about a diagnosis.
Addiction
Unfortunately, college is synonymous with the consumption of alcohol and the use of recreational drugs. It’s a time in which young adults feel the need to experiment before they go out experiencing the “real world.” When students depend on these substances to perform everyday tasks and cope with stressors, it can easily turn into an addiction. Their dependence becomes both physical and mental.
Just because college students often deal with mental health issues, it doesn’t mean you can’t have good experiences in college. If you’re in the process of applying for college, a college application editor from Empowerly can help you edit your college application to help you get into your dream school and guarantee your long-term success. The admissions process can be overwhelming, and having the help of a counselor can make it more manageable.
When you’re aware of the mental health issues that can develop while you’re in college, you can also take the best approach to deal with them.