Anxiety and Depression: Effective Strategies for Managing Symptoms To Thrive Through University
Anxiety and depression are commonly experienced by university students, so if you’re currently pursuing a higher education and you’re reading this, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural and often adaptive response to stress or perceived threats. Feelings of anxiety are similar to feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear; however, anxiety occurs when we perceive a situation as a threat, but in reality it is not dangerous. Anxiety is a more intense and persistent feeling of fear or unease that often lasts for a longer period of time.
Worry is a common, temporary response to everyday stressors or concerns. Anxiety, on the other hand, can feel overwhelming and is not always related to a specific trigger or situation.
When we worry or feel anxious we often experience physical symptoms such as restlessness, trouble concentrating, and muscle tension, Anxiety can also lead to more severe physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, sweating and muscle tension.
Anxiety also involves our thoughts (what we think or say to ourselves), and behaviours (what we do, or our actions).
Anxiety can have a significant impact on daily life, functioning and overall well-being. Symptoms of anxiety include:
Trouble concentrating or making decisions.
Feeling irritable, tense or restless.
Experiencing nausea or abdominal distress.
Having heart palpitations.
Sweating, trembling or shaking.
Trouble sleeping.
Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom.
Feeling occasional anxiety and worry are different from having an anxiety condition. Intense or persistent feelings of anxiety or dread that interfere with daily life might be signs of an anxiety disorder that could be helped through therapy and support.
What is depression?
Being depressed is a temporary state of feeling sadness, hopelessness, or low mood in response to life events like loss, disappointment, or significant stress. Like with anxiety, feeling depressed is different from having depression. Depression (such as Major Depressive Disorder) is a diagnosis and a common disorder. It involves a low mood or loss of pleasure and interest in activities for prolonged periods of weeks, months, or even years; and it significantly impairs a person's ability to function in daily life.
It can happen to anyone, but people who have lived through trauma, abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression.
Symptoms of depression include:
Difficulty with schoolwork
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Emotional outbursts, such as tearfulness, anger or irritability
Lack of energy or fatigue
Loss of interest in activities sports or social commitments
Poor self-esteem
Sense of being overwhelmed
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Unrealistic guilt
Anxiety And Depression Amongst College Students
College students are in a critical period of life where they face many challenges alone for the first time—such as living away from home and managing harder school assignments—while they also transition into adulthood.
This creates a perfect storm of stressors that can bring on symptoms of anxiety and depression which, if left unchecked, can chronically affect the mental health of college students.
That’s why it is so important to be aware of the signs you’re experiencing anxiety or depression, so that you can take steps to relieve your symptoms.
What Causes Anxiety and Depression In Students?
Trying to fit in, chaotic deadlines, excess caffeine (or other stimulants), all-nighters and many other factors contribute to anxiety and depression at college.
But the good news is that with the right coping mechanisms and healthy habits you can learn to reduce and prevent symptoms of anxiety and depression before they spiral out of control.
How To Manage Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
For students:
Avoid stressors: If you’re already feeling anxious, avoid doing things that might weigh on your mind and cause even more anxiety (like skipping class, or procrastinating).
Practice self-care: Maintaining healthy habits is a powerful way to improve your mood, but starting isn’t always easy. Begin small, and build off of that. These routines can take time to establish, so don’t be too harsh on yourself as you get started.
Find resources on campus: Your college campus will most likely have resources (such as therapists and advisors) available to help you deal with symptoms of anxiety.
For Parents: How to help your child manage symptoms of anxiety or depression in college:
Be supportive and resourceful. Encourage students to try the solutions we listed above, and take time to listen to their problems—sometimes they may want your advice, sometimes they just want you to listen while they vent.
Help them see the bigger picture. It can be easy for students to lose sight of the bigger picture when they are so preoccupied with upcoming deadlines and exams. Remind them that college is also a time to form positive relationships with peers and create fun memories—while preparing for future careers. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Build independent living skills at a young age. Teaching important life skills such as cooking healthy meals, doing laundry, and maintaining a clean environment sets students up for success in the long run.
Stress the importance of self-care. No one should be too busy to practice self-care. Remind your child how helpful self-care can be if you notice them start to feel overwhelmed. Listen, empathize and support—but don’t be preachy!
When To Ask For Professional Help
Self-management and natural supports from friends and family go a long way. But sometimes symptoms of anxiety and depression persist or are just too intense. Recognizing early on that you may need professional help could save you weeks or even months of feeling helpless, and can make your path to recovery easier.
Persistent sadness, anxiety, or trauma that affect your daily life are signs that you should seek professional support. Even common life situations like moving away from home or breaking up with a partner are situations where many would benefit from an appointment with a counsellor or psychologist.
Support can also be seen as preventative: helpful even when things are going well. All of us have feelings, emotions and difficulties in life that benefit from working through with a competent person.
Our Mental Health professionals are always available for a session if you feel like you need support that you aren’t able to get from friends or family. At Tall Tree, we take a personalized and patient-centric approach to your mental health and work as a team to ensure you are receiving the best possible care for your needs.
Wherever you are, we will meet you. Wherever you are going, we will support and empower you.
Reach out to us today and access the guidance you need.
Learn more about other conditions and health topics on our blog.
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