Is It Normal to Feel Depression Before Going Off to College
College is supposed to be a big, exciting new chapter...right? If so, then why are you actually feeling depressed about it? Is there something wrong with you?
The answer is no, there is nothing wrong with you. In fact, you're not alone in feeling depressed before going off to college. It's normal to have confusing mixed feelings about stepping into this new stage of your life. After all, you're leaving behind the familiar and entering the unfamiliar. Your friends may be going to other schools, you may miss being around your family all the time, you may miss family pets. That's okay.
Let's look more closely at college depression and what you can do about it.
Why does college depression happen?
While "college depression" isn't a diagnosis on its own, it's a term used to describe depression that happens in, you guessed it, college. This is marked by low mood, loss of interest in hobbies, and persistent sadness or hopelessness that lasts for more than 2 weeks. It may not be something you can simply snap out of.
Because college students face a unique set of challenges, pressures, and anxiety, it can quickly become overwhelming. Suddenly, you don't have the same structure or surroundings you're used to. Instead, you're in charge of it all—and many don't know what to do with all that open potential.
Adapting to new schedules and workloads is tough on its own. Add in adjusting to life with new roommates, finding new friend groups, figuring our financials, etc. and you have a boatload of stress you've likely not felt before, making the transition to college life difficult. You may find yourself closing off, preventing you from making as many friends, which then contributes to loneliness and can exacerbate depression.
Recognizing the signs.
While it's normal to feel anxious and sad sometimes, it becomes a problem when it persists. Depression behaves very differently from normal mood fluctuations.
Some signs you might be experience college depression are:
● Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless
● Frequent irritability or frustration that's out of proportion to a situation
● Loss of interest in hobbies
● Sleeping too little or too much
● Feeling tired all the time
● Lack of motivation
● Eating much more or much less
● Physical pains and headaches seemingly without a cause
● Feeling that you're a failure
● Thoughts of self harm or suicide
Remember, everyone experiences depression differently, so you may not have all the symptoms or you may experience them to varying degrees. If you are having thoughts of self harm or suicide, reach out for help immediately.
Coping with college depression.
The good news is, college depression doesn't have to be permanent and you can successfully adapt to this new lifestyle. Here are some ways to cope:
Take it day by day. Don't rush to do too much at once. That will only make you feel more overwhelmed. Instead, start by breaking large tasks into small ones. Discover which kinds of of task and time management methods work best for you.
Practice self care. Even young, healthy college students need time for self care. This will be different for everyone, but may include doing a type of exercise you enjoy, creating healthy sleep habits, avoiding overuse of stimulants or alcohol, journaling, reading, painting, etc.
Find fun. When you're depressed, fun seems impossible. But with a little starting effort, you'll be surprised at how you can still find enjoyment. Perhaps you join a club or sports team, attend sporting events or art shows, etc.
Seek support. Colleges often have tons of resources at your disposal. You can reach out to your campus mental health clinic, look for local support groups, make time to talk to family and old friends, or try telehealth. There's no shame in asking for help or taking advantage of the resources available to you.
Ready to get a handle on college depression and start enjoying this new chapter? Reach out today to set up an appointment!