Depression Talk

Last time, we looked at a study that concluded that more than half of college and university students contemplate taking their own lives. The study also noted that many students who did feel suicidal never talk to anyone about those feelings. I also talked a little bit about my own suicidal feelings when I was in Millersville University. This post, we’re going to look at ways you can spot a college family member or friend as being suicidal.

You especailly want to pay attention to any peculiar behavior when you know that they have been diagnosed with depression or if they have just started taking anti-depressants or anti-seizure medication. Some medications will trigger sudden suicidal thoughts which go away a week or so after the medication is stopped.

And if you are a college student, then you want to look at these signs to see if you may need to reach out for help.

Signs of Suicidal Behavior

• Suddenly giving away posessions
• Avoiding contact with others as much as possible
• Talking about death, even in a joking way (unless the person has always done that)
• Loss of interest in everything
• Loss of interest in things that usually got them very excited
• Stays in bed all of the time or not at all

What Can You Do?

Ultimately, the decision as to whether to attempt suicide is going to come down to the individual. But you can help nudge the suicidal person in the “live” direction by doing a few things, such as:

• Not leaving the person alone
• Getting them to talk about anything
• Listening to them and paying attention when they do talk
• Encouraging them to eat without strapping them down and force-feeding them
• If they do talk about suicide, ask them who would most likely be the first person who would find them and what their reaction might be
• If worse comes to worse, call an ambulance

Helplines

There are many websites you can go to get more information about suicidal behavior and trying to get help when everything looks really bleak. Some places include:

Hope this helps.

I’ll freely admit it — I tried to commit suicide when attending Millersville University. Obviously, I screwed it up. That was way back in 1990, long before I would ever become the Prozac Poster Child that I am today. The pressure I was under was amazing — but it wasn’t from my courses. They were the easy part. The pressure was from my clinical depression.

Why College?

You’re under a complex series of hammer-blows while in college. First off, you’re not eating and sleeping regularly, so that’s going to accentuate any depression you may have. Also, you’re under a massive finacial burden that will be with you for the next fifteen years or so. For example, I was told point-blank by my parents that I had to get a degree in four years, because our family couldn’t afford for me to go another semester. (Somehow, I received an Associate’s and a Bachelor’s in four years. Yes, I was scared.)

Another pressure is that you are mourning the last remains of your childhood. That’s hard to give up, even if you had a bad childhood. You are expected to be the dull, boring grown-up you swore you’d never be.

This and many more pressures can cause suicidal thoughts in college students, even the night before graduation.

Anyone can get depression, no matter what their finacial status or their physical health.  Keep in mind, I’m not talking about feeling very sad, as the word “depression” is sometimes used.  I’m talking about clinical depression, which is a disease.  It was once listed in the 1980’s as an incurable disease by the New England Journal of Medicine.  Now, doctors, therapists and depression sufferers themselves feel hopefull that they can feel better. 

Say Hello To Shawn Andrews

One of the most recent celebrities to come out and admit that they have depression and need help for it is a forward for the Philadelphia Eagles, Shawn Andrews.  Less than a month before the first pre-season game, Andrews has asked for a leave of absense in order to deal with his depression.  His team, including coach Andy Reid, has been very supportive.  However, becuase depression is not considered a good enough reason to miss training camp, he is being fined $15,000 per day that he does not show up for training camp.  Andrews says his mental health is more important than money. He did return to training camp on August 11.

Another reason that Andrews decided to go public with his depression is that he hopes people who have depression will go get help and not think they have to handle it all on their own.  He also wanted to get help to be there for his son. 

So, if a well paid, athletic and successful father can come down with depression, so can anyone.  Getting depression is not a character flaw or proof that someone is “crazy”.  Personally, I think it’s crazy to work out in the August heat at Eagles training camp, but I’ve been told that’s a different kind of crazy. 

When Do You Get Depression?

This is one of the mysterious things about depression.  There certainly seems to be evidence that depression runs in families.  For example, both sides of my family have been diagnosed with depression.  However, you can also go bipping along through life until one day the depression has you.  I personally thing I’ve had depression sice the womb, but many others don’t develop painful and debilitating symptoms until puberty or their twenties or even later.

In conclusion, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re depressed or having suicdal thoughts.  Your doctor won’t be shocked and you won’t be locked up in a mental ward ala One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  You would go get help if you broke your arm, wouldn’t you?  Well, depression is a physical illness that needs equally prompt treatment.