Mental Health Issues Affecting Students in College and High School

Identify the Signs

The earlier mental health issues can be diagnosed, the better. Whether you’re thinking of yourself, your child, or a friend, figuring it out while still in high school means that students have a chance to get a handle on their mental health before they have to deal with it alone in college. Some people will not manifest mental health issues until college, whereas others experience extreme pressures in their life or underlying mental health disorders in their teens. Regardless, you and your loved ones must be aware of what to look for so that you can seek help.

Many people will experience similar signs and symptoms of different types of mental health issues. A few highly noticeable signs to look out for are self-harm, developing an eating disorder, or alcohol or drug dependency. Other people will suffer from anxiety and depression with symptoms of shifting mood and appetite. These are highly dangerous as they can lead to suicide. Drugs and alcohol abuse can also lead to more extreme symptoms of anxiety and depression, even if they were originally turned to in order to alleviate those symptoms. If you or someone you know are abusing drugs or alcohol, are self-harming, have an eating disorder, or experience extreme mood swings, these could be signs of greater mental health disorders.

Young people are just as likely as older adults to self-medicate in ways that they feel are within their control rather than to ask for help or admit they are struggling. Friends and family should always try to provide an environment that is free from judgment and allow them to feel safe to express their feelings without ridicule or embarrassment. If you cannot find this support at home or amongst your friends, find a place where you can feel safe to express yourself in a productive and healthy way.

You might experience other signs and symptoms of potential mental health issues. Keep in mind that mental health issues can arise at any time in your life. However, most people experience the first signs and symptoms before the age of 25. You might find yourself pulling away from friends and family or activities and interests you previously enjoyed. You might find yourself sleeping far more than the standard 8 hours a night. It may be impossible for you to get out of bed or to attend an event or party with a lot of people. People who have difficulty concentrating or sitting still may have undiagnosed ADD or ADHD. All of these signs and symptoms could be representative of a more significant mental health concern and you should at least consider asking a professional for their opinion.

Signs of Depression

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 17 million adults and 2.3 million adolescents suffer at least one depressive episode each year. Depression is medically classified as a mood disorder causing consistent feelings of sadness for at least two weeks, as well as a temporary loss of interest in most aspects in life you typically find enjoyable such as exercise, going out, or even school.

People with depression cannot simply will depression to go away, it’s not a weakness or a sensation of being down in the dumps over an emotional situation. Depression is far more extreme. In many cases, you might not even be able to get out of bed. The diagnosis of depression indicates that it is negatively affecting your personal and/or school life, and even your work if you have a job.

Many causes of depression for high schoolers and college students are unique from those of adults with more life experience. In some instances, depression may stem from new pressures in life such as failing to live up to you or your parents’ expectations, feeling homesick, not sleeping enough, eating poorly, not exercising, or spending too much time on social media. Students, both teens and young adults, also struggle with learning about finances and relationships for the first time. However, depression can be triggered by any number of factors including biochemistry, genetics, low self-esteem, and environmental aspects such as being a victim of abuse, violence, poverty, or neglect. Those who experienced some of these as children may be at higher risk of depression in high school, college, or later in life.

It is difficult to hide the signs and symptoms of depression, such as:

If you ever have suicidal thoughts or fear a loved one has thoughts of suicide, it is critical that you call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255). It operates at all hours of every day, and it exists for both individuals with suicidal thoughts and those who are worried about a loved one.

For those of you who are depressed or fear a loved one might be depressed, it is also highly imperative to get them help, as depression can lead one down a dark path quite quickly. If your symptoms do not go away after a few days and persist for a week or more, it’s time to seek assistance. Asking for help might be one of the bravest and most difficult challenges of your life. However, once you do seek out help, your life will improve drastically.

Many of the top depression organizations for teens and young adults offer anonymous, online self-assessments, as well as unlimited information and guides on the best ways to proceed and where to find help near you. You might also consider talking to someone close to you whom you trust explicitly. If you are spiritual or religious, you could confide in one of your advisors or the pastor of a local church. They are often trained in basic counseling and can tell you when it’s time to find a professional.

The best action to take at this point is to seek out a medical professional who is qualified and trained in working with teens and young adults with depression. You can even use telemedicine to speak with doctors online so that it is more conducive to your schedule. Just remember that you are far from the only one in your school with depression. The difference is that those who seek help will have a far greater chance at success in life over those who do nothing. Be bold and brave, go seek help.

Signs of Anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America released data stating that roughly 40 million adults suffer from some form of an anxiety disorder. This makes anxiety the most common mental health issue in the US. It is important to note that anxiety is not the same as depression; however, it can lead to many of the same negative consequences and symptoms. People with an anxiety disorder may experience overwhelming feelings of worry, fear, terror, and panic regarding standard, everyday occurrences on a regular basis. Such feelings can disrupt your daily life as you attempt to control them, perhaps by avoiding situations or places that might trigger such feelings.

The root cause of anxiety disorders is still highly speculated at this time. They can occur in childhood and last a lifetime. It is believed that, many times, life experience plays a vital role in triggering anxiety disorders, such as traumatic events. It is also believed that genetics play a role and that anxiety may be a result of an underlying and possibly greater health concern. Anxiety has been linked to a number of medical issues such as respiratory disorders, diabetes, heart disease, alcohol withdrawal, drug misuse, tumors, and more. It is also possible that anxiety can be a side effect of medication. However, in younger people, it is often more likely a result of a traumatic experience, genetics, and/or stress. It’s important to note that your personality, drugs and alcohol, and additional mental health issues can also contribute to anxiety.

The common signs and symptoms of anxiety will vary from person to person. However, most symptoms and signs will be similar and include:

Your life will improve significantly once you seek out assistance. If your anxiety is disrupting any part of your life, it’s time to get help. The earlier you seek assistance the better your life will be in the long term. To begin, you should stop using drugs or alcohol if you participate in the consumption of either. It will only make your symptoms worse and can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts.

It’s also important to stay physically active, be social, and surround yourself with caring, positive people. In addition to taking the self-care steps mentioned, you need to speak with a medical professional. You can speak with your physician or make an appointment with a therapist. Both are excellent places to start.

Signs of Self-Injury

Self-injury, or self-harm, is far different from suicide and suicide attempts. The act of self-injury is not to kill oneself, but rather to simply injure one’s own body intentionally, often as a way to experience relief from frustration, emotional pain, or intense anger. It’s a coping mechanism that some young people and adults use to alleviate tension or stress which is meant to result in a sense of calm. However, many people who self-injure quickly experience feelings of guilt and shame, which results in the return of emotional struggles.

Again, the intent of self-injury is typically not to kill oneself; however, mistakes can be made during a self-harm incident which can lead to unintended death. Each individual will choose a different way to harm themselves for relief including cutting, scratching, burning, carving skin, self-hitting, skin piercing, and inserting objects below the skin’s surface. Most people choose to self-injure specific parts of the body such as arms, legs, or front torso. The injuries from self-harm can be difficult to detect, as they often perform the acts in private and on areas typically not exposed to public viewing.

It’s believed that the cause of self-injury is derived from the inability to manage emotions and poor coping skills. The exact reasons for self-harm varies from person to person. For some, it provides relief from anxiety, distress, stress, depression, or painful feelings. For others, it is a way to express their emotions outwardly rather than to bottle them up. It could even be a reaction to what they believe to be personal failings or faults.

Teenagers and young adults are most at risk for self-injury as the practice usually begins during preteen and teen years. Certain life aspects put young people more at risk such as loneliness, conflicts with parents, peer pressure, friends who self-injure, abuse, neglect, mental health issues, and the use of alcohol or drugs.

Some signs of self-injury are more subtle than others and they can include:

The act of self-harm is always a sign that it’s time to find support. Self-injury is a coping mechanism and a result of much larger issues that are not being addressed in a healthy and productive manner. If you are self-harming, find someone you can trust with whom to speak. This could be anyone such as a teacher, professor, friend, parent, spiritual advisor, etc. You might feel scared, embarrassed, judged, ashamed, or guilty and this is perfectly natural. However, the moment you reach out to someone, the path to healing starts so that the rest of your life can begin.

Signs of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders relate to the eating habits and behaviors of individuals that negatively impact one’s emotions, health, and ability to execute basic life functions and skills.

There are a wide variety of eating disorders, such as:

Anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating are the most common types of eating disorders. Nearly all of these disorders place an unhealthy amount of focus on food, body shape, and weight. This leads to the development of dangerous eating practices, malnutrition, and health issues, including heart and digestive issues, disease, and problems with the mouth, teeth, and bones. Teenagers and young adults are most susceptible to developing an unhealthy relationship with food and eating for a variety of reasons.

It is believed that eating disorders are directly related to genetics, biology, psychological health, and emotional health. The exact cause remains unclear, but it is likely a combination of factors. It may also be associated with underlying mental illnesses, as well as cultural and environmental aspects. Certain people are considered to be at a higher risk than others including people with low self-esteem, impulsive behavior, perfectionism, difficult relationships, pressure from family and friends, and stress.

It is important to note that people with eating disorders typically start out taking one step at a time toward an eating disorder, no one intends to develop these disorders. Over time, a one-time event or diet evolves into a greater and greater problem. In many instances, the individual starts out simply by trying to improve their appearance. The reasons for wanting to improve their image of themselves is the trigger that leads to an eating disorder.

Be sure you know the signs. Whether you are worried you might have a problem, or you are concerned for a loved one, the best place to begin is to know the signs, including:

Signs and symptoms will be different for everyone and vary based on the type of eating disorder. The most important aspect is to get help for yourself or for a loved one you feel may be struggling as it can be incredibly challenging to overcome on your own. Many sufferers do not believe they have an issue. Medical help is the best way to return to a healthy relationship with food and body image. A visit to your physician is a great place to start. They might recommend a variety of treatments including behavioral therapy, seeing a nutritionist, or even rehabilitation. There is no shame in needing help to live a better life and to become the best version of yourself both inside and out.

Signs of Drug and/or Alcohol Use

Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder includes the use of alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, medication, or illicit drugs. When someone is addicted to these substances, they cannot control the use of them as it is a disease that directly impacts your behavior and brain function. The addiction can prevent you from being able to stop the act, despite understanding the consequences to your physical health and life.

It is important to note that drug addiction can begin at any age for any number of reasons. Teenagers and young adults are particularly vulnerable due to peer pressure and the fact the brain is not yet fully developed until the age of 25. It is also important to understand that some drugs are more addictive, and can cause addiction more quickly, than others. Over time, individuals will also build up a tolerance, making the addiction more dangerous as it takes more and more of the substance to feel the same effects or to ward off withdrawal symptoms.

The cause of drug and alcohol addiction is similar to other mental health issues in that many factors could contribute to the addiction such as genetics, family beliefs, lack of family involvement, early use, additional underlying mental health issues, and peer pressure. Some people are simply genetically predisposed to addiction. This makes it particularly dangerous for these individuals to experiment with drugs and alcohol. However, though certain people are more at risk than others, everyone is at risk. Addictive substances can change the way your brain works, creating a need for the substance whether you are genetically predisposed or not.

When one becomes dependent on drugs or alcohol, it can change the course of your life. You could develop a series of complications that make life far more challenging than it needs to be such as developing health problems, STDs if a lack of inhibition leads to risky sex, suicide, health problems, relationship issues, poor grades, lack of motivation, legal issues, and more. All of these consequences can impact your future potential.

Be sure you know the signs, including:

Each substance will pose a unique set of signs and symptoms and some people will be better at hiding it than others. If you believe that you or someone you care about has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it’s important to get help. Some people are not comfortable confiding in family members and that is perfectly fine. You can always speak with school counselors, reach out to student drug and alcohol abuse organizations, attend 12-step meetings, reach out to a spiritual or religious advisor, or make an appointment with a psychologist or doctor.

It is also a good idea to call anonymous addiction hotlines or chat online with reputable recovery organizations. If you are truly ready for change, the best plan is to participate in a recovery program. You have plenty of options in recovery that will work with your schedule and that are designed specifically for younger people. If you are concerned about a loved one, try to communicate with and support them the best you can. In some cases, an intervention may be the best option. Drug addiction is a disease and it can be difficult to overcome. However, the right support and treatment will transform your trajectory in life.