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Depression
Although college can be an exciting time, charged with new emotions, new experiences and new challenges, it can also be a confusing time for students filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and difficulties coping. The transitions of leaving home, leaving family and friends, moving into a new city, meeting new people, combined with the challenges of the academic environment easily contribute to feeling lonely and overwhelmed. For some, these feelings just "go away," but for others, they linger. For these individuals, the excitement of starting school begins to wear off, but the feelings of being "down in the dumps" do not. Thoughts of returning home, transferring schools, escaping or even ending one's life enter one's head. Although in moderation, these might be normal reactions to stress, transition, and the college experience, but if they persist, they can leave an individual feeling confused and scared.
We at the University Counseling Center (UCC) are here to help. We realize that college can be stressful for many people and want to provide students with information on how to identify signs and symptoms of depression. We believe that early identification leads to early intervention. Early intervention can help students feel better more quickly so they can better enjoy their college experience.
Below we have listed of some signs and symptoms associated with depression.
Depression
Loss of pleasure
Tearfulness
Fatigue
Change in sleep
Change in appetite
Decreased interest in relationships
Feelings of worthlessness
Guilt
More information on depression and "how to talk to a friend " can be found here.
If you or someone you know has been experiencing any of the above symptoms, please contact the UCC at 202-994-5300 and ask to speak with a counselor. This is a confidential service provided to students at GW. You can also go to the self-help section of this website to obtain more information.
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