Expert
suggests alternative remedies for depression
By
Karla Casillas
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
Depression affects more than 19 million Americans ages 18 and over each year,
and college students are no exception.
There are different ways to deal with depression, but before anyone can go
seek help, they need to assess their symptoms and be diagnosed with depression.
A person may be depressed when he or she feels sad for weeks, according to
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration.
As the weeks progress and the feeling of sadness persists, people may see changes
in their appetite or sleeping patterns, feel worthless or hopeless and have
trouble concentrating or are fatigued. The list of symptoms is numerous, but
as depression begins to take over a person’s daily life, a person may
feel physical symptoms as well. These include headaches and stomachaches, and
thoughts of suicide begin to occur.
If four or more of the symptoms are being experienced at the same time for
more than two weeks, depression is often the cause.
Depression in college students can be caused by almost anything. No one thing
causes depression; it is a combination of current circumstances and the environment.
Some common causes for students are course overload, work or disappointment
in relationships. The amount of stress and anxiety can lead to depression.
Once depression has been diagnosed, a person can seek professional help.
Judy Prince, a psychologist at Counseling and Psychological services, said
many people think they must be crazy if they need help.
“
There is an unfortunate stigma attached to [mental health],” Prince said.
She explained how it is easier to sympathize with people who have diabetes
or cancer because it is not their fault they are sick. When it comes to mental
health and depression, the person may not get sympathy because people think
it is something they brought on themselves.
Some people can snap out of it, but it depends on the person and the feelings
they are experiencing.
There are many types of depression and they can be listed under two categories.
Prince listed the categories as developmental issues and clinical issues.
Developmental issues are the things that can happen to anyone in their lifetime.
“
Any person can experience [developmental issues] at any time in life,” Prince
said.
Alternative methods to achieve mental health vary from self-help groups to
expressive therapies.
“
Each subjective experience may vary because everyone is unique,” Prince
said. “What works for one may not work for another.”
Shaheena Karimi , a CSULB student, and Evelyn Mejia, a liberal arts major,
have opposing views on how to get out of depression.
“
I surround myself with friends,” Karimi said. “It takes my mind
off things.”
She said she also likes to exercise and take long walks.
“
When I stay away from everyone I can resolve it by myself for myself,” Mejia
said.
A common alternative is self-help groups. These groups are usually free of
charge, voluntary, anonymous and confidential. People can go to the groups
and find people who share similar feelings and experiences.
Another common approach people use to beat depression is utilizing expressive
therapies. Expressive therapies are used a by many students without their knowledge.
Expressive therapy includes art therapies like drawing or painting, dance or
movement therapies and music and sound therapies.
Music and sound therapies have been used to treat stress, grief and depression.
“
Research suggests that music stimulates the body’s natural ‘feel
good’ chemicals — opiates and endorphins,” according to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Chris Dailey, a first year history major, surrounds himself in a positive environment
with his friends and listens to reggae music.
“
The music lifts you up and keeps you cheered,” Dailey said.
No matter what the method is used to become healthy, Prince said she recommends
students always talk to someone.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 80 percent who seek help
get better.
The
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)
at CSULB is available free of charge for
all CSULB students. The CPS works by appointment,
and the first step is the initial assessment.
Students will sit and talk about what is
going on in their life, Prince said. The
psychologist and the student talk for about
45 minutes, and by the end of the session,
the psychologist then recommends the next
step the student can take.
|
