Candice Thompson
In Motion Staff Writer
Stress. It is a normal part of our daily lives. And no wonder with work, family, chores, church and gym. It can get daunting.
Now add a college schedule to an already hectic week. Life can be difficult and stress can turn into anxiety, panic attacks and depression quickly. Not surprising. Books, tuition, schedules, teachers, GPAs, studying, peers, sleep!
There’s no wonder some simply can’t keep up with it all. Hey Toto, you are not in high school anymore!
But what happens when the overwhelming stress, heart pounding anxiety and fear-gripping panic attacks start to take over? Everyone has been sad at some point in their lives, but what if that feeling is more than sadness? What if it does not go away?
According to Suicide.Org, a nonprofit, reputable site founded 11 years ago, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. The number one cause of suicide is depression. Every year, an estimated 30,000 people successfully commit suicide, while 750,000 make an attempt. Eighty-three people die by suicide every single day.
Although help is available, many choose not to reach out. Fear, embarrassment, the feeling that they should be able to handle this and any situation are some of the reasons why. Some people feel if they ask for help they are weak. Some think they can handle it on their own. Some even believe they are the only ones in the world who feel this way.
“Everyone else seems to be coping just fine! What is wrong with me that I cannot?”
This is simply not true. They are not alone.
Depression does not discriminate. Neither does anxiety nor panic. They can affect anyone at any time. Including me. I have been battling depression, social anxiety and panic attacks for six years. I have had thoughts of suicide. I have woken up to a panic attack, my heart pounding so fiercely in my chest that I am gasping for air before I am even fully awake.
You are not alone. I am here in the trenches with you, my friend. I will tell you, I was only able to begin to learn how to handle it after I asked for help.
Depression and anxiety are nothing to be embarrassed about. It does not mean you are not smart enough to figure out how to handle life, or strong enough to figure out how to handle life situations on your own. Anyone who breaks an arm would not think they could, or should, fix it themselves. They would go to the hospital and seek a trained professional.
So why should depression, a life-threatening illness, be any different? Depression is simply imbalanced chemicals in the brain. Depression is common and extremely treatable. After all, 350 million people suffer from it.
Here are the signs: appearing sad all of the time; talk of suicide; sleeping or eating too much or too little; feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, rage, guilt or of being trapped; and loss of interest and doing poorly in school. Other indications are using drugs or alcohol, acting recklessly and impulsively, or dramatic mood changes.
If any of these signs last more than two weeks, professionals urge seeking help immediately.
Daytona State has a suicide prevention group on campus and students can also confide in any professor or counselor on campus that they trust. Pick up any phone and dial 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433), or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255 Spanish press 2). Or log on to WWW.Suicide.Org to find more helpful information. Most of these resources are available 24 hours a day for anyone who is suicidal.
Depression, anxiety and panic – it all stinks. And who has time for it? Reach out and get help today. Get that cast on that broken arm, start the healing process and get healthy so you can get on with your life. We need you! P.S. You are loved.