College is often dubbed the best time of one’s life. It is a phase that offers thrilling experiences, newfound freedom, and personal growth. However, beneath this invigorating journey, lies a multitude of challenges, especially concerning mental health. As college students grapple with transitioning into adulthood, they encounter unique pressures that can have a profound impact on their mental well-being. In this blog article, we will shed light on common mental health issues that college students face, aiming to raise awareness and provide insights on how to navigate these challenges effectively.
Academic Stress
Academic responsibilities are a significant trigger for mental health concerns among college students. The pressure to excel academically, meet deadlines, and maintain a high GPA can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. Striking a balance between coursework, studying, and self-care can prove daunting, leaving students susceptible to burnout and feelings of inadequacy.
Addiction and Substance Use Disorders in College Students
Students often turn to substances to cope with stress or a mental health disorder. Too often, this leads to substance use disorders, and if students don’t receive treatment for addiction, it can easily destroy lives.
Recent research has revealed that 37% of college students regularly use an illegal drug or abuse alcohol. Binge drinking is particularly rampant among college students, with 40.5% of students who drink reporting binge drinking.
ADHD in College Students
Success in college requires organization and time management. These skills are difficult for students who have ADHD. Maintaining a full class load and completing assignments on time can feel overwhelming. Research suggests that students with ADHD “experience greater emotional distress and psychological difficulties than other students.”
To cope with their stress, students may turn to substance use. Research shows that college students with ADHD typically report greater alcohol and drug use than do their peers.
Anxiety Disorders in College Students
College life often triggers or exacerbates anxiety disorders. The transition to a new environment, dealing with social pressures, making friends, and uncertainties about the future can intensify feelings of worry and unease. Students may experience generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, social anxiety, or specific phobias, which require attention and support to manage effectively.
Throughout their college careers, students remain in a state of “transition” – from adolescence to adulthood, from student to professional, from dependent to independent. In the midst of such a major life transition, along with the everyday stresses of the collegiate environment, anxiety is prevalent.
Bipolar Disorders in College Students
Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of manic activity and extreme depression. Because college students often experience stress and fatigue due to high workloads, symptoms of bipolar disorder may be overlooked. Symptoms may be seen as mood swings or other minor emotional stress when they are actually indicators of a major mental health disorder.
Severe mood swings can negatively impact a student’s day-to-day functioning. If bipolar disorder is not treated, the student will likely suffer academically and personally.
Eating Disorders in College Students
The National Eating Disorders Association reports that roughly 20% of female and 10% of male college students struggle with eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia are the most common eating disorders. These conditions can be devastating to a students’ health if not treated.
In some cases, students who are trying to manage a busy schedule don’t make the time or effort to eat properly, which can lead to an eating disorder. Others may feel pressure to look thinner or lose weight and develop an eating disorder due to this pressure.
Depression/Suicide in College Students
At least a third of college students struggle with depression. The typical college environment that combines poor eating habits, little sleep, and lack of exercise offers the perfect recipe for depression. It is under these conditions that students try to balance work, classes, and relationships. Often, it feels like too much.
Self-Injury in College Students
The stress of college life can trigger self-injury behavior. Students may self-harm to cope with intense feelings such as anger, sadness, or loss of control. Students may feel powerless or emotionally numb or unable to express emotions, and these conditions can contribute to a desire to self-harm. Common self-injuries include burning, cutting, and scratching. Severe forms of self-injury increase the risk of suicide.11 A 2020 Healthy Minds study found that 23% of college students inflicted harm upon themselves in the past year.
Sleeping Issues and Disorders in College Students
Multiple types of sleep issues and disorders are frequently reported in college students, including insomnia, restless leg syndrome, nightmares, circadian rhythm disorders (CRDs), narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and affective disorders.
These sleep disorders can severely impair student’s academic success and mental health. Poor or inadequate sleep causes daytime sleepiness, which affects mental alertness, concentration, and the ability to deal with tasks that require problem-solving, attention to detail, and memory.
As a result, college students who experience sleep disorders are at higher risk of academic failure and mental health issues.
Schizophrenia in College Students
Individuals with schizophrenia typically experience their first psychotic episode when they are 18 to 24 years old. This puts them at college age. Often, the signs of this disorder are missed because the erratic behavior it causes is blamed on school-related stress, lack of sleep, or excitement. Fortunately, when diagnosed and treated, schizophrenia is often manageable, and students with this disorder can complete their degree.
Struggles With Identity in College Students
For most students, college is not only a time of academic learning, but also learning about oneself. Students wrestle with who they are in relation to their family of origin, their ancestry, and who they want to become personally and professionally. They must decide what groups to align themselves with, and they may experience rejection during this journey.
This struggle with identity can be healthy and help students grow into strong adults. However, it may also involve painful experiences that can create or exacerbate existing mental health issues.
Conclusion
Every college student deserves to thrive, both academically and mentally. By being aware of the prevalent mental health issues in college, we can collectively work towards destigmatizing seeking help and providing essential support systems for those in need. It is crucial for students, educational institutions, and parents to prioritize mental well-being, foster open discussions, and offer accessible resources to ensure that college remains a transformative journey that empowers rather than depletes students’ mental health.
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