Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are serious issues that can affect many aspects of your life. The information provided on this page is to help make you aware of the signs of depression and anxiety so you can seek help if needed.
Recognizing Depression and Anxiety
Do you feel like something is keeping you down? Are you in a slump that you cannot get out of? To understand how to make ourselves feel better, happier, and more relaxed we need to understand what it means to be depressed or anxious.
Depression affects both men and women, but more women than men are likely to be diagnosed with depression in any given year. Many women with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the vast majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment.
Please note that the information provided on these pages is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you feel like you are suffering from depression or anxiety disorders please seek our professional medical help.
What does depression look like?
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities—things that used to be exciting
- Depressed mood or crying more than usual
- Sleeping more or a lot less than usual
- Concentration and energy may be much lower than usual
- Losing or gaining weight
- Agitated by small things
- Fatigued and slowed down
- Low self esteem, feeling bad about yourself and being self-critical
What does anxiety look like?
- Excessive worrying on a daily basis
- Difficulty controlling worry
- Restless, keyed up or on edge
- Difficulty concentrating or mind goes blank
- Irritable and physically tense
- Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep
- Panic or panic-like symptoms in unpredictable situations
- Development of elaborate rituals or thought-processes to manage anxiety
- Difficulty taking tests, finishing assignments, socializing or talking to professors
Staying Healthy and Preventing Depression and Anxiety:
- Graduate school seems to consume much of your free time and it is easy to forget to make time to pursue personal interests. Take the initiative to join one of the many student clubs on campus or join the Student Council and connect with the community around you.
- Consistent exercise has many benefits and is a great way to stave off the effects of stress, and releases mood improving endorphins. Exercise also helps regulate your sleep patterns— a must when attempting to counter act the effects of depression.
- If you don’t like going to the gym for exercise, try biking, rollerblading or swimming! Monterey is a great place to be active outdoors, and there are many biking and running trails near campus.
- Without healthy foods and a well balanced diet our body and brain cannot function at its peak. Living in Monterey makes it easy to have access to inexpensive, healthy foods on a regular basis.
- Getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night is important for our physical and emotional health. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule will improve class attendance, attention span, and your ability to cope with the stresses of graduate school.
When to Get Help
- Many times our sad and anxious feelings can spill over and affect the most important parts of our lives, like school, friends and family. This is a good indicator that we could use some help.
- Helping a friend? It’s common to feel embarrassed about addressing a friend’s anxiety or depression, but it is okay to bring the issue out in the open. Your objective is to show your concern and offer assistance. Consult with a counselor for some strategies on how to speak with a friend or family member you are concerned about.
Addressing Depression and Anxiety
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Well Connect:1-800-326-6142 The Wellness Corporation can connect you with local services to help treat depression and anxiety. |
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Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula 1-800-499-5135 Behavioral Health Services |
