This week's article is short, but focuses on something all graduate students need to pay attention to. According to the American Society for Suicide Prevention, graduate students are at a higher risk of depression and suicide than are undergraduate students.
Why? Graduate students tend to be highly focused, goal-oriented individuals who concentrate excessively on achievement and outcomes (in other words, Type A personalities). We have a tendency to over-focus on academia and lose touch with friends and sometimes even loved-ones. In the absence of supportive relationships, we begin to question ourselves--our place, our value--and sometimes even doubt our self-worth. Combine this with a tendency not to eat right, not to get sufficient rest, and to generally let our health slide as we focus on studies, tasks and assignments and you have a very good recipe for depression.
Here are the top warning signs of depression:
- Lack of interest and general withdrawl
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Sleeping too much or sleeping too little
- Anxiety and irritability
- Feelings of guilt and hopelessness
- Poor memory and inability to make decisions
- Appetite problems and digestive problems
- Neglecting your appearance (letting yourself go)
- Loss of sexual desire
Yes, we're all stressed out and find ourselves a bit blue on occassion. But, if any of these symptoms actually prevents you from enjoying your everyday life or if your close friends and family have started making comments about severe changes in your behavior, its probably time to talk with someone about it.
Until next time!
Lynn Byrne
Save to Del.icio.us
