3 Types of College Breakdowns
Ever had a moment where you forgot to hand in a paper (or forget that you actually did hand in the paper)? Totally been there. What about considering a second degree in accounting because you’ve become so skilled at adding up your college credits in your head, it keeps you up at night?
Yup, been there too. And don’t even get me started on the draining back-and-forth debate on which grad school to accept.
Wondering which types of college breakdown are the most common? Read on for the 3 main types of college breakdowns.
Depression
Most people have heard of depression before, but have you ever heard of the term, “college depression”? Although “college depression” is not a separate diagnosis from clinical depression, it describes depression that starts in college because of the life changes that transitioning into adulthood bring.
Like clinical depression, common signs include mood swings, loss of interest in hobbies, and persistent feelings of worthlessness, sadness, or guilt (none of which are constructive to your university journey!).
What to do about it: Talk to your doctor, as they can refer you to counselling and help rule out health-related causes.
If college-related issues are contributing to your depression, consider also taking active steps towards positive change (i.e. getting tutoring to help you stay on top of your schoolwork or spending more time talking on the phone with friends).
Anxiety
Between deadlines, career choices, and that class that was much tougher than you expected, University is a hotbed for anxiety-ridden situations. But if you find yourself feeling debilitatingly anxious every day, you might have chronic anxiety.
What to do about it: Like with depression, visiting the doctor can help identify any underlying causes of anxiety and they can refer you to counselling. As part of your self-care, cognitive behavioural techniques, such as reframing, may help. If what’s getting you down is the huge pile of homework on your desk, try simply getting started on it. Anxiety is based on fear, so taking action confronts that fear head-on!
Burnout
Burnout is so common these days, it’s now classified as a diagnosable disorder. If you’ve been balancing classes, family and friendships, maybe a part-time job, and all the other “life” stuff we all need to handle (sleep, commuting, eating, etc.).
You’re already at high risk for burnout, but dealing with a traumatic or high-stress event (like the recent COVID-19 outbreak) can also leave you feeling drained. Symptoms may include chronic exhaustion, disinterest in school or work, and lack of concentration.
What to do about it: Talking to a counsellor or other medical or mental health professional can help you to share the emotional load. Having gone through a burnout, my biggest tip is to practice saying “no” to non-essential tasks, at least for a while, and making time for things that bring you joy, like reading a book for fun (even if it’s a slow process).
University is a time with lots of big changes and opportunities for a breakdown. Making healthy choices for yourself now means you can enjoy the full adventure that post-secondary life brings!
Struggling to balance life as a student? Check out this video about the 5 best apps to help you stay organized!
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