Mental Health In College

Guide for College Students Mental Health

Going to college is a dream for millions of Americans, yet those with psychiatric disabilities may question if it's even a possibility. While mental illness may add extra considerations to the process of attending college, there are many options available to turn this goal into a reality. Current college students utilize campus mental health services more than any generation before them, showing that students are taking charge of their mental health and that colleges have services in place to help. In this guide, learn more about common mental illnesses, depression, support systems, and how to request accommodations.

The State of Mental Illness on College Campuses

Mental illness is a serious issue on today's college campuses, and the statistics below give readers a sense just how much these students depend on comprehensive support mechanisms at their schools.

Mental Health Issues Affecting College Students

Only in recent decades has mental illness lost some of its taboo status. For centuries the topic was swept under the rug, but as society has evolved, it's become part of the national conversation. Half a century ago, college may have seemed impossible to students with psychiatric disabilities, but today's campuses are rapidly working to improve and expand mental health services and create environments that are welcoming to students coping with mental illness. In addition to having on-campus psychiatrists and counselors, nonprofit organizations are also starting to develop campus chapters. Below are some of the common mental illnesses seen on college campuses.

Addiction and Substance Use Disorders

Like other forms of addiction, overdependence on drugs and other substances is due to a complex brain disease that causes individuals to continue overusing substances even though this behavior causes harm to themselves and to those around them. Statistics show that approximately 80 percent of college students have abused alcohol, while the abuse of drugs like Xanax and Valium increased by 450 percent between 1993 and 2005. The causes of addiction are multi-faceted and intertwined, and include genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and the use of drugs that are known to be highly addictive.

Substance abuse in college can quickly derail a student's future if it goes unchecked, but it doesn't have to be that way. Learn more by reviewing our guide about Substance Abuse in College.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is a common medical condition characterized by differences in brain development and activity that can affect how a person behaves. A study in the academic journal Neurotherapeutics found that approximately 25 percent of all college students with disabilities have been diagnosed with ADHD – either as a child or once they entered college. Researchers are still trying to understand the underlying causes of ADHD, but the latest studies suggest that there could be a genetic connection. Studies have also shown that boys are three times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

Anxiety Disorders

There are multiple types of anxiety disorders, and while some are less severe, they can all affect a student's ability to thrive in college. A 2013 study found that anxiety is the most common problem among college students who seek mental health help, with approximately 42 percent presenting with concerns in this area. Research on causes is still ongoing, but most scientists believe anxiety disorders develop from a combination of factors such as brain chemistry, genetics, life events and personality.

Bipolar Disorder

Individuals who have bipolar disorder (formerly called manic-depressive disorder) experience dramatic shifts in their mood, energy levels, and ability to even face the outside world. There are several different types of bipolar disorders; some are relatively mild while others require hospital care. Exact numbers on how many college students are affected by bipolar disorder are unavailable, but the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance states that the median onset age for this disease is 25, meaning that many cases will develop during the college years. Causes of bipolar disorder are still being researched, but scientists believe it's due to a combination of genetics as well as the physical operations that are specific to an individual's brain.

Eating Disorders

Although uninformed individuals may think eating disorders are a lifestyle choice, the reality is that they are documented psychiatric illnesses that are extremely dangerous and can prove fatal if left untreated. Eating disorders result from distorted perceptions of body image coupled with obsessive behavior involving food. The Multi-Service Eating Disorders Association found that 15 percent of women aged 17 to 24 have some type of eating disorder, while 20 percent of college students said they have or had an eating disorder. Many factors can contribute to the development of an eating disorder; some of these include irregular hormones, genetics, body dysmorphia, peer pressure, stress, and trauma.

Depression

More formally known as major depressive disorder, depression is a medical illness that causes feelings of sadness, loneliness, and the inability to go about life. Data from the 2013 National College Health Assessment found that approximately one-third of all college students had trouble functioning due to depression within the previous 12 months, and many also had increased anxiety due to the depression. Like other mental illnesses, researchers don't precisely understand what causes depression, but they believe that biological differences, brain chemistry, hormones, and inherited traits all play a role.

Suicide

Individuals diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder can experience intense feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and sadness – to the extent of thinking about suicide. Controlling the symptoms of a mood disorder can be a long, daunting process. To learn more about the many resources available on university campuses, read our guide to Suicide Prevention in College.

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Self-Injury

Unlike a suicide attempt, self-injury typically isn't used as a means of ending one's life but rather as a way of causing self-harm. Common forms of self-injury include cutting, burning, or otherwise mutilating the surface of the body. A 2006 study by Cornell and Princeton universities found that 20 percent of female and 14 percent of male college students said that they have self-harmed themselves in one or more ways, although only seven percent sought medical help. According to information from Mayo Clinic, the causes leading to self-injury include an inability to deal with psychological pain in healthy ways, or having trouble regulating and expressing emotions.

Sleeping Issues and Disorders

Sleep issues involve any type of disorder that prevents an individual from falling asleep or makes it impossible for them to stay asleep for a reasonable length of time. A study of almost 2,000 college students during the 2007-08 academic year concluded that more than a quarter were at risk for a sleep disorder. There are many different types of sleep disorders, so nailing down causes is easier said than done, but some of the most common include medical issues, psychiatric disorders, and environmental problems.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia only affects one percent of the population, but higher numbers are seen in college students, as this is the age range when the disease typically first presents itself. The majority of men who have schizophrenia see onset during their late teens to early twenties, while it emerges in women a bit later, when they are in their late twenties and early thirties. Schizophrenia is a serious, incurable psychiatric disease that causes individuals to experience hallucinations, delusions, cognitive issues, lack of motivation, and trouble producing clear thoughts. Some of the causes researchers have identified include genetics, brain chemistry, and environment.

Accommodations & Academic Adjustments for Students with Mental Illness

Tens of thousands of students on college campuses receive accommodations each academic year for a variety of reasons. It's a relatively common practice, so students shouldn't feel uncomfortable asking for help, or that they're putting a burden on academic or administrative staff. In fact, institutions that receive state and federal funding are required to provide reasonable accommodations and adjustments for students with mental illnesses and disabilities as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Keep reading to learn about various types of accommodations, and what your rights are.

Knowing Your Rights

Any secondary or postsecondary school that receives public funding must provide reasonable accommodations. While Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 deals with elementary, middle, and high schools, the ADA and IDEA acts address college students and adults.

Interested in learning more about general rights for college students with disabilities? Check out this guide that addresses common questions and concerns.

The Realities of Mental Illness in College

Psychiatric disabilities and mental illness can interfere with learning, especially when students don't have a plan in place to manage their condition. While no two individuals with mental illness are the same, it helps to understand the realities for these students, and how mental illnesses can impact their college success. Aside from managing the other pressures of college, those with psychiatric disabilities often contend with a whole host of additional frustrations, distractions, and debilitating symptoms. Some of the more common are outlined in this section.

Types of Accommodations

A number of accommodations are available specifically to help students with psychiatric disabilities navigate their course load and achieve success. Schools like the University of Washington provide in-depth information on what's available, and your school may have something similar available through the Office of Disability Services. Some services include:

• Preferred seating
  This type of accommodation allows students to sit where they will be most comfortable, such as near an exit, making it easier for them to leave class if necessary.
• Additional breaks
  Students who struggle to focus or experience extreme drowsiness can benefit from being allowed to come and go during the class session.
• Separate exam rooms
  Students who suffer from test anxiety, panic attacks, or other disabilities that make exam day particularly stressful can be given a separate, quiet room.
• Written exams and presentations
  Rather than requiring a student with anxiety or panic disorder to give an oral exam or presentation, professors can accommodate their disability by letting them submit the assignment in writing.
• Use of tape recorder
  Students with ADHD, narcolepsy, or other disabilities that make it difficult to stay focused can benefit from recording the lecture and then listening to it later.
• Deadline extensions
  Students dealing with depression, insomnia, high anxiety, or many other forms of psychiatric disabilities may not be able to turn in an assignment by the due date. Professors can give them extra time to complete the assignment after they're feeling better.
• Completing work at home
  If coming to class seems too overwhelming, in some cases professors may email materials to students, so they can review the topics and complete assignments without having to attend the lecture.

How to Request Academic Accommodations

The process for requesting accommodations is likely to be slightly different at each college, but generally includes the following steps:

• Identify who to speak to
  The majority of colleges have offices devoted to disability services, but students can also check with the campus health center or with a college mental health counselor.
• Fill out an application
  This can usually be done online and submitted to the office or department that handles such requests.
• Provide documentation
  Before an accommodation request can be honored, students need to submit the paperwork that formally documents their psychiatric disability. This is usually supplied by your doctor or a psychiatrist/psychologist/counselor.
• Schedule an appointment
  Once the paperwork has been approved, students need to meet with a representative from the office to discuss the type of accommodations that may be helpful. In general, accommodations which are deemed “reasonable” are approved quickly. If an accommodation isn't approved, students can discuss the issue further to explore alternatives or appeal the decision.

Finding Mental Health Support On- and Off-Campus

Managing mental illness while in college can feel like a never-ending balancing act, but students don't have to do it on their own. A wide range of support groups and resources are available both on campus and in their local communities to help them cope.

Online Learning for Students with Mental Illness and Disabilities

Online learning has grown exponentially in the previous decade, and hundreds of colleges and universities in America now offer both individual courses and full degree programs that can be completed without ever visiting campus. Because some students with psychiatric disabilities may be unable or uncomfortable attending traditional, on-campus programs, distance learning can be a great alternative.

To learn more about online degree programs, check out this guide.

Amanda Hill: Overcoming My Psychiatric Disability & Conquering College

Amanda resides in Nashville, Tenn., and has worked as a proposal writer for a healthcare information technology company for the last seven years. She attended Belmont University from 2006 to 2012, completing her master's degree in English Writing. Through her a career as a writer and her personal experiences, she's developed a passion for building relationships and human connections.

When did your panic attacks start and how did they impact your studies?

I was about eight years old. One day it just hit me, and things didn't feel "normal" anymore. It's been off and on ever since. During my junior year of college, my anxiety got really bad. It started to affect every part of my life. This is when it developed from anxiety to panic disorder, which meant I had panic attacks over the course of the day, one wave after another, until my body exhausted itself enough to feel relaxed but also drained. That semester I had to drop out of a few classes to really regain a lot of myself.

What triggers your anxiety?

My anxiety is often triggered by times of extreme change, like moving or family issues, where my environment feels different. I'm also a late reactor, meaning I can keep it together during the actual shift and then as I settle into a routine with those changes, the growing pains affect me, and it takes me longer to adjust.

The thing about anxiety is while it may start with an actual fear or worry, once you have one panic attack it's a ripple effect. You start worrying about worrying. Maybe you started worrying about not being okay, and then the anxiety became the thing you were worried about – a self-fulfilling prophecy.

What resources did you use to manage college while dealing with your illness?

I found a therapist who gave me tools that really worked for my way of thinking, which was to break down the anxiety in steps and phases to isolate the physical feelings of an actual panic attack. I also made the decision to go on a low dose of Lexapro. Also, even though I chose therapy and medicine, the best long-term solution for me has been exercising. Diverting my energy into something more productive made my panic attacks far less severe.

What were your personal challenges and saving graces?

One of my biggest challenges was trying to bottle everything up and tie it in a perfect little bow so no one saw what was going on. For a time, it worked to pretend nothing was happening. I would be sitting in a living room with people, having an anxiety attack, and no one could tell. But my anxiety was never triggered from social interactions. I've always been extroverted, and often my anxiety attacks were triggered from being completely by myself.

Talking it out with people around me was and is my saving grace. I, like many, was ashamed of how I felt, which is a huge part of the stigma associated with mental illness. I was so wrong. Opening up to people, whether it was my mother or my therapist, changed the course of my college experience and saved me from falling even deeper into a hole. I came out of that experience knowing how to best manage my mental health for the rest of my life.

What tips do you have for other students attending college with a psychiatric disability?

Speak up and realize that pretty much every single person deals with a mental health issue in their lifetime. Our lives depend on connecting to each other emotionally, and our mental health is an integral part of that. Talking to a professor about your struggles can help. Chances are they will get down in the trenches with you and help you figure it out.

Also, take a step back if you need to. I never thought I would need to take a few steps back on my education in order to manage my mental health, but it was completely necessary. I will never regret decreasing my workload during that time yet persevering to continue my education. We all hit a point where we need to lay out our issues and pick up the pieces, and that is completely okay.