Back to School Blues: Symptoms of Depression in College Students

Thank you very much for your keen insight into college mental health. Both of your articles, "Back To School Blues" and Depression in the Dorms: What You Need to Know About Mental Health and College was not only extremely informative, but also touched a personal side of me. My first year at Keene State College, Keene, NH (1972) started as any other student's, with great expectations, enthusiasm and energy. But, a few months into that fall semester, something bizarre befell me. On my way to class, I suddenly started to shake, and I felt this dark cloud descend upon me, making me feel worthless, and so terribly alone. For the next 3-4 weeks, an unexplainable sadness overtook me. My roomate and dorm buddies noticed a big change had occurred, but they were at a loss to explain it. My dorm R.A. was more than sympathetic about this change, for, at one point, he called my parents to travel out to talk to me. My parents simply thought I was "going through a phase", that I was experiencing some separation anxiety, and that it would go away in time. Yes, this terrible emotional pain DID go away after a month, or so. I never forgot that first depression. And since I became reluctant to talk with my parents or any "armchair psychologist" at college about my so called "phase", I plodded ahead. What was frightening was how quickly "out of the blue" this thing had grabbed me. I now realize that if I had proper recognition and treatment of this new situation, perhaps I wouldn't wind up with the 34-year history of bipolar disorder that followed. Today, at age 52, I'm a pharmacist forced out of work due to a debilitating depression six years ago. But not all is lost... I am a member of NAMI-NH, DBSA, and the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. A friend and I started a successful bipolar & depression support group, and we are currently forming a 501c3 organization to provide a travelling, seminar-based education for people with mental illness. Everything is ready to go, we are just waiting for the IRS for the go signal. Who knew I would wind up doing what I do today? And, it all started with that first depression 34 years ago on a college campus that had no clue of what happened, least of all, me. Your articles were wonderful, and IF I get to lecture on any college campus about depression and bipolar disorder, a good part of the inspiration will have come from you! Sincerely yours, Robert Elder BSPharm, R.Ph., CPNP