Recognizing Mental Health Issues in College Students. Jeni Shannon, Ph.D. & Mary Stall, Psy.D. Regis University

Transcription

1 Recognizing Mental Health Issues in College Students Jeni Shannon, Ph.D. & Mary Stall, Psy.D. Regis University

2 Presenting Concerns at University Counseling Centers Anxiety 46.2% Depression 39.3% Relationship Problems 35.8% Suicidal Ideation 17.9% Alcohol Abuse 9.9% Sexual Assault 7.4% Based on survey of 380 University Counseling Center Directors (9/1/12 8/31/13)

3 Anxiety Feeling Stressed Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety Anxiety Disorder What it looks like: Excessive worry Difficulty concentrating Irritability Restlessness Muscle tension Sleep problems

4 Depression Homesick/Sad Adjustment D/O w/ Depressed Mood Depression What it looks like: Changes in Appetite & Sleep Loss of Interest/Motivation Sad, Tearful Social Withdrawal Low Energy Thoughts of Death or Suicide

5 Suicide The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 1,350 college students die by suicide annually. This is second only to accidents as a cause of death in this population. Risk Factors: Depression, irritability, feeling alienated, hopeless, or helpless Recent loss Withdrawal from people and/or activities History of prior attempt(s) Substance use Access to means

6 Trauma Students can be dealing with past traumatic events (e.g. childhood abuse) or with more recent traumatic events (e.g. sexual assault, car accident) What to look for: Distress in Particular Situations (triggers) Nightmares & Flashbacks Startle Response Hypervigilence Anxiety Withdrawal

7 Disordered Eating Healthy Weight Healthy Eating/Exercise Positive Body Image Weight/Body Shape Preoccupation Dieting Excessive Exercising Food Restriction Fasting Bingeing Muscle Dysmorphia Distorted Body Image Orthorexia Steroid Use Laxative/Diet Pill Abuse Anorexia Bulimia Binge Eating Disorder

8 Diagnosable Disorders Anorexia Nervosa Low body weight (<85% IBW) Intense fear of weight gain Distorted body image Preoccupation with body shape or weight Bulimia Nervosa Recurrent binge-eating Compensatory behavior such as vomiting, use of laxatives, excessive exercise Preoccupation with body shape or weight Binge-Eating Disorder Recurrent binge-eating without compensatory behavior Lack of control and marked distress

9 What To Look For Emphasis on body image Preoccupation and concern about weight or shape Unexplained weight loss/gain Extremes in eating: over eating or under eating Avoiding eating with others, secretive eating Food rules & rituals Excessive exercise Can t judge on appearance

10 Substance Abuse Alcohol Binge drinking Illicit Drugs Marijuana Spice (Synthetic Marijuana) Ecstasy (MDMA) Cocaine Methamphetamine Heroin Ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol Prescription Drugs

11 Binge Drinking The NIAAA National Advisory Council approved the following definition: A binge is a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 or above. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming 5 or more drinks (male), or 4 or more drinks (female), in about 2 hours.

12 Substance Use Continuum No Use Use Misuse Abuse Dependence Addiction

13 Problematic Patterns Hiding use or lying about use Use substances to manage emotions Isolation from others Development of tolerance Blackouts Withdrawal symptoms after stopping use Interference with school, work, relationships, etc.

14 Athletes Athletes can be even less likely to self report potential mental health problems than non athletes (Glick, 2012). Additional Risk Factors: Schedule Demands Pressure/Expectations Concussion Injury Stigma

15 Athlete Considerations Depression Injury Overtraining Syndrome Anxiety Demands & Pressure Substance Abuse: Student Athletes have higher rates of substance abuse than non athletes Drug testing ED Considerations: Additional Risk Factors Female Athlete Triad

16 Being Ready to Step UP! Noticing Intervening Boundaries Guiding People to Appropriate Resources