A large contributor to depression and anxiety among those with autism is the apparent lack of acceptance that is essential for the human psyche to have. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines autism as “a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges." This is the definition of a very complex disability that affects approximately 1 in 59 children, according to the CDC. What isn’t said is that “more than 70% of autistic youth have mental conditions, including depression and anxiety,” says Carla Mazefsky, an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. There … [Read more...] about Opinion: Teaching acceptance to better the mental health of autistic youth
depression
Webinar hosted to break stigma surrounding mental health
CSUSB’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) held their first webinar to take part in National Mental Health Awareness month. The webinar, titled “You're Not Alone: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health for College Students” was an hour-long discussion tackling mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, that college students face. Mental health is more prominent in students, with more than 40% of students facing depression and 66% of students experiencing overwhelming anxiety. Depression and anxiety are some of the most prominent mental health issues that students experience over the course of their college career. From not knowing exactly where their future … [Read more...] about Webinar hosted to break stigma surrounding mental health
Mental Health Awareness Month: Coping with Depression
Feeling worthless, loss of interest and thoughts of death can be just a few indicators of depression in students. When it comes to diagnosing depression essential tool doctors may use is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), there is a certain number of symptoms that have to be met. CSUSB's clinical psychologist, Rachel Keener, shared how depression differs from sadness. "Sadness is a normal emotion, it's an appropriate response when sad things happen in the world. Depression feels like there is no joy in your life. People who are depressed tend to avoid things that used to give them joy because it's no longer giving them that joy," shared … [Read more...] about Mental Health Awareness Month: Coping with Depression
Mental Health Awareness Month: Anxiety Disorders in College Students
Impending doom, rapid breathing, and fear of judgment. While college is known to be a time to discover oneself, it can also be the commencement of disorders. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the country. 75 percent experience their first symptom by the age of 22 and about 41 percent of college students are affected according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Psychology professor Michael Lewin shared the effects of transitioning from adolescence into adulthood. “Young adulthood is a common age of onset for many anxiety disorders. This has been hypothesized because of psychological demands or stressors of the transition,” said Lewin. There is … [Read more...] about Mental Health Awareness Month: Anxiety Disorders in College Students
Emotional Support Dogs Different Than Service Dogs?
Emotional support dogs are not allowed on campus, but service dogs are, and even though many students may think they are the same thing, they are not. A service dog is trained to perform a function, or do a job, that his or her owner can’t perform on their own due to a physical, intellectual or emotional disability. These dogs may, of course, provide emotional support and comfort, but they are specifically trained to provide assistance beyond soothing benefits. Service dogs receive more legal protections than emotional support dogs and are allowed in just about any and every public space, whereas emotional support dogs do not enjoy the same widespread access. An emotion support … [Read more...] about Emotional Support Dogs Different Than Service Dogs?
Movies to watch to cope with anxiety and depression
People that deal with either anxiety or depression, deal with it in different ways. But one coping mechanism is finding comfort in movies that can help out relieve the ache. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY Disney’s Inside Out displays the importance of having joy and sadness in life. Not only is it important to express happiness, but so is sadness. The film interprets that showing feelings are valid even when the worst happens, there can be unpredictable good outcomes from it. Not only will the movie uplift you, it'll make you smile and realize that each emotion brings something valuable even when the mind seems to be … [Read more...] about Movies to watch to cope with anxiety and depression
Stress affecting students physically and mentally
By Yera Nanan |Staff Writer| A common complaint that students are having to deal with is tiredness and fatigue every day. It almost feels that being a college student can be miserable, stress is more than likely the culprit. Quite a few prolific research studies done on stress affecting college students have lead up to some negative outcomes. "One out of every five students in the United States feels stressed out most of the time," stated Mental Health professional Kirsten Schuder. "One in ten students even go on to have suicidal thoughts. This is not that much of a surprise considering that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students," according to … [Read more...] about Stress affecting students physically and mentally
CC Briefs
By Rachel Rundengan |Opinions Editor| May 19, 2016 A magical cure for depression The psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms could help treat people with severe depression, according to The Guardian. The chemical known as psilocybin can turn down parts of the brain that are overactive in severely depressive patients. To determine if psilocybin could be used as a treatment to help patients, scientists were given £550,000 ($803,330) by the Medical Research Council to begin a three-year project to test the drug on people with depression, according to The Guardian. May 20, 2016 Home Depot in the hot seat A Home Depot worker was banned from wearing an “America was never … [Read more...] about CC Briefs
It is okay to be depressed
By Shirleena Baggett |Staff Writer| Books, exams, debts and depression—the perks of college life. Last fall, my life was moving along without me; I was a wreck, drained in every aspect, and knew I needed to get help. Forty-four percent of college students experience symptoms of depression, according to an article on healthline.com "Depression in College Students." Attending school is a transitional period for us all. Whether it is moving away from our family for the first time, to enduring the stress that comes along with getting decent grades, to of course the rise and fall of relationships and friendships. It is a lot—and there is no real way to be "ready" for it all. The truth is, … [Read more...] about It is okay to be depressed
My Rise Above the Blue Funk
By Sandy Rodriguez |Staff Writer| This is the story of how I saved myself. In 2014, life was on a downward spiral after the tough moments of life simply got to me—I reached some of the lowest moments of my life. During the school year, I visited the CSUSB Psychological Counseling Center several times. I was diagnosed with depression, which is not uncommon among college students. About 30 percent of college students report feeling depressed, which disrupt the students’ ability to function in school. The week before finals in the Spring 2015, I decided to finally get on mood stabilizers, a common treatment for those diagnosed with depression. They made me drowsy, so I stopped … [Read more...] about My Rise Above the Blue Funk