Adjusting to college is difficult in varying degrees for everyone. Some people catch on to their niche very soon and for some it will take until sophomore year. That's okay. It is not okay however to not be aware of your destructive behaviors making an appearance in your college career. This is not an article telling everyone to stop vaping, drinking, or doing whatever your vice is. This is an article telling everyone to be aware of their mental health, despite what we do to push it away.
I was scrolling through Instagram the other day and saw a post from a meme page that made a joke about the fact that one in five college students develops a mental illness. I'll be honest, I did laugh, but then I got a little concerned. One in five, really? It made me reflect on my own experiences and mental wellness.
It's so easy to go about your day and your life without taking notice of new thoughts or behaviors. Years ago, I exhibited behaviors that correlated with an eating disorder. I nicknamed my mental plague Anna. I didn't even realize that it was back until I saw that Instagram post. It made me wonder how many other college students knew Anna.
How many people experience the freshman -15?
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 10-20% of women and 4-10% of men in college develop some kind of eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, EDNOS) and the rates are increasing. It's something people need to be aware of. If you can't stop thinking about how many calories you need to avoid, what meals you think you need to skip, or eating too much beyond your control, it may be a good idea to seek help from someone.
Personally, my blood sugar cannot handle my behaviors, so I'm constantly in trouble with my mom and other people who know me very well for not maintaining it. If you're struggling with something like this, it's okay to reach out to someone who isn't and have them help you and hound you about it.
Let's say you aren't experiencing anything like that though. In college, have you felt so bogged down that you didn't want to get out of bed? Have you felt like you're drowning in courses that you think you should understand better? Have you thought that college just is not for you and that you should pack it up and move back home?
You are NOT alone.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder. A staggering number of people have an anxiety disorder or experience an episode of anxiety by the age of twenty-two. Don't drop out of college just yet. Try reaching out to different people, join a club, or study outside of your dorm.
Find ways to talk with people about the things you're experiencing. Talking about it can do wonders for making your soul happier. If you find someone who experiences the same thing, encourage one another throughout the day. Find someone who will say to you what you need to hear and that will let you return the favor.
If you can't find someone like that, you still shouldn't drop out just yet. Mississippi State has great mental health services. Talk to an adult about what your experiencing or try to go to a counseling session.
Remember that you aren't alone and you don't have to carry the weight of your world by yourself.