Severe depression usually results in feelings of being the worst person in the world. In general, clinical depression has a higher incidence in adults than in adolescents, and Dr. According to Dr. Drebit, the type most often experienced by the University population is an adjustment disorder with a depressed mood. This disorder usually results from an incident in one's past which would predispose them to a stronger reaction to incidences of grief or bereavement than would normally be expected. Major depression is another category seen in the University population.
Major depression is a clinical depression and usually requires treatment with antidepressants.
Mature students on campus are more prone to experiencing chronic depression, which is a low level depression usually resulting from low self esteem caused by the return to University and the necessity of dealing with many issues which weren't dealt with earlier. This type of depression is normally treated best with psychotherapy. Not surprisingly, then, this disorder is most often seen in northern and southern climates and is usually caused by exposure to less light or, occasionally, colder temperatures. Most people effected by SAD respond well to light therapy, which requires spending a designated number of hours per day in front of a light box. Some common symptoms of SAD include an increased appetite, and an increased amount of time spent sleeping, which are opposite to symptoms usually resulting from other types of depression.