CAPS helps with the winter woes
Harrison Ford battles it. Chopin fought it. In Princess Diana’s case, it was broadcast all over the world.
“There’s a stigma around mental illness,” said USU psychologist Chris Chapman. “They feel like failures.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in four adults in the United States may suffer a mental disorder in a given year. This figure translates into more than 57 million people, many of whom never get help.
Chapman said CAPS, USU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, aims not only to help those in crisis but also works to fix issues before they become bigger problems. Although students can make an appointment for any reason, most people come in because of anxiety and depression.
“People come in and are not sure how to cope,” Chapman said. “Sometimes they come in once, sometimes they come in five times. When winter comes we have a spike, it can be depressing.”
The main reason Chapman said depression spikes in winter months is lack of vitamin D.
“In January and February we get a big uptick, when students don’t have exposure to the sun,” he said.
One treatment, he said, is a lamp that mimics sunlight.
“It’s cold and dark and you’re going to be less active,” Chapman said. “The holidays are over, it’s back to the grind stone.”
Staff psychologist Tom Berry has another theory about the number of students who are depressed in winter months.
“Depression correlates closely with stress,” he said. “At some point, if you keep adding stress almost anybody will show symptoms of depression.”
Stress levels tend to be higher before finals, he said, which often coincide with the start of winter months.
Chapman said winter depression, often referred to as seasonal affective disorder, has almost all of the same symptoms and is treated much like regular depression. However, when the sun comes out most cases of seasonal depression disappear. Such is not the case with other types of depression.
“The most obvious (symptoms) are sad or depressing moods. It’s persistent, it doesn’t go away,” Chapman said. “Depression hangs out. Basically, the things you used to enjoy give you no pleasure. People come in and they don’t care about school or friends.”
Other symptoms Chapman sees often include changes in appetite, changes in sleep pattern, bad insomnia and extreme sense of guilt.
Once a year, CAPS offers a free depression screening. Open to the public, visitors come watch a video and fill out a short questionnaire. This, and events like it, attract those who struggle with depression but also those who just want to know more.
“Every once in a while, I feel disappointed in myself, but I don’t feel like life is horrible,” said Tedi Jorgensen, an undeclared freshman. Tedi attended the depression screening held by CAPS Jan. 26 in the TSC Ballroom because she was interested in psychology and how the brain works.
Stephanie Cottam, a freshman in human movement science, works at Midwest Stress Center. She thought the screening might help her to relate to the people she is working with.
“It’s interesting to me to talk to people in these situations,” she said. “I can help people and help myself.”
Because depression is not a one-treatment-cures-all disorder, CAPS takes situations on a case by case basis.
“There’s a wide range of what people may classify as depression,” Berry said. “Different people express depression differently. There are different flavors of depression even though the severity might be the same.”
A wide range of depression requires a wide range of psychologists. According to their website, CAPS employs seven psychologists, three interns and three graduate assistants.
“Everybody does it differently,” Chapman said. “It’s a place where you can unburden yourself. On top of that we teach coping skills, ways to relax and reduce stress. We give feedback and change patterns. We’re supportive and objective.”
While individual therapy is the solution for some people, others are more comfortable in a group setting. CAPS offers small group therapy with four or five people in a group. Another option, Chapman said, are classes like The Joy of Depression. These require no paperwork, and can be taken individually or in a series.
“These classes get anywhere from three or four to 10-15 people,” Chapman said. “We’re actively looking to improve attendance. We have different groups, like building relationships, coping, self awareness, mindfulness, men’s and women’s groups, and healthy sexuality.”
When depression hits, the biggest resources are sometimes friends and family, Chapman said.
“Be willing to listen, ask questions,” he said. “Reach out. Work to open the lines of communications. Be open about it.”
– allee.evensen@aggiemail.usu.edu