Graduate depression is real. As real as the midlife crisis that hits when a person realizes that they have lived half their life without checking off many of the “to-dos” on their wish list. Although not formally recognized as a medical condition, young people just out of college are caught up in things beyond their control. While they are eager to go, they suddenly realize that they do not have wings to fly. They feel a sense of despondency when they realize that their wings are not yet developed for flight.

One of the reasons that young people experience overwhelming stress and depression in their twenties is because there is a wide gulf between college and later life, and in many cases college life does not prepare young people for the transition to college. adult life. The process can be scary when young people realize that they would feel good about themselves. Friends from college move to different parts of the country, and parents’ expectations of later life can be too much for young people.

As Juli Fraga, a San Francisco psychologist, explains, “If a student’s college experience is overwhelmingly positive, college offers a kind of cocoon: a community of friends, professors, and mentors who are mostly available to offer support or advice. Graduating symbolizes a leap into ‘adult’ life, which is a great transition. ” Students are expected to take on many of the responsibilities of adults, and may be wary of assuming them. After experiencing freedom in college and being in the company of like-minded people, the sudden push into the real world can be a jolt for many.

Although graduate-level depression is common, it is rarely discussed with the same length and breadth as a midlife crisis. According to Sheryl Ziegler, a Colorado-based professional counselor and psychologist, “Young adulthood is not a well-studied population at all. From a research perspective, it is difficult to classify them.”

Symptoms

The condition could be characterized by prolonged sadness, functional problems, persistent negativity, lack of confidence and substance abuse, some other visible symptoms are:

Inability to get out of bed: Most millennials are addicted to social media, which in turn can be quite depressing. For example, the posts of a successful college friend could lead a young person into the cycle of depression, as they feel that while the rest of the world has it all figured out, they still don’t have a clue. Instead of getting out of bed and looking for work, they go back into hiding.

Feeling lonely and isolated: One can feel lonely once the golden period is over. College offers a tight-knit family of roommates, frat sisters and frat brothers, and close friends, but the network shrinks as everyone begins the new journey. The most beloved events and local interest groups are also left behind. Young people may also resent the fact that their parents are more demanding than ever and constantly monitoring their whereabouts. Feeling lonely and isolated, they may turn to drugs.

Fear of unemployment: Until the moment when a young person settles into a job, the future seems uncertain. Although things are arranged on time, the likelihood of having to do household chores on your own and living apart from parents, who provide financial and moral support, could be depressing for many.

Get help ASAP

The inhibition of going out into the world to start living is not an easy task at all. One can find endless experiences frustrating. But staying isolated or inactive is not the answer to life’s miseries. Seeking the help of family and friends, and a counselor who can help you cope with stress and cope with life, is critical. Depression is a treatable disorder and before things get out of hand, you must get the right support.