Pressure from studies, family, and society is leading to an increase in the rates of students suffering from mental disorders and behavioral issues. One significant concern is the rise of depression among students.
Unusual Symptoms
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| Pressure from studies, family, and society is leading to an increase in the rates of students suffering from mental disorders |
According to statistics from the Central Psychiatric Hospital, in 2005, nearly 5,000 individuals with “abnormal” symptoms sought consultation, with 30% being students. Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Central Children’s Hospital in several schools revealed that up to 20% of students were anxious and exhibited symptoms of mental disorders, commonly known as depression.
Nguyen Thi N., a previously good student, began to struggle academically starting in the 9th grade. She frequently avoided others, became withdrawn, and worried about unspecified issues, refusing to share her reasons. This situation persisted and worsened over time. Her parents took her to the Psychiatric Hospital, where they discovered that she had a mild mental disorder, primarily due to being followed closely by a young man on her way to school, compounded by the pressure of university entrance exams.
Tran Van T., a student at the University of Commerce, expressed feelings of exhaustion, frustration, and indifference towards everything because he was overly pampered by his father financially. After losing his mother at a young age, his father remarried and compensated by allowing him to spend money freely.
In some cases, the causes of these disorders stem not from external factors but from within the individuals themselves. For instance, Nguyen Thi L., an 8th-grade student, entered puberty without understanding sexual health and lacked guidance from adults. This resulted in fear, anxiety, lack of concentration, and low self-confidence in both studies and life. The three cases illustrated above were diagnosed and consulted at the Central Psychiatric Hospital.
What is the Illness and How is it Treated?
Depression is a common mental disorder characterized by a wide range of symptoms, including insomnia, fatigue, and lethargy. It significantly affects students’ ability to learn. Feelings of sadness or irritation cause students to be persistently gloomy and irritable over trivial matters. Sometimes, they may feel worthless, leading them to consider giving up or even harbor thoughts of self-harm or conflict with others. This can result in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, muscle pain, excessive sweating, poor appetite, and weight loss.
Most individuals seek medical help only when their condition has progressed to a chronic stage, making treatment more complicated and prolonged. Therefore, parents should not underestimate these symptoms. Depression in children may not arise from direct causes but can explode from suppressed feelings from childhood, or it may be related to the discomfort of rapid physical development during puberty.
According to mental health and neurology experts, depression or mental disorders are caused by disruptions in brain function, resulting in abnormal changes in thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and attitudes. Treating depression through encouragement, support, and conversation can be effective for those with mild symptoms.
It is essential for individuals suffering from depression to possess willpower, self-care awareness, and engage in physical activity. Physicians may prescribe antidepressants in combination with psychological therapy and counseling. Depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. When properly diagnosed and treated, over 80% of individuals with depression recover and return to normal life; however, untreated depression can lead to severe consequences, including death.
