Student Anxiety in College
DEALING WITH STUDENT ANXIETY IN COLLEGE
What Every College Student Needs to Know
1. Student Anxiety by the Numbers
College is a time of major changes, so it’s no wonder it is also a time when many students experience anxiety. When you know what you’re dealing with, know how to cope and can find the right help, you can manage anxiety.
A survey that asked college counselors about anxiety issues found that anxiety is the top issue for college students (41.6 %). About 25% of college students were taking medications to treat mental health issues.
Another study done by Penn State found that more than 60% of college students report anxiety as one of their major health concerns. College students struggling with anxiety cuts across all sexes and races. One study found that the rates of anxiety disorders reported by US college students doubled from 2008 to 2016. During this time, the rates for anxiety disorders rose by 65% for transgender students, 67% for male students, and 92% for female students.
College Students Treated for Anxiety by Race
- Asian or Pacific Islander 10%
- African American 14%
- Hispanic or Latino 15%
- White 23%
Students of color were half as likely to report a diagnosis or treatment of a student anxiety disorders compared to white college students.
2. Anxiety vs. Stress
Stress and anxiety may seem the same at first glance. While both can be touched off by the same things and signal the body to be on alert, anxiety has the additional element of fear and sometimes a feeling of doom.
Another difference is that anxiety is not the same as stress, but rather a reaction to stress. When anxiety happens frequently, it can become a problem because it interferes with college life.
3. Symptoms – To continue reading this article please use these links.
4. Things to Avoid
5. How to Fight Anxiety
6. Signs You May Need Help
7. Anxiety and Substance Abuse
8. Finding Help
9. Additional Anxiety Support
10. Online Resources