By Diana silva/reporter
Anxiety and depression are common among college students, counselor Michael Eason explained at his seminar Feb. 9 on SE Campus.
Eason aimed to help students realize what depression feels like, what symptoms they can have without realizing it and what they can do about it.
“I work as a counselor to help, to advise students on how to handle depression and too much work,” he said.
Anxiety includes having panic attacks, and they can show up in many different ways.
“Walking in the hallways when they’re crowded can make you have panic attacks,” he said. “Shaking and tears are also characteristics of a panic attack.”
Eason said an average of one SE Campus person has committed suicide each year for the past few years.
Eason talked about why he started being a counselor.
“I love helping and communicating with people,” he said. “I like to give something that could be relevant to students. Students have to have courage and go talk to counselors to seek help.”
SE student Sabrina Collins attended for extra credit but said she chose to go because she has family members who have experienced depression.
“I know they have depression because they have no motivation at all, and they’re always lazy,” she said. “I found that coming to this seminar, I’ll find a way to understand it better.”
SE student Daniele Teixeira said she attended for her psychology class and because she knows people with depression.
After the seminar, Teixeira said she has experienced some of the symptoms Eason recalled.
“I really have lack of sleep and mood swings,” she said. “To get the stress away, I do yoga.”
Overall, she said this seminar was helpful.
Collins said she stresses before a test.
“I also get irritated because of lack of sleep, and I can’t take naps,” she said.
To get the stress out, Collins stays busy by playing soccer. She knows now she’ll be more understanding with people and encourage them.
Students experiencing depression and/or suicidal thoughts can visit a counselor on any TCC campus for help, Eason said.
