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A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event; it is most often the result of multiple overlapping
causes. Environment, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition can all be factors in whether someone develops a
mental health condition. Traumatic life events or stressful experiences may make some people more
susceptible, and brain biochemistry may play a role as well. Mental health conditions show up in many ways.
Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders are some of the most common.

Anxiety Disorders
We all experience the occasional feeling of anxiety, which is quite normal. New situations, meeting new
people, driving in traffic, and public speaking are just a few of the common activities that can cause people to
feel anxious. It is important to seek help when these feelings become overwhelming, cause fear, or keep us
from doing everyday activities. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United
States, and while there are many types of anxiety disorders, they all have one thing in common: “persistent,
23
excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” Physically, your heart may race, and you may
experience shortness of breath, nausea, or intense fatigue. Talk with a mental health care professional if you
experience a level of anxiety that keeps you from your regular daily activities.

22 Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health
23 NAMI, https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/Anxiety-Disorders-FS.pdf

Access for free at openstax.org

11.4 • Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are not uncommon among students. Stress or anxiety may create a desire for some students
to overeat, while others may develop a concern about body shape or weight and significantly reduce their food
intake.
Anorexia nervosa is a potentially fatal illness marked by self-starvation. People with anorexia usually have an
irrational concern about body shape or weight and eat a very restricted diet. They may also feel the need to
exercise all the time, even when they are sick or exhausted.
Binge eating is frequent consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. People who binge
regularly (more than once a week) and feel a lack of control over their eating may have binge eating disorder
(BED). It is important to seek treatment if you suspect there is an issue with binge eating. Treatment can
address any underlying psychological issues that will help control urges to binge eat.
Bulimia involves cycles of excessive eating followed by eliminating food through vomiting or with laxatives.
Eating disorders can lead to many complications, some of them very serious, like heart conditions and kidney
failure. It is crucial for anyone with an eating disorder to stabilize their health, then continuing medical care
and counseling to reach full recovery. Eating disorders can be treated successfully with medical care,
psychotherapy, counseling, or coaching.
If you think you might have an eating disorder, visit a doctor or your campus health center. The National Eating
Disorders Association (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org) also offers information, help, and support.

Depression
Most people feel sad at times. This is a normal reaction to loss or struggles we face. Being sad is not the same
as having depression. When intense sadness lasts for several days or even weeks and you are no longer
interested in activities you once enjoyed, it may be depression. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional
and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
Depression does not have a single cause. It can follow a life crisis or physical illness, but it can also occur
spontaneously. Several factors including trauma, a significant life change, brain injury, and drug and alcohol
misuse may contribute to depression. Depression is a treatable medical condition. Talk with a mental health
care professional if you experience an ongoing level of sadness that keeps you from your regular daily
activities.

Suicidal Behavior
Suicide is when people direct violence at themselves with the intent to end their lives, and they die because of
24
their actions.
People who contemplate suicide often experience a deep feeling of hopelessness. They often don’t feel they
can cope with challenging life events and are not able to see solutions to problems. In the moment, they are
unable to see that the challenges are really only temporary. Most survivors of suicide attempts go on to live
wonderful, full lives.
Help is available all day, every day, for anyone who might be in crisis. By offering immediate counseling to
everyone that may need it, crisis centers provide invaluable support at the most critical times. If you or
someone you know has warning signs of suicide, get help as soon as possible. Family and friends are often the
first to recognize any warning signs and can help take the first step in finding treatment.
If someone is telling you that they are going to kill themselves, do not leave them alone. The National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Crisis Text Line is also
available 24/7 by texting HOME to 741741, 85258, or 686868. There are also near-term plans to implement a
24 NIMH, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq/index.shtml

353

354

11 • Engaging in a Healthy Lifestyle

988 suicide hotline number that will work similarly to 911.
Depression is a key risk factor for suicide, along with substance abuse, chronic debilitating pain, mental health
disorders, and a family history of suicide.
These are some of the warning signs to help you determine if a friend or loved one is at risk for suicide,
especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
talking about being a burden to others
increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

A mental health condition isn’t the result of one event; it is most often the result of multiple overlapping

causes. Environment, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition can all be factors in whether someone develops a

mental health condition. Traumatic life events or stressful experiences may make some people more

susceptible, and brain biochemistry may play a role as well. Mental health conditions show up in many ways.

Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders are some of the most common.

Anxiety Disorders

We all experience the occasional feeling of anxiety, which is quite normal. New situations, meeting new

people, driving in traffic, and public speaking are just a few of the common activities that can cause people to

feel anxious. It is important to seek help when these feelings become overwhelming, cause fear, or keep us

from doing everyday activities. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United

States, and while there are many types of anxiety disorders, they all have one thing in common: “persistent,

23

excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” Physically, your heart may race, and you may

experience shortness of breath, nausea, or intense fatigue. Talk with a mental health care professional if you

experience a level of anxiety that keeps you from your regular daily activities.

22 Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health

23 NAMI, https://www.nami.org/NAMI/media/NAMI-Media/Images/FactSheets/Anxiety-Disorders-FS.pdf

Access for free at openstax.org

11.4 • Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not uncommon among students. Stress or anxiety may create a desire for some students

to overeat, while others may develop a concern about body shape or weight and significantly reduce their food

intake.

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially fatal illness marked by self-starvation. People with anorexia usually have an

irrational concern about body shape or weight and eat a very restricted diet. They may also feel the need to

exercise all the time, even when they are sick or exhausted.

Binge eating is frequent consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. People who binge

regularly (more than once a week) and feel a lack of control over their eating may have binge eating disorder

(BED). It is important to seek treatment if you suspect there is an issue with binge eating. Treatment can

address any underlying psychological issues that will help control urges to binge eat.

Bulimia involves cycles of excessive eating followed by eliminating food through vomiting or with laxatives.

Eating disorders can lead to many complications, some of them very serious, like heart conditions and kidney

failure. It is crucial for anyone with an eating disorder to stabilize their health, then continuing medical care

and counseling to reach full recovery. Eating disorders can be treated successfully with medical care,

psychotherapy, counseling, or coaching.

If you think you might have an eating disorder, visit a doctor or your campus health center. The National Eating

Disorders Association (https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org) also offers information, help, and support.

Depression

Most people feel sad at times. This is a normal reaction to loss or struggles we face. Being sad is not the same

as having depression. When intense sadness lasts for several days or even weeks and you are no longer

interested in activities you once enjoyed, it may be depression. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional

and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

Depression does not have a single cause. It can follow a life crisis or physical illness, but it can also occur

spontaneously. Several factors including trauma, a significant life change, brain injury, and drug and alcohol

misuse may contribute to depression. Depression is a treatable medical condition. Talk with a mental health

care professional if you experience an ongoing level of sadness that keeps you from your regular daily

activities.

Suicidal Behavior

Suicide is when people direct violence at themselves with the intent to end their lives, and they die because of

24

their actions.

People who contemplate suicide often experience a deep feeling of hopelessness. They often don’t feel they

can cope with challenging life events and are not able to see solutions to problems. In the moment, they are

unable to see that the challenges are really only temporary. Most survivors of suicide attempts go on to live

wonderful, full lives.

Help is available all day, every day, for anyone who might be in crisis. By offering immediate counseling to

everyone that may need it, crisis centers provide invaluable support at the most critical times. If you or

someone you know has warning signs of suicide, get help as soon as possible. Family and friends are often the

first to recognize any warning signs and can help take the first step in finding treatment.

If someone is telling you that they are going to kill themselves, do not leave them alone. The National Suicide

Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A Crisis Text Line is also

available 24/7 by texting HOME to 741741, 85258, or 686868. There are also near-term plans to implement a

24 NIMH, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-faq/index.shtml

353

354

11 • Engaging in a Healthy Lifestyle

988 suicide hotline number that will work similarly to 911.

Depression is a key risk factor for suicide, along with substance abuse, chronic debilitating pain, mental health

disorders, and a family history of suicide.

These are some of the warning signs to help you determine if a friend or loved one is at risk for suicide,

especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event:

•

talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves

looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

talking about being a burden to others

increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly