10 Student Mental Health Problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

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Young woman sitting on the kitchen floor with her head in her hand, suffering from depression, loneliness, and mental health issues

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10 Student Mental Health Problems – When to Worry and When to See a Doctor

Here are 10 common student mental health problems, including their definitions, symptoms, when to worry, and when to see a doctor.

1. Stress and Anxiety

What it is: Overwhelming feelings of worry or pressure that can impact daily life. Students might experience anxiety about exams, social situations, or deadlines.
Symptoms: Restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, rapid heartbeat, and trouble sleeping.
When to worry: When stress and anxiety start interfering with daily activities or sleep patterns.
When to see a doctor: If symptoms persist for more than four weeks or significantly impact functioning.

Note. ‘Mild’ stress is OK and nomral, and part of university life. It doesn’t need action.

2. Depression

What it is: A mood disorder that affects feelings, thoughts, and behaviour.
Symptoms: Persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep, and feelings of worthlessness. When severe, it can cause significant weight loss.
When to worry: If feelings of sadness last longer than four weeks or if there are thoughts of self-harm.
When to see a doctor: Immediately if there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide; otherwise, if symptoms persist.

Note. Depression almost always gets better with time (the best healer). If it is not getting better, please consider antidepressant tablets such as SSRIs (such as Sertraline and Citalopram). These are powerful drugs and highly effective. They take at least 3-4 weeks to start working.

3. Sleep Deprivation

What it is: Insufficient sleep that can impair physical and mental health. It is common in students who ‘burn the candle at both ends’ (party alot!).
Symptoms: Fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and increased susceptibility to illness.
When to worry: If consistently getting less than 7 hours of sleep per night and experiencing related symptoms.
When to see a doctor: If sleep disturbances persist despite good sleep hygiene practices.

Note. Going out 3x a week is enough. You need rest periods for your body to recover as well.

4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What it is: A neurodevelopmental disorder affecting attention and impulse control.
Symptoms: Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
When to worry: If symptoms significantly impact daily functioning or relationships.
When to see a doctor: If symptoms persist and interfere with academic or social life.

5. Eating Disorders

What it is: Mental health conditions involving unhealthy eating habits.
Symptoms: Extreme weight loss or gain, preoccupation with food, and distorted body image.
When to worry: If eating habits become unhealthy or if there are significant changes in weight or mood.
When to see a doctor: If symptoms persist or if there are concerns about physical or mental health.

6. Burnout

What it is: Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress.
Symptoms: Feeling drained, detached, or ineffective in studies or social life, reduced performance, or lack of motivation.
When to worry: When students feel consistently overwhelmed and unable to meet demands.
When to see a doctor: If burnout persists despite rest and self-care.

7. Social Anxiety

What it is: Social anxiety is an excessive fear of social situations due to worries about judgment or embarrassment.
Symptoms: Avoiding social interactions, fear of being judged, physical symptoms like blushing or trembling in social situations.
When to worry: If social interactions become increasingly difficult or avoided altogether.
When to see a doctor: If social anxiety impacts daily life or relationships.

8. Substance Abuse

What it is: Misuse of substances leading to dependence or health issues. This includes alcohol and recreational drugs.
Symptoms: Increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and neglect of responsibilities.
When to worry: If substance use impacts relationships, academic performance, or health.
When to see a doctor: If there’s concern about substance use or if help is needed to manage use.

9. Schizophrenia

What it is: A chronic (long-term) mental health disorder characterised by disruption in thought processes, perception, and emotional responsiveness
Symptoms:
- Thought disturbance – skipping from one idea to another, with disorganised thinking and speech,
- Paranoia – i.e. believing other people or the world is out to get you
- Delusions – i.e. believing in things that are not true
- Hallucinations – i.e. hearing or seeing things that do not exist
- Negative symptoms such as apathy and social withdrawal
When to Worry: You should worry if you or a loved one is experiencing persistent and severe symptoms that interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being
When to See a Doctor: You should see a doctor immediately if you or a loved one is experiencing severe symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, or if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others.

This is a chronic mental health disease that causes a range of varied psychological symptoms. It is a form of psychosis, which means its is a major mental illness. It quite often comes on when people are in their 20s – so can come on at university.

Misconceptions

The idea that people with schizophrenia have a split or dual personality is totally untrue. It would be more accurate to say that people with schizophrenia have a disturbed mind with typical symptoms above.

Another misconception is that people who have the condition are violent. This is also rarely true. A person with schizophrenia (or any form of psychosis) is far more likely to be the victim of violent crime than the instigator.

10. Suicidal Thoughts

What it is: Suicidal thoughts are feelings of wanting to end one’s life, often linked to severe depression or stress.
Symptoms: Talking about self-harm, feeling hopeless, or expressing a desire to die.
When to worry: If there are any mentions of self-harm or suicidal ideation.
When to see a doctor: Immediately. Suicidal thoughts require urgent attention from a doctor. Take the person to A&E now.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these issues, it’s essential to seek help from a doctor.