Is your college student simply homesick... or is it depression?

Article courtesy of Suzanne Mims from the examiner.com

Homesickness is not just for freshman. In fact, if you ask parents who've had a few children go through college, they will tell you that homesickness occurs randomly throughout the four years of college. What should you, as a parent, do or not do to combat your child's homesickness? Google searches turn up multiple articles of advice, mostly contradictory, about what you should do. Some will say "do not bring your child home" while others will urge you to book the next available flight. What is perhaps most important is that you stay tuned in....because sometimes it isn't a simple case of homesickness.

Is it depression?

The Centers for Disease Control Family Health website notes: "Depression is very different from the occasional blues. Depression has physical and emotional symptoms and cannot be wished away; people with depression can't just 'pull themselves together.' There are different types of depressive disorders, each with its own symptoms and treatment options."

Your college student is barraged with stressors on a daily basis: classes, exams, papers, roommates, teammates, managing an active social life --and for many --the new challenge of totally caring for himself, a poor diet and terrible sleep habits. Anxiety -- a normal reaction to stress -- actually helps your child deal with a tense situation, study harder for an exam, or keep focused on an important speech. Mental Health America cautions that your child may be experiencing something more than just stress and anxiety if he or she exhibits: click here to read on.