Disability Resources & Services

​Mental Emotional Disorders                     

Mood Disorders   

      Depression

• What is it?
• Loss of energy and interest
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Sleep disturbance and/or agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Diminished ability to think, concentrate and/or focus
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• What does it look like?

• Being late to class, especially mornings

• Problems focusing or concentrating
• Difficulties memorizing course information
• Forgetting assignments
• Loss of desire to study or attend class
• May appear disinterested or lethargic
• May express suicidal thoughts 

      Bi-Polar

• What is it?
• Mixed mood swings of manic and depression lasting at least one week
• Manic
• Inflated self-esteem
• Decreased need for sleep
• More talkative, racing thoughts
• Easily distracted
• Excessive actions, high risk activities
• Depressive
• Loss of energy and interest
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Sleep disturbance and/or agitation
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Diminished ability to think, concentrate and/or focus
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• What does it look like?
• Overly optimistic, registering for too many classes
• Taking on too much responsibility
• Making poor financial decisions, unable to pay for school expenses
• Missing classes and appointments, erratic attendance
• Blaming behavior on medication, i.e. "it takes my creativity away"

Also see Academic Tips for mental emotional disorders