Spring Break
URI Counseling Center holds depression, anxiety screening
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 10/17/08 Section: News
Symptoms of clinical depression include changes in appetite and sleep patterns, a lack of motivation and crying frequently, Nichols said.
While depression is separate from anxiety, the two are closely related, Nichols said.
"They often overlap, it's very frequent that someone who is anxious is also depressed and someone who is depressed is also anxious," she said.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry, trembling, a high pulse rate and muscle tension, among other symptoms, according to a Counseling Center flier.
The event was staffed by clinicians from the center and by graduate students.
Alexis Lamb, a graduate student of clinical psychology said this was her second year doing the screening.
Lamb said the program helps to make counseling more accessible to the student population.
"I think calling up to make a therapy appointment if you're concerned about yourself can be the hardest part, and this screening is sort of a smaller step," Lamb said. "We get people who are a little bit concerned but aren't so sure they have enough problems so that they should go to the Counseling Center, so I think we're able to connect with more people through this."
The center offers counseling for a variety of issues, or may refer students to the Family Therapy Clinic or Psychological Consultation Center, both graduate training programs on campus. Students may also be referred to Health Services for medication.
The Counseling Center will be sponsoring an alcohol screening - conducted the same way as the depression screening - Oct. 28.
While depression is separate from anxiety, the two are closely related, Nichols said.
"They often overlap, it's very frequent that someone who is anxious is also depressed and someone who is depressed is also anxious," she said.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive worry, trembling, a high pulse rate and muscle tension, among other symptoms, according to a Counseling Center flier.
The event was staffed by clinicians from the center and by graduate students.
Alexis Lamb, a graduate student of clinical psychology said this was her second year doing the screening.
Lamb said the program helps to make counseling more accessible to the student population.
"I think calling up to make a therapy appointment if you're concerned about yourself can be the hardest part, and this screening is sort of a smaller step," Lamb said. "We get people who are a little bit concerned but aren't so sure they have enough problems so that they should go to the Counseling Center, so I think we're able to connect with more people through this."
The center offers counseling for a variety of issues, or may refer students to the Family Therapy Clinic or Psychological Consultation Center, both graduate training programs on campus. Students may also be referred to Health Services for medication.
The Counseling Center will be sponsoring an alcohol screening - conducted the same way as the depression screening - Oct. 28.
