Signs of Student Distress
Problems in Academic Performance
- Dramatic drop in grades
- Incapacitating test anxiety
- Problems with concentration, memory, attention
- Sporadic class attendance or protracted absences
- Dissatisfaction with major or with college itself
- Confusion about career goals
Behaviors
- Withdrawal from established pattern of social interaction
- Marked seclusion and unwillingness to communicate
- Disturbance of sleep (decrease or increase), chronic fatigue
- Outbursts of crying or anger
- Increased activity levels (e.g., incessant talking, irritability, physical restlessness, disruptive behavior)
- Extreme loss of appetite or excessive eating or excessive preoccupation with weight
- Marked lack of response to normally upsetting events
- Persistent lying, stealing or other antisocial acts
- Extreme suspiciousness or irrational feeling of persecution
- Nonsensical conversation, indications of being markedly out of touch with reality
Traumatic Changes in Personal Relationships
- Death or serious illness of family member or friend
- Family problems
- Difficulties in intimate relationships (e.g., marital problems, breakup with boy/girlfriend)
- Roommate problems
Substance Abuse
- Excessive consumption of alcohol, drugs
- Pattern of reliance on alcohol, drugs
- Signs of intoxication or being "hung over"
- Detached, non-caring and/or manipulative
References to Suicide
- Statements of feeling hopelessness and helplessness (e.g., that life is not worth living, that problems can never be solved)
- Any reference to personal consideration of suicide, threat, or attempt, should be judged serious. If the reference includes how, when, where, or other specifics of a suicide plan, immediately contact Campus Police at 781-736-3333 and the Psychological Counseling Center at 781-736-3730.