Stress and Anxiety

Stress is the body’s response to any demand or pressure. These demands are called stressors. For example, a lion chasing you is a stressor. A pounding heartbeat and sweat are the physical manifestations of stress. Stress is a biological and normal response to a stressor; it actually helps us combat the stressor by making us more focused or providing adrenaline. It can help you deal with a tense situation, study harder for an exam, or keep focused on an important project. However, when stressors in your life are constant, it can take a toll on your mental and physical health. 

Anxiety is a feeling of fear or dread that can arise during a stressful situation. Sometimes it can be hard to pinpoint where your anxiety is coming from. However, if you feel as though anxiety is a constant presence in your life, know that you can speak with a CAPS counselor on campus. 

Feeling sad is very different from depression. Sadness is a reaction to something in your life such as a breakup, a bad grade, or the loss of a loved one. When you’re feeling sad, you might cry or talk to loved ones about how you’re feeling, but you start to feel better after a few days or weeks. Sometimes people describe their sadness as depression, but it is important to know that clinical depression is different from feeling sad. 

Clinical depression is diagnosed by a mental health care professional and has symptoms that last much longer than sadness. It has physical and emotional symptoms and cannot be wished away; people with depression can’t just “pull themselves together.” Depression can make it challenging to follow through on responsibilities or engage in the fun activities you love. The good news is that depression can be treated, and people can recover.

Signs of depression

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone else, it may be time to reach out for support:

• Feeling hopeless or numb
• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed
• Sleep changes (too much or too little)
• Fatigue or low energy
• Irritability or mood swings
• Appetite changes (eating more or less)
• Isolation (withdrawing from friends or family)
• Thoughts about self-harm or engaging in self-harm 
• Thoughts of suicidality 

What you can do

• You’re not alone. Many college students struggle with mental health. Support is available—on and off campus.
• Move your body. A walk, stretch, dance break, or workout can help shift your mood.
• Build connections. Join a student org, reach out to a roommate, or FaceTime someone from home.
• Name your stressors. Once you identify what’s contributing to your stress, you can take small, manageable steps toward relief.
• Talk to someone. A trusted peer, RA, mentor, counselor, or doctor can listen and help.
• Seek professional support. UCSC’s health center is here for you. If treatment is recommended, stick with it and attend follow-ups. It’s okay to speak up if it’s not helping after a few weeks.