25 Signs that Counseling Might Be Helpful to You
This list contains 25 of the most common concerns voiced by students who come to the CSDC for help. Sometimes, a student is struggling with a number of these problems that, taken together, have made life difficult. At other times, a student may have only one of these concerns, but the intensity and/or persistence of the problem has made it hard to function effectively.
As you read through these 25 signs, keep in mind that, at times, all of us will have experiences like those described in the items. Normally, these problems are relatively temporary, and we recover fairly quickly. But if you see yourself in a number of the items, or if even one problem is significant enough to really disrupt your life, it might be a good idea to call or drop by the CSDC.
- Difficulty adjusting to life at JMU
- Anxiety related to academic work (e.g., test-taking or public-speaking anxiety)
- A dramatic fall-off in academic performance
- Relationship breakup that has really disrupted your life
- Difficulty concentrating (e.g., when trying to study) and making decisions
- Feeling tired, fatigued, like everything takes a lot of effort
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Recent change in your sleeping patterns (e.g., difficulty sleeping or sleeping all the time)
- Recent change in your eating patterns (e.g., loss of appetite or eating more than usual)
- Feeling guilty or inadequate
- Problems in your relationships with your roommate/friends
- Wanting to avoid most people, even those you like
- Wishing you were dead, having suicidal thoughts
- Having panic attacks or experiencing intense anxiety for no apparent reason
- Unexplained crying
- Bursts of anger or unusual irritability
- Use of alcohol or drugs is causing personal and/or academic problems for you
- Lack of financial resources/budgeting problems
- Problems with weight control (e.g., overeating, bulimia, anorexia, excessive exercising)
- Having experienced sexual assault or harassment
- Sexual abuse as a child or adolescent
- Concern about sexuality issues, such as; sexual performance, questions regarding sexual orientation
- Problems in your relationship with your parent(s)
- Lack of assertiveness
- Difficulty coping with the death of someone important
