Silver Hill doctor says college students experiencing burnout, anxiety around spring break
Silver Hill Hospital says 30% of college students recently reported feeling symptoms of anxiety.
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As many colleges across the country are celebrating spring break, doctors say students are reporting signs of burnout, anxiety and depression.
Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan reports 30% of students are having symptoms of anxiety that negatively impact their academics.
Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz-Schwartz, service chief of Silver Hill’s Adolescent Inpatient Program, said warning signs include excessive sleep, withdrawal or feelings of hopelessness.
She said doctors are also seeing symptoms such as exhaustion and headaches.
"I think that usually the burnout crosses into anxiety when the demands that the kids have in school, and in other settings, are too much that they can handle,” said Ortiz-Schwartz. “It shows with a longer duration of symptoms, a deeper sadness, deeper detachment, a lot more anxiety and more difficulty functioning. If it reaches that level, that's when we really merit medical and psychiatric, or mental, health support."
She said it's also important for parents to allow for open, understanding conversations with their kids.
For more on mental health resources and services in Connecticut, click here.
