ShipLibrary Blog

Ask Etter: Anxiety & Depression

Everyone may feel anxious or depressed from time to time, but when those feelings are persistent or prevent you from participating in normal activities, you may need some additional help.

Symptoms of depression include:

• feeling empty or hopeless
• angry outbursts
• irritability
• loss of interest in normal activities, hobbies, schoolwork
• sleeping too much or insomnia
• fatigue
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• increase in food craving and gaining weight
• difficulty concentrating
• physical complaints with no cause
• having thoughts of death or self-harm.

If you are thinking about harming yourself or others seek help immediately.  You may call 911 or

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). 

In Cumberland County (Shippensburg) call 866-350-HELP (866-350-4357)

Symptoms of anxiety include:

• excessive worry
• apprehension, fearfulness or nervousness
• physical tension
• restlessness
• a sense of panic
• rapid breathing
• sweating
• tremors
• insomnia
• difficulty concentrating

Certain medical conditions, past life experience, and genetic traits can all play a role in anxiety and depression.

Both anxiety and depression can be treated with therapy and/or medication. 

You can contact the University Counseling Center for more assistance at (717) 477-1481.

*Thank you to Etter Health Center for providing the content for this blog post.