Warning Signs of Possible Problems

It's normal for all of us to act a little unusual at times. But certain behaviors, when they occur frequently, suggest more deep-seated psychological concerns. The following are some common signs that a person may be facing some difficulty and could benefit from counseling or from your concerned questions:

Mood: Extreme sadness, anxiety, anger, mood swings.

Physical signs: Deteriorating grooming habits or physical state; pronounced weight change; signs of substance abuse, such as dilated pupils, unsteady gait, slurred words, or the smell of liquor on breath.

Performance: Concentration difficulties; unexplained lateness or absences; deteriorating work habits or academic performance.

Social behavior: Extreme or inappropriate withdrawal or dependency.

Speech: Irrational or unusually rapid or slow speech; frequent references to problems, or to feeling guilty or worthless; references to death or suicide.

Note: You don't have to pry to detect such difficulties. People often signal their distress quite clearly.

Take all these signs seriously. Don't disregard what you have observed.

If possible, find a time to talk privately with the person. Allow sufficient time for the discussion.

Point out the specific signs you observed. Say you're concerned, and ask for a response.

Discourage quick dismissals ("I'm fine - it's nothing.") Let the person know you really want to know what's wrong.

Listen to the explanation. Be open-minded about what you hear.

Decide whether the problem is an "ordinary" problem or an emergency. An ordinary problem is anything that troubles the student but falls short of an emergency - the student's basic safety is not endangered.

In an emergency, call the Counseling Service at 503-768-7160. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. when classes are in session. Evenings, weekends, and holidays, call Campus Safety at 503-768-7777 or a hospital emergency room. In a sexual assault or rape-related emergency, call the anonymous Sexual Assault Response Advocate pager at 503-202-3119.

Inform the person about the Counseling Service located on campus: "Did you know we have professional counselors on campus to help with problems like yours? The Counseling Service is located in Templeton Student Center. You can call or stop by to schedule an appointment."

If necessary, address the person's fears about counseling. It may be useful to keep the following points in mind: going to a counselor does not mean you are weak or crazy. It's actually a sign of good health to recognize and get help for a problem. All sessions at the Counseling Service are confidential. The counselors are trained professionals. They've worked with hundreds of students.