Chapter 2 - Mericella Case

 Mariella, a 19-year-old college freshman, has been repeatedly asking herself, “What’s going on?” and “What should I do?” Something was not right. Mariella was outgoing, bright, and cheery in high school but was now fatigued, blue, and pessimistic in college. She was starting her second semester and thought the tough college adjustment period her friends and family talked about should be over by now. Were her feelings of fatigue and discontent just a temporary “funk,” or was something seriously wrong? Mariella’s fatigue and discontent began early in her First semester and worsened toward finals week. She enrolled in Five courses and was soon overwhelmed by extensive reading assignments, large classes, and fast-approaching deadlines. She struggled to Finish her work, often seemed isolated from others, and felt unimportant in the huge academic setting. Mariella believed no one cared whether she was in class, and she longed for days in high school when she interacted with a close-knit group of teachers and friends. Her college professors seemed to treat her like a number and not a student, and her classmates always seemed to be rushing about with little time to talk. Mariella was an “A” student in high school but was now struggling to get Cs in her college classes. She had great trouble concentrating on what she read, which led to low test scores. Mariella did talk to her friends and family members back home about her troubles, but no one truly understood what she was going through. Instead, they thought Mariella was experiencing simple, normal homesickness that would soon end. Mariella began spending more time alone as her first semester approached mid-November. She often slept, watched television, listened to music, and went online. She no longer found much enjoyment doing things that used to appeal to her, such as going to the movies and playing the guitar. Mariella declined invitations from others to go out, and her roommate noticed that Mariella seemed sad and lonely. Unfortunately, no one took the time to ask Mariella if something serious might be wrong. Mariella also lost significant weight her first semester. When she went home for Thanksgiving, her family members were surprised at how she looked. Mariella had noticed no major change except for occasional hunger, but in fact she had lost 10 pounds from her 120-pound frame. Unfortunately, she received flattering comments on how she looked, so the larger problem of her sad mood went undetected. Her concentration and eating problems continued when she returned to school to finish her first semester, and Mariella struggled to finish her final examinations and receive passing grades. Mariella was happy to return home for the winter break and hoped her feelings of fatigue and discontent were simply related to school. Unfortunately, she remained sad, did not regain lost weight from the previous semester, and continued to sleep much of the day. She dreaded returning to school but felt pressure from others to do so. Mariella became quite despondent when she returned to school in mid-January. She knew something would have to change to endure this second semester, but she felt confused and unsure. Once again, she was asking, 

 “What’s going on?” and “What should I do?” What Do You Think?

fatigue

weight loss

unable to concentrate on her studies.

deviate the daily norm did not go out, did not do any activities.

sleep too much

 1. Why do you think Mariella feels the way she does?

 2. What should Mariella do? What would you do if in her situation?

 3. Which aspects of Mariella’s story concern you most? 

4. Do you know people who have had similar experiences? What did they do? 

5. What should Mariella’s friends and family do to help?

Family and friend should ask her to seek psychiatric evaluation and counselling.