Study: Cold symptoms in young adults could indicate depression

By Staff Writer

Young adults who report cold symptoms may actually suffer from depression, according to a new study.

The findings, which appear in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, revealed that about one of every four or five college students who visit a school health center for cold or sore throat is suffering from depression. However, most facilities do not diagnose the mental disorder because they do not screen for depression.

Researchers from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine surveyed approximately 1,600 students at college campuses, including the University of Washington and the University of Wisconsin. It is the first study to gauge depression rates among a large population of college students who are coming to health facilities for routine care.

The study's authors added that young adults who are depressed should be treated, which may include counseling and medication. If untreated, these individuals are more likely to develop substance abuse problems.

Adolescents who suffer from depression may benefit from troubled teen programs that offer counseling and support they may need.