Mild Distress
These behaviors, although not disruptive to others, may indicate that something is wrong and that help may be needed:

  • Serious grade problems, or a change from consistently good grades to inexplicably poor grades
  • Excessive absences, especially if the student has previously demonstrated good, consistent class attendance
  • Unusual or markedly changed patterns of interaction, including: social isolation, avoidance of class participation, excessive anxiety when called upon, dominating discussions, excessive agitation or hyperactivity, speaking extremely rapidly, falling asleep in class
  • Significant difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or answering simple questions
  • Depressed, lethargic mood
  • Disruption in regular habits, such as sleeping too much or too little; substantial increases or decreases in food intake; physical complaints such as severe headaches, stomach trouble, or chronic fatigue
  • Unusual physical appearance including: swollen, red eyes; a marked change in personal dress or hygiene; sweating (when the room is not hot); a significant increase or decrease in weight

Moderate Distress
These behaviors may indicate significant emotional distress, and perhaps also a reluctance or inability to acknowledge a need for more personal help:

  • Repeated requests for special consideration, such as deadline extensions, especially if the student appears highly uncomfortable or emotional about disclosing the circumstances prompting the request
  • New or regularly occurring behavior that pushes the limits of decorum, and which interferes with the effective management of your class, residence hall, or work area
  • Unusual or exaggerated emotional responses to situations
  • Expressed hostility toward you, friends, parents, classmates, or others

Severe Distress
These behaviors are obviously inappropriate and/or indicate a crisis which needs immediate attention:

  • Highly disruptive behavior that is hostile, aggressive, or violent
  • Inability to communicate clearly (garbled, slurred speech; unconnected or disjointed thoughts)
  • Loss of contact with reality (auditory or visual hallucinations, beliefs or actions that are greatly at odds with reality or probability)
  • Disorientation to time, place, or people
  • Overtly suicidal or homicidal thoughts 

Information For:

current students
faculty and staff		 parents
alumni		 high school students
admitted students