Hello,
I am nineteen years old and am currently nearing the end of my first year at university. I attended a boarding school before university and had a very close-knit group of friends. Since being at university I have found it difficult to get out of bed in the mornings, despite being given a course of anti-depressants. I am terrified of binge-eating and needing to get rid of it all afterwards. I have never become so aware of my weight in all my life. Granted, I did put on a few pounds in freshers and in the first term due to christmas festivities and excessive consumption of alcohol but I just can't seem to shift it. I hate going out in the evenings because I compare myself to other girls, who can wear short skirts and strappy tops without feeling like an elephant. I have never felt so lonely in my entire life and have often had suicidal thoughts. I wonder, if it is like this in my first year of university, is this what its going to be like for the rest of my life? If anyone could shed some light on this I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Depression among students is very well documented. From fresher stress to the pressure of finals, money worries, exhaustion, loneliness and coursework, the road is riddled with pitfalls. But leaving education doesn't mean leaving problems behind. Every year graduate depression strikes, and seems completely unexpected.

"It didn't occur to me that this was going to happen to me," says Melanie, who graduated with a first-class degree in psychology two years ago. "I think I went a bit crazy for a while . . . I didn't handle it very well. I felt adrift, with no direction after being so focused."

While one in four students suffers depression during their university years, there are no official figures for the post-graduation period. Mike Burton, of the Sussex University Counselling service, admits that this group "slips through the system". They become indivisible from any other adult facing major life transitions - even counsellors who work with students seem to be unaware of the problem. It is also quite possible that some graduates don't realise they are affected, as symptoms are not always as obvious as feeling miserable all the time. Feeling tired, restless or agitated, losing interest in life and becoming unable to enjoy anything, finding it hard to make decisions, having difficulty sleeping, avoiding people and losing self-confidence are some of depression's guises.

Some practical, logistical questions: Will you be living in a dorm next year? What are your plans for the summer? It might make a huge difference in your ability to adapt to your second year.

Aside from that, I wonder if the places you go in the evenings, and the things you do, are too superficial and shallow for you. Going out to look good and be seen was never my idea of fun even at 19. How about you? Is there anything you can do to seek out new friends who are more like you next year?

Yes it is common but you have several issues that need to be addressed, most of which have to do with self esteem and image. Perhaps different friends, less drinking and more work on study would help make a change.