an excerpt from the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
DSMV Entry: Senioritis Mood Disorder
Diagnostic Features
The defining aspect of Senioritis is the complete change of mood and motivation a student has towards school, from dedication to complete apathy. Those afflicted exhibit a very dismissive attitude and show indifference to most, if not everything, school related. This disorder, like any other, has a wide range of exhibited symptoms and behaviors. It can range from studying a bit less for your classes to completely ignoring any homework responsibilities. Associated with Senioritis is also a very lackadaisical approach to academics, appearances, and relationships. There may also be a drop of respect towards authority figures, like parents, teachers, substitute teachers etc., and a disregard of their authority.
Associated Disorders
Some associated disorders include, but are not limited to, anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders, substance-related disorders, dysphoria, and conduct disorder. All of these are commonly found alongside Senioritis or are caused by Senioritis.
Specific culture, age and gender features
It is associated with and found in Western culture, specifically in the U.S. and Canada. Recent studies show that senioritis may be more prevalent in areas where education is easily accessible and is the norm of the society. This sudden lethargic behavior is, however, found wherever there are secondary schools. So far, Senioritis has been seen to affect males and females equally and it is most prevalent in common senior year ages such as 17- 18 years old.
Duration
A person has the symptoms for 2-3 weeks before it is clinically diagnosed. One week of these symptoms is usually due to temporary physical or environmental conditions.
Specific Symptoms
There is a long range of symptoms that accompany Senioritis; however there are several ones that can be found in most cases. These include, but are not limited to:
- Apathy
- Disregard for the consequences
- Disregard for authority figures such as teachers, counselors, etc.
- Anxiety or Panic attacks
- Degrading social relationships
- Lack of motivation
- Mood swings
- Increased participation in risky activities
- Dismissive attitude
Prevalence
Studies vary slightly in their results, but it has been found that, generally, some 60 to 75 percent of seniors in each school have or have had experienced senioritis during their senior year! The rate between males and females seem to be about roughly equal.
Course
The first signs of Senioritis begin to appear right around or right after the completion of college applications. However, another probably trigger may be the start of the second semester of senior year which lines up with the college application deadlines. Symptoms may begin to lighten up after the first report card, but it generally comes back in full force a couple of weeks before graduation. Although there are rare cases of Senioritis disappearing on its own, without any treatment Senioritis only disappears until after the student graduates from high school. It may reoccur at the end of senior year of college.
Subtypes
Some subtypes of Senioritis include,
- Eightgraderitis: Similar symptoms found in students in the 8th grade.
- Senior Ditcheritis: Seniors that seem incapable of regularly attending class.
- Social Senioritis: Senioritis symptoms found specifically in social aspects of their lives. These include things such as not trying as hard to maintain relationships or pushing everyone away because of your attitude. However, it could also be the complete opposite. This Senioritis may instead increase the need in a person to talk more to people, especially during class, to go out to parties every weekend, and to prefer socializing over anything school related.
- Academic Senioritis: Senioritis symptoms found specifically in academic aspects of their lives.
Diagnostic Criteria
Senioritis is a debilitating disorder; however it is not to be confused with similar, common symptoms that are normally found in most of the population. Such include temporary lack of energy, general laziness, normal fluctuations in mood, and the occasional anxiety attack. In order for it to be diagnosed as Senioritis, it has to meet several of the main symptoms such as
- Extreme apathy
- Sudden change in work habits and personality (for the worse)
- Continuous lack of motivation
- The disregard of responsibilities and authority figures
- Appear around the Senior Year
Otherwise, if the person seems to have experienced these experiences all their lives, they are most likely just lazy in general and have a very dismissive attitude by nature.
" I've had Senioritis since Freshman year! "
Diagnostic Features
The defining aspect of Senioritis is the complete change of mood and motivation a student has towards school, from dedication to complete apathy. Those afflicted exhibit a very dismissive attitude and show indifference to most, if not everything, school related. This disorder, like any other, has a wide range of exhibited symptoms and behaviors. It can range from studying a bit less for your classes to completely ignoring any homework responsibilities. Associated with Senioritis is also a very lackadaisical approach to academics, appearances, and relationships. There may also be a drop of respect towards authority figures, like parents, teachers, substitute teachers etc., and a disregard of their authority.
Associated Disorders
Some associated disorders include, but are not limited to, anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders, substance-related disorders, dysphoria, and conduct disorder. All of these are commonly found alongside Senioritis or are caused by Senioritis.
Specific culture, age and gender features
It is associated with and found in Western culture, specifically in the U.S. and Canada. Recent studies show that senioritis may be more prevalent in areas where education is easily accessible and is the norm of the society. This sudden lethargic behavior is, however, found wherever there are secondary schools. So far, Senioritis has been seen to affect males and females equally and it is most prevalent in common senior year ages such as 17- 18 years old.
Duration
A person has the symptoms for 2-3 weeks before it is clinically diagnosed. One week of these symptoms is usually due to temporary physical or environmental conditions.
Specific Symptoms
There is a long range of symptoms that accompany Senioritis; however there are several ones that can be found in most cases. These include, but are not limited to:
- Apathy
- Disregard for the consequences
- Disregard for authority figures such as teachers, counselors, etc.
- Anxiety or Panic attacks
- Degrading social relationships
- Lack of motivation
- Mood swings
- Increased participation in risky activities
- Dismissive attitude
Prevalence
Studies vary slightly in their results, but it has been found that, generally, some 60 to 75 percent of seniors in each school have or have had experienced senioritis during their senior year! The rate between males and females seem to be about roughly equal.
Course
The first signs of Senioritis begin to appear right around or right after the completion of college applications. However, another probably trigger may be the start of the second semester of senior year which lines up with the college application deadlines. Symptoms may begin to lighten up after the first report card, but it generally comes back in full force a couple of weeks before graduation. Although there are rare cases of Senioritis disappearing on its own, without any treatment Senioritis only disappears until after the student graduates from high school. It may reoccur at the end of senior year of college.
Subtypes
Some subtypes of Senioritis include,
- Eightgraderitis: Similar symptoms found in students in the 8th grade.
- Senior Ditcheritis: Seniors that seem incapable of regularly attending class.
- Social Senioritis: Senioritis symptoms found specifically in social aspects of their lives. These include things such as not trying as hard to maintain relationships or pushing everyone away because of your attitude. However, it could also be the complete opposite. This Senioritis may instead increase the need in a person to talk more to people, especially during class, to go out to parties every weekend, and to prefer socializing over anything school related.
- Academic Senioritis: Senioritis symptoms found specifically in academic aspects of their lives.
Diagnostic Criteria
Senioritis is a debilitating disorder; however it is not to be confused with similar, common symptoms that are normally found in most of the population. Such include temporary lack of energy, general laziness, normal fluctuations in mood, and the occasional anxiety attack. In order for it to be diagnosed as Senioritis, it has to meet several of the main symptoms such as
- Extreme apathy
- Sudden change in work habits and personality (for the worse)
- Continuous lack of motivation
- The disregard of responsibilities and authority figures
- Appear around the Senior Year
Otherwise, if the person seems to have experienced these experiences all their lives, they are most likely just lazy in general and have a very dismissive attitude by nature.
" I've had Senioritis since Freshman year! "