Diagnoses of anxiety disorders have risen significantly among young adults in recent years, and they are now among the most common mental health disorders in this age group. Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses marked by unrealistic worry, fear and tension; they include generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Anxiety, which has also become a more frequent diagnosis in children and teenagers, has many causes, including the pull of social networks, economic instability and mental pressure. This article looks at why young people are developing anxiety disorders and what can be done to address this fast-growing mental health issue among the young.
Anxiety disorders: a growing epidemic
Signs of anxiety disorders have been present for as long as human history has been recorded, but incidence rates have risen over the past few decades, especially among children and adolescents. Data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that anxiety disorders are among the leading mental disorders globally, affecting more than 260 million people. The numbers are even higher for young adults: recent research shows that anxiety disorders have become the most commonly reported mental health issue among college students and people aged 18 to 29.
Some level of anxiety is to be expected, and it can be a good motivator, pushing a person to perform at their best during examinations or when faced with other tough tasks. Clinical anxiety, however, paralyses a person. It can affect daily activities, relationships, academic or work productivity and overall health. Measures to reduce the rise in anxiety among young adults can only be identified once the causes of this widespread problem are understood.
Possible reasons for the rise in anxiety among young adults
1. Societal pressures and high expectations
Today’s young generation is under intense social pressure to perform well in academics and later in their careers. Young people worry about college placement, internships and job opportunities, and believe they need to succeed at everything to guarantee a good future. This fear of failure, combined with the pursuit of the perfect solution, leads to chronic stress and anxiety.
The pressure is all the greater because today’s world is marked by rapid change. Financial instability, tuition fees and worries about finding a job afterwards add to it. On top of this, many young adults face financial worries, housing insecurity and job insecurity that leave them feeling stuck in a state of limbo.
2. The impact of social media
Social media is one of the probable causes of heightened anxiety among young people. Networks such as Instagram, TikTok and Facebook let users stage and publish their lives, generally showing only the best side. The downside of constantly being shown pictures and videos of people who seem to have it better than you is that it leads to social comparison, insecurity and FOMO.
In many cases social networks affect young people’s self-esteem because, for many of them, these networks are a source of approval. Social media and other online platforms create pressure to engage constantly and to conform to social norms in order to reach the level they feel society expects of them.
3. Academic and career stress
The pressures of academic life are also leading causes of anxiety in young adults. Learners are frequently stressed by lesson schedules, tests and other demanding school activities. Experience shows that the double pressure of academic success and maintaining a social life, part-time jobs or internships is stressful.
The move from education to the labour market is also complicated. Economic uncertainty means many young adults find themselves with little or no job security, grappling with career changes and social unknowns. Taking on adult responsibilities such as managing one’s own finances and housing leads to anxiety in many young adults.
4. The COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened anxiety disorders in young adults. It disrupted people’s daily lives, from school and work to socialising, contributing to feelings of loneliness and unpredictability. Young people grew more anxious because of health concerns, the pandemic’s effect on the economy and an unknown future.
The pandemic also restricted direct contact, which is vital, since human beings need touch and closeness to support their mental health. The shift to online classes and working from home blurred the boundaries between personal and work life, leaving young people unable to rest or practise self-care.
5. Stigma around mental health
Although mental health problems are increasingly recognised, stigma remains the biggest barrier to young adults seeking care. Many people with anxiety disorders, whether professionally diagnosed or not, feel they should not have them or are afraid of what others will say about them. Cultural attitudes that leave people feeling there is no hope of getting better allow the condition to worsen, raising the risk of complications in the long run.
The effects of anxiety disorders on young adults
The physical effects of anxiety disorders in young adults are unpleasant, as the condition disrupts the normal functioning of the body. Contributing symptoms include worrying too much, feeling restless, trouble focusing or fidgeting, being easily annoyed, and sleep problems. Prolonged anxiety is also known to cause negative changes in a person’s health, such as trouble breathing, stomach upsets and bouts of flu, to name but a few.
Anxiety disorders also lead to a decline in academic and professional performance. Some young adults say that anxious thoughts stop them concentrating on their books or their jobs. The condition can interfere with social relationships or joining a group, leaving a person lonely and isolated.
Anxiety disorders can also at times lead to depression, substance dependence and other disorders. For this reason, among others, intervention and coping mechanisms must be recognised and put in place for young adults.
Coping strategies and solutions
It is important to acknowledge that anxiety disorders have increased over the years; however, there are many approaches available to help reduce anxiety. These solutions can be adopted by people, families, educational institutions and healthcare providers who want to help young adults living with anxiety.
1. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
CBT is the best-known therapy and a scientifically validated method for treating anxiety disorders. It helps a person change unhealthy ways of thinking and perceiving things in life. This type of therapy gives clients strategies for overcoming anxiety in the situations that provoke it, such as deep breathing methods and others.
2. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
Meditation, deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation are other ways of reducing anxiety. Mindfulness trains people to live in the present moment, free from worrying about events that are yet to happen or those that have already passed.
3. Social support and communication
To overcome anxiety, it helps to build a good network of friends and family. When people come forward and talk about their struggles, it breaks down stereotypes, raises awareness and makes it easier for others to open up and get the help they need. People suffering from anxiety disorders should seek support from their friends and families, and from professional healthcare providers.
4. Healthy lifestyle habits
Healthy habits that are crucial in managing anxiety include exercising, eating well and sleeping well. Physical activity effectively reduces stress and anxiety through the release of endorphins, while nutritious eating improves mood and thinking. Good sleep preserves a person’s emotional strength, so that they are able to handle the stresses of the day.
5. Limiting social media use
Limiting the time spent on social media platforms, or avoiding them completely, is a good way of containing the anxiety caused by social comparison and FOMO. Refusing to spend hours browsing different social media platforms, and sometimes going several days with no social media at all, helps to lessen the pressure that social media brings.
Conclusion
The rise in anxiety disorders is the product of the increasingly challenging and fast-changing society that young adults are living in. Student, social, academic and mental pressures, social media, the COVID-19 pandemic and societal expectations have all contributed to this increase, but the solutions above are among the best available. With these issues in mind, young adults, families and communities must work together to find ways of helping people address anxiety and place a premium on mental health.
As we come to understand more about the causes of mental health problems, it is important that young adults are equipped with the basics they need to lead happy, fulfilling lives, and that includes balanced mental health. Greater attention to anxiety can ensure that future generations at least get the support they need to stand up to the tests that life brings.
