The National Institute of Mental Health describes occasional anxiety as “an expected part of life”. The small instances of rapid heartbeats, confusion, and head-spinning are symptoms everyone experiences when faced with a daunting task or experience. But when these symptoms evolve and become more frequent, occasional anxiety can turn into an anxiety disorder.
Those who suffer from general anxiety disorder (GAD) experience anxiety-type behavior for the majority of 6 months. Their anxiety can affect relationships, social interaction, sleep, make them restless, cause muscle tension, and uncontrollable feelings of worry. Panic disorder is another type of anxiety-related disorder. Those who display panic disorder suffer from unexpected panic attacks, which are severe moments of extreme fear and anxiety. Heart palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, trembling, and “fear of an impending doom” are common symptoms that people may experience during panic attacks.
In addition to these anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder (anxiety/fear of social situations), separation-anxiety disorder (fear/anxiety over being apart from a person they have become attached to), and specific-phobia disorder (when a person displays extreme fear and anxiety over a specific situation; flying, heights, animals, blood, etc.) are common. Because of the range of symptoms and types of anxiety, everyone experiences it to a differing extent; it is important to know what causes your anxiety and consult an expert who can help you deal with symptoms.
To better understand anxiety, it is important to know about what takes place within the body. Outside stimuli impact a select number of regions of the brain, the amygdala being the largest player in producing anxiety symptoms. The amygdala is associated with producing emotions, in this case, fear. Since emotional memories are stored within the amygdala, it may play a role in the anxiety those with specific-phobia disorder experience. Working to alert the rest of the brain by interpreting signals, the amygdala’s ‘trigger’ causes the brain to secrete various chemicals that are the cause of the aforementioned symptoms of anxiety.
Cortisol and norepinephrine are both neurotransmitters and chemicals that contribute to the feeling of accelerated heartbeat, and rapid breath associated with anxiety. The secretion of these chemicals from the adrenal glands into the blood ultimately puts the body into a ‘survival mode’. Low levels of the neurotransmitters and chemicals, dopamine and serotonin, are known to be associated with anxiety disorders. Dopamine, usually associated with reward and motivation, can be a reason for anxiety. Studies have shown that decreased levels of dopamine correlate with depression and loss of motivation. Those who experience depression often also experience anxiety— panic attacks are a common symptom of depression.
According to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association, people ages 15-21 are reported to have the worst mental health of any generation. This is due to the many issues faced by members of Gen Z. In addition, 91% of Gen Z adults say they have experienced at least one emotional symptom due to stress in the past month compared to 74% in all adults.
Common Causes
There are many theories as to why anxiety is more prevalent among Gen Z individuals than others. Many people assume this is due to the ‘snowflake’ thesis, or the idea that today’s youth have been coddled by parents and aren’t independent enough to have mental resilience. However, according to U of A sociologist, Lisa Strohschein, Gen Z has it tougher than previous generations.
Members of Gen Z are significantly less likely to own homes or get married. This can be the cause of all sorts of stress in their personal life. But that’s not all; work-life has become more stressful and competitive than it was 10 years ago, leaving them with less time to enjoy themselves. In a study from Time magazine, it was found that income was the main source of stress; it affected 81% of Gen Z, but only 64% of adults overall. Though in Gen Z, it is certainly easier to be more educated, the path to success isn’t as clear as it had been before. This can be due to the competition of getting into college, work, etc. It is somewhat of a norm for most Gen Zers to attend college or pursue higher studies, making the application process harder and more competitive.
In the US, the rise in gun violence in schools has significantly impacted school-aged Gen Zers. 75% of Gen Z individuals reported gun violence as a massive source of stress. There has also been an rapid increase in suicide rates, sexual harassment cases, seperation of migrant families, etc. These incidents impact members of Gen Z notably more than adults of other generations.
A survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that teenagers that spend more time than average on screen activities are more likely to be unhappy. Social media seems to be one of the leading causes of mental illness among Gen Zers as it causes isolation from face-to-face interaction. This lack of interaction can result in issues with self/social confidence among individuals. The average levels of loneliness are higher among young people; research shows that a stronger social network can help improve mental health, in some cases. In a study conducted on social media, 45% said social media made them feel judged, and 38% said they felt bad about themselves.
Some claim that rates of anxiety and other mental health issues may be common among Gen Zers due to the fact that this generation is more conscious of their mental health and is able to articulate them to others. In the American Psychological Association’s ‘Stress in America’ report, 45% of Gen Z reported having excellent or very good mental health. This number is drastically lower than in other generations. Thus, we can conclude that Gen Z may be more comfortable in articulating their issues than previous generations.
Stigma Surrounding Anxiety
When discussing mental health, it is often important to mention the stigma that surrounds this topic. A stigma is ‘a mark of disgrace or shame associated with quality or a circumstance.’ People with anxiety are often considered unpredictable and weak, since they may lack the ability to converse with others well in social situations. However, by stigmatizing these individuals, the impact can stop them from addressing their mental health issues when they occur.
Anxiety disorder has in many situations been generalized as stress, its true meaning has been lost in the stigma. Without first-hand experience, the impact of anxiety on a person is difficult to understand. Despite common belief, this disorder is not a temporary occurrence. These ideas can contribute to worsening an individual’s anxiety.
Gen Z seems to be the generation of mental health crusaders, working hard to crush the stigma. According to a study in the APA ‘Stress in America’ report, Gen Z is 27% likely to report mental health concerns. Though this may seem like a small number, this is significantly higher than Millennials (15%) and Gen X(13%).
You can be stigmatizing an individual with an anxiety disorder and not know that you are doing so. The following tips will help you and others around you be aware of what you can do to fight the stigma surrounding anxiety:
- Talk openly about mental health, don’t be ashamed of it and help to educate others around you.
- Be aware of the words you use, don’t dehumanize or label others by their anxiety.
- Listen and be empathetic to someone talking about their own disorder, don’t downplay their struggle.
- Know that everybody is human, anxiety is only an aspect of their personality.
How People Take Care of Their Anxiety
There are many ways to treat anxiety, from making minor changes in lifestyle to psychotherapy. It is important to find ways to control it.
When making lifestyle changes, adding physical activity, making sleep a priority, mediating/using relaxation techniques, as well as eating healthy and decreasing nicotine and caffeine intake can help better anxiety’s effect on a person.
Going to psychotherapy sessions allows individuals to talk to a therapist about what they experience. Therapists will also give clients advice on how to make changes in your life to reduce anxiety’s toll.
Medication is another way to combat anxiety. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants to patients who experience severe anxiety. Antidepressants can be selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or other neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitors that help regulate chemical imbalances in the brain.
When coping with anxiety, creating plans and keeping a routine is important. Sticking to a treatment plan, which can be set up by a doctor, addressing what makes you anxious, socializing, and finding support from others are good ways to deal with stress.
It is clear that due to our changing society, there has been more pressure placed upon younger generations. Whether it is a call for political reform or pressure to succeed, Gen Zers must find ways to deal with stressors that other generations did not experience. In order to aid newer generations with these struggles, making sure to remove the stigma surrounding mental health will also stop people from neglecting therapy.