Anxiety among millennials - what are its causes?

The millennial generation is prone to anxiety disorders. There are many reasons for this. We talk about them in this article. Unrest among millennials is becoming an increasingly common phenomenon. Millennials are a controversial generation. They are usually said to be addicted to social media and have more problems in their lives than their parents. In fact, the data suggests millennial anxiety is at its highest in history.

Chronologically speaking, millennials are anyone born between 1981 and 1993. This period is marked by certain milestones that seem to have had a great impact on an entire generation of that time.

The socio-cultural context of millennials

The period between 1981 and 1993 was a time of great technological and social changes that gave rise to the world we know today. Those who were born around this time grew up with the advent of the Internet in many of their homes. In addition, society was experiencing a boom period and everyone did not realize that we were heading towards the economic crisis of 2008.

It was connected with an open mind to accept groups that until now had been marked by stereotypes and social stigma. That is why we are talking about the social and economic evolution that was then shaken by the economic crisis of 2008. How could this relate to anxiety disorders and anxiety?

Unrest among millennials

Anxiety, as a mental state and not a symptom, is characterized by restlessness or nervousness in the face of events that have not yet happened. When this fear reaches a very high level and persists for a long time, we can speak of an anxiety disorder. Usually, the internal and external factors that cause this anxiety act simultaneously.

High expectations placed on them during the 2008 crisis

The sense of dynamism and early childhood progression of this generation had quite high expectations: further exponential development at almost all levels. There was prosperity that gave them the opportunity to train and prepare. Moreover, they did not have to rush to gain access to the labor market like previous generations.

However, the contraction of the market made optimism disappear, many companies were shut down, and many initiatives were completed before they began. The message changed from "you can get what you want" to "you have to be content with what is." No wonder this period has proved to be a breeding ground for chronic frustration and anxiety.

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Adapt to the time of constant change

The older generation lived in a world where resources and opportunities were limited. This led to an overprotective parenting style where they had the means to invest in having a "trophy child". However, as society and the economy began to change rapidly, uncertainty about new challenges that would have to be tackled became one of the main causes of concern.

Psychosocial development towards individualism

The consumer society and the birth of social networks have endowed millennials with a sense of self that is based on individuality and driven by the strengthening of social approval. In fact, although they were later warned of the virtual life scams, many millennials have already become somewhat addicted to approval.

Life circumstances inconsistent with mental well-being

Many millennials struggled to find a home or a well-paid job. This delayed their psychosocial maturation in some areas. For example, coping in adulthood without the help of parents. In fact, the average age of emancipation has been significantly delayed. It made some of them feel frustrated and stagnant.

Bad life habits

Caffeine abuse, poor sleep hygiene, and excessive use of mobile devices. It includes the habits that define this generation. These are habits that predispose them to certain mental states that are compatible with anxiety. In fact, there are studies that linked the consumption of caffeine and other substances to anxiety. A direct link was found between them.

Changing the family model

The traditional family model of two parents of different sexes plus children was influenced by political and social changes experienced by the previous generation. Therefore, millennials had to adapt to divorce and one-parent families.

All is not lost

However, not everything that surrounds this generation is related to anxiety and problems. In fact, millennials are considered to be one of the generations that has a greater ability to adapt to change. Moreover, they are able to convey their openness and tolerance to those who follow and precede them.

This new generation is characterized by overcoming the stigma of mental disorders and creating safe environments for all people with mental illness. Therefore, despite the fact that anxiety among millennials is a problem that has not yet been eliminated, the resources that have spawned from it have laid a solid foundation for good mental health management.