The rates of anxiety among young people are not just rising —they’re skyrocketing.
But what’s driving this surge? Is it a genuine increase in anxiety levels, or are we simply diagnosing it more often because our understanding of mental health has evolved?
Is the bar now lower?
In today’s world, the definition of anxiety might encompass a broader range of experiences than it did in the past. Our heightened awareness and better diagnostic tools mean that we recognise anxiety in its many forms.
This is great in many ways of course.
It brings much-needed attention and support to those struggling.
Also, having someone provide a label for what you’re feeling can be a huge comfort. To be given a name for something that has troubled you, whether it’s anxiety, another mental health condition or neurodiverity can be an absolute game changer for people.
Having said all of this, can labels be counterproductive? Or even damaging?
I think in some circumstances, yes…
In some situations, what might have been considered in the past as within the realms of “normal stress” is now more likely to be labelled as anxiety.
Once someone has that label, it can compound the feeling that they are different and afflicted. Entrenching the belief that they are a problem, malfunctioning in some way and not like other “normal” people.
Now, we know don’t we that none of us is really “normal”?! We are all a bit wonky. And anxiety is part of the human condition.
The Role of Alcohol and Behavior – A Double-Edged Sword
This is something no one seems to be talking about.
The fact that today’s youth are more well-behaved than previous generations. They drink less alcohol and often avoid using it as a crutch to cope with stress and anxiety. They are much better informed about the dangers to our health of excessive alcohol consumption. They’ve probably seen grandparents and parents struggle with alcohol misuse. They may have even experienced deaths through alcohol-related cirrhosis or suicide while people are intoxicated. These are sadly the realities of everyday life. Particularly for those of us in our 30s, 40s and above.
So it’s fantastic that young people have a healthier relationship with alcohol.
And yet – what did we older ones use alcohol for? We used it as a social lubricant and a way to unwind – to alleviate anxiety! Yes, it was the ultimate double edged sword. And it came back to bite us on the bum. But, as a temporary measure, it was pretty effective.
Have the younger generations got a pressure release valve to help them with their anxiety? I’m sure some do. But many don’t.
Where are the ‘guardrails’ of society?
The other issue of course is the internet and social media. They have revolutionised the way we interact with the world in good ways and bad ways. They’ve dismantled many of the societal structures that once acted as guardrails. Older generations grew up with clear societal norms and boundaries that helped guide their behaviour. In contrast, today’s young people are navigating an open, unfiltered world, where the lines between public and private, real and virtual, are increasingly blurred.
In response, many young people have become more sensible and cautious, creating their own boundaries to compensate for the lack of societal ones. But, as I say, this self-imposed sensibleness might also be contributing to their anxiety. Perhaps they’re something about bumping up against the edges in life, making your own mistakes that allowed us previous generations to experiment (in a relatively safer way than the younger generations can), make mistakes, and learn from them.
Testing the Waters
So should we be encouraging young people to test the waters and experience their own limits. This doesn’t mean advocating for reckless behaviour, but promoting healthy risk-taking. Facing challenges and overcoming them is a crucial part of personal development and can help mitigate anxiety by building confidence and coping skills. My fear, in our feelings-focused age, is that, in some situations, we are being encouraged to listen to their feelings a little too much. “Feeling anxious? Then stay at home and practice self-care”. Sometimes that is not the most helpful approach. Sometimes the best thing we can do is face the fear and build that confidence that we can get through those anxiety-producing situations.
What do you think? Are we talking a load of bunkum? Or do you think there’s something in this? Get in touch and let us know!
Author – Annmarie Carvalho
TCC (The Carvalho Consultancy) provide therapy for anxiety for lawyers and professionals within the legal sector.