Most of us think of our teens and 20s as the years when life is full of parties and good times. But it isn’t always fun and games for every 14- to 27-year-old who make up “Generation Z”. Disturbing research shows that teens and young adults are more likely to feel stressed, depressed, or even suicidal compared with millennials when they were the same age.
The researchers noted a 71 percent increase in young adults reporting psychological distress and a 63 percent jump in those with symptoms of
depression. Among adolescents, the incidence of depressive symptoms jumped by 52 percent. And nearly twice as many in the GenZ population have thought about
suicide.
And that was before the pandemic! The stress, fear, worry, boredom, and frustration since the arrival of COVID-19 is hitting adolescents and young adults harder than any other age group. According to a
survey by the CDC, young adults ages 18-24 are experiencing the highest levels of depression and anxiety, and 25% of them have had serious thoughts about suicide. Aside from the obvious effects of the pandemic, what’s behind the rise in mental illness in young adults?
Researchers point to two likely culprits.
2 Biggest Drivers of Mental Health Issues in Young Adults
1. Excessive Tech Use
Being
tethered to our smartphones isn’t helping our mental health. Several studies have found that heavy social media use is associated with a greater risk for anxiety and depression, loneliness, feelings of isolation, self-esteem issues, and suicidal thoughts. In a
study of over 1 million teens, researchers found that those who had less time screen time and more face-to-face time with friends were happier than those who spent more time on the internet, playing computer games, doing social media, texting, using video chat, or watching TV.
Another study from 2018 found that when college students limited social media time to no more than 30 minutes a day for three weeks, they reported significant reductions in depression and loneliness, as well as less anxiety and
FOMO (or “fear of missing out”). Tech addiction is real, and teens are particularly vulnerable to it.
With the pandemic, tech usage has skyrocketed even higher. One
study showed that internet providers have seen increases in usage of 40% to 100% compared to pre-pandemic statistics.
2. Lack of Sleep
Sleep is vital for mental health, and teens need more of it than adults. For optimal cognitive function, teens require about 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, but less than 9% are getting adequate shut-eye. Research has found
a link between a lack of adequate sleep and mental illness in teens. One study that looked at nearly 28,000 high school students found a 38% increase in symptoms of depression and a 58% rise in suicide attempts for every hour of sleep lost. This same study also found that sleep deprivation was also tied to a 23% increased risk for substance abuse. Addiction is often associated with co-existing mental health issues.
An
online survey from Harvard Medical School about how the pandemic is affecting the mental health of young people found that sleep disruption is the most common symptom. In May 2020, over 75% of young adults experience trouble sleeping. By October, that percentage had dipped slightly to about 72%.
Addiction to technology and lack of sleep not only increases the risk of mental illness but can also disrupt the important processes that are taking place in the developing brain.
The brain continues developing until a person’s mid-20s, so it’s critical to address issues that could interfere with healthy development.
Mental health issues in young people can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation to identify any underlying brain health issues.
As an essential medical practice, Amen Clinics locations are open and available for in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
