From the dawn of Western medicine and civilization, being diagnosed with a mental disorder has been considered a huge problem in society. A person dealing with a mental disorder has historically been looked down on, shamed or excluded from normal everyday activities, with the excuse that he does not belong with “the normal” kids. These people were often stereotyped as crazy or violent.
Although, some mental illnesses or disorders can make a person sometimes violent or unpredictable, this is often vastly exaggerated by the media.
When a person with a mental disorder is having a crisis, it is somewhat accurate to become aggressive or violent. However, studies have shown that using drugs or alcohol is a much more reliable predictor of violent behavior than any mental disorder.
Therefore, it is somewhat more likely for a person with a mental disorder to become more aggressive using alcohol or drugs than a person without a disorder, anyhow, the vast majority acts of violence are committed by people without a mental disorder
Individual acts of bravery and compassion can change the world. It is time to do the same with mental health. – Lady Gaga
Mental disorders, come in all shapes and sizes. As strange as this may sound, not every mental disorder is the same, nor does any person experience it the same. Out there in the world are numerous mental disorders and about 10% of the world population suffer from some kind of disorder and 20% of children and young adults are diagnosed with a type.
As a young adult living the 21st century, I have been a witness to numerous cases of young people between 14-30 dealing with a anxiety disorder and depression, including myself.
My believe is, that all those hours spent on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook etc, has made it extremely hard to focus on the bigger picture in life.
Although, having information from all around the world in reach within seconds from its doing can somehow be a good advantage us Millennials have, in many ways can also be a huge mental setback.
People these days are making a lot more money on the Internet by using YouTube, Instagram, Facebook even new platforms like Tik-tock, which sets a somewhat bad example to young adults trying to making it the old traditional way putting themselves through collage in the real world.
In my opinion, these new ways of everyday life are the main anxiety triggers in my country and the world in general.
Anxiety disorder is a medical condition, which includes symptoms of increased anxiety or panic that are directly caused by a physical health problem. Generalized anxiety disorder, includes persistent and excessive anxiety and worry about activities and events and even ordinary, routine issues.
So the general question is what causes anxiety in young people?
Although, some situations are normal to cause stress or fear in young adults, they do not have big worries on their plate. Not having to worry about putting food on the table, or providing for the family, paying mortgage or raising children.
Therefore, there are numerous causes where teens and young adults are exposed to stress and some causes remain unclear about how anxiety works our brains.
One of the main problems regarding anxiety in young adults is high expectations.
Being exposed to different contents of social media can have different effects on every person. Young adults nowadays have huge expectations about what life is supposed to look like with seeing accomplished celebrities living in big mansions, or the twisted realities introduced to us in the media. That causes pressure and leads to mental disorders later on.
In North Macedonia, the country that I come from, people around my age are mostly hiding their mental disorders such as anxiety or depression, with the thought that that is something shameful or embarrassing.
I personally believe, they are scared of destroying the paradigm of “the ideal perfect human” society has imposed on us. That has been done by social media in the last decade mostly.
As someone who is suffering from anxiety, I have had affront row seat to this mental disorder.
Nevertheless, there are numerous other causes affecting young adults with anxiety and depression.
It all depends on the type of the anxiety disorders people are dealing with. For example, phobias as an anxiety disorder can be triggered from past trauma, childhood memories or parental fear.
In my experience, phobias can later grow into a greater form of generalized anxiety if not treated.
As a young adult dealing with anxiety, I can speak only for myself and the studies in have read regarding this issue, so, I want to dedicate this article to every person out there by saying “You are not alone”. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from or what you own or don’t anxiety can affect you. But, you should know that it does not own you nor does it have to define who you are as a person. People may leave, judge you or don’t understand what you are going through and in that same time you may not be the easiest person to be dealt with, however always have in mind that this is only going to be a part of you as much as you let it.
To sum things up, being affected with anxiety doesn’t have to last a lifetime, it may not be easy it may not seem solvable but there are ways to recovery.
Recovery is a process of change though which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. The key word in this definition is “Change” being able to understand what you are going through and then being ready to change the you everyday lifestyle by standing up to the things
that scare you and make you anxious is the basic way to recovery. Although, it may not be easy or fast it will get you to a better place in life. In the process of helping yourself you should let people in on what you are going through and if needed visit a mental health professional. It’s important to remember that the mental health professionals are there to be your ally, and they really want to help. In order for them to help you, it’s important that you share with them everything that is going on and what you are feeling because they can’t read your mind. Plus, you are the only expert of yourself.
Lastly, I want to add that everything that these people are feeling are valid, they won’t be able to always describe it but it is there and it is true and sometimes the best thing every individual can do is be a nice human being and just listen.
And to every person dealing with this disorder, although you may think you are sometimes weak, remember bravery isn’t the absence of fear, but having that fear and finding a way through it.
