Why Is Anxiety So Common in America? What Changed? Unfortunately, no one seems to have an exact answer as to why anxiety is so common, but many attribute this presumed increase in anxiety disorders to factors such as social media, poor sleep habits, lowered stigma, and underreporting in the past.
Hofmann said social media, family issues and stress are main factors contributing to the weak mental health among college students. She also said the rise of violence in the country has caused a spike in anxiety among Gen Z. “We saw the trend with millennials and saw a greater impact with Gen Z,” said Hofmann.
A brief look into mental health statistics will suggest that anxiety is more prevalent now than it has ever been. You can find studies all over the internet that report an increase in anxiety and depression-related disorders over the last century.
For nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults, it goes beyond even that. Diagnoses for anxiety disorders — most commonly phobias, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and post-traumatic stress — are all on the rise.
Anxiety increased from 2008 to 2018 among American adults. Nearly 7% of adults and 15% of young adults reported anxiety in 2018. Anxiety increased most rapidly among young adults ages 18–25 years old. Anxiety did not significantly increase among individuals 50 years old and older.
Various factors can cause anxiety to worsen. The triggers vary between individuals but include ongoing stress, a bereavement, financial problems, and key events, such as a job interview. Anxiety can lead to feelings of nervousness, apprehension, and worry.
General anxiety disorder can be a devastating condition, one that warrants mental health services for 6.8 million American adults every year. But a new study suggests that over-diagnosis of the disorder, especially among the poor, is also an alarming issue.
Throughout the pandemic, symptoms of anxiety and depression have been more pronounced among several populations. For example, individuals experiencing household job loss were more likely than their counterparts to report symptoms of anxiety and/or depression (53% vs. 30%) in February 2023 (Figure 2).
So it's no surprise recent studies have declared millennials, especially women, the most anxious generation in history. Anxiety comes in many forms, but the simplest way to describe it is feeling worried or nervous about the future or uncertain situations.
According to Cigna International Health's 2023 survey of almost 12,000 workers around the world, 91% of 18-to-24-year-olds report being stressed – compared to 84% on average. Research indicates Gen Z are emerging as the most stressed demographic in the workplace, and struggling mightily to cope.
In 2017-18, 3.2 million Australians (13.1%) had an anxiety-related condition. This was an increase from 2014-15 when 2.6 million people (or 11.2%) had such a condition. Females had an anxiety-related condition at one and a half times the rate of males (15.7% compared with 10.6%).
Anxiety disorders (such as Social Phobia) are the most common type of disorder, affecting 1 in 6 (17%, or 3.3 million) Australians, followed by Affective disorders (such as Depressive Episode) (8%), and Substance Use disorders (such as Alcohol Dependence) (3. %).
Panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder may be recognized in the “panophobias” in the nosology published by Boissier de Sauvages in the 18th century. Also, anxiety symptoms were an important component of new disease constructs, culminating in neurasthenia in the 19th century.
Whether it's financial debt, consumption of social media, always connected work environments or heavier workloads with fewer resources, there are many different factors that may cause higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression in millennials compared to past generations.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), people in the 18-33 age group suffer the highest levels of stress in the U.S.
There's clear research showing that anxiety is influenced by genetics. In fact, experts noticed a family connection for anxiety even before they understood how DNA or genes worked. If you have a close relative with anxiety, your chance of developing it's about 2 to 6 times higher than if you don't.
Gen Zs are growing up and coming of age in a time of heightened stress and anxiety. From violence and terrorism to a global pandemic, Zoomers have dealt with significant issues in a relatively short period of time.
Doing so may reveal why millennials are the happiest generation—like, ever. Their secret? Taking care of themselves. And that goes for mind, body, and spirit, experts say.
Older generations score higher on emotional intelligence assessments than each successively younger generation – and as a result: form stronger relationships, perform more effectively at work, and achieve higher wellbeing. The short answer: Boomers. Followed by Gen X, and then Millennials.
However, recently reported clusters of anxiety-related events after administration of COVID-19 vaccine in five mass vaccination sites in the US reminded that the vaccination could conversely worse vaccinees' mental problems (Hause et al., 2021).
These concerns are normal and common. Typical worries that people who've had coronavirus have include: fears about health and recovery – for example, thinking "I'll never get back to how I was" stress about being off work and the impact on finances – for example, thinking "I'll lose my job"
Mental health conditions are increasing worldwide. Mainly because of demographic changes, there has been a 13% rise in mental health conditions and substance use disorders in the last decade (to 2017). Mental health conditions now cause 1 in 5 years lived with disability.
The Link Between Evolution and Mental Health
Food wasn't readily available, nor was finding a partner for reproduction. The pressures of survival and reproduction were high. Because of that, evolutionary psychologists believe that early humans did experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
While anxiety can be addictive, it does not appear to be nearly as addictive as other substances, especially nicotine, alcohol, and opioids. Many patients can overcome those addictions, sometimes even naturally.
Everyone experiences anxiety and fear at times – these are normal and helpful human emotions that help us deal with danger. However, some people experience excessive and irrational anxiety and worries that become ongoing and distressing, and that interfere with their daily lives. This may indicate an anxiety disorder.