the article
the article
Over the last decade, anxiety has overtaken depression as the most common reason college students seek counseling services. In its annual survey of students, the American College Health Association found a significant increase — to 62 percent in 2016 from 50 percent in 2011 — of undergraduates reporting “overwhelming anxiety” in the previous year. Surveys that look at symptoms related to anxiety are also telling. In 1985, the Higher Education Research Institute at U.C.L.A. began asking incoming college freshmen if they “felt overwhelmed by all I had to do” during the previous year. In 1985, 18 percent said they did. By 2010, that number had increased to 29 percent. Last year, it surged to 41 percent.
- There are many different theories about why the rate of depression and similar illnesses has had a huge jump over the last couple of years. Some think it has to do with over-diagnosing, others think its just a "special snowflake" thing. Personally, I think this has to do with my generation being exposed to harsh reality at such a young age via technology. After all, we are the first generation to have modern technology since birth. It is incredibly sad to think that every other teenager I know has some form of mental instability. Moreover, the affects of technology have been on my mind lately. Even now, as I am aware of the effects, I simply cannot function without my cell phone. In fact, right now I am sitting on my laptop vigorously typing in the dark, while my brother (who has come to visit from college) and parents spend time together in the living room. To prove this addiction, I left my phone at home for one school day. It forced me to look up as I walked in the halls, which for some reason, made me unbearably anxious. I felt vulnerable and naked. I then decided to have my phone, but delete social media. I lasted 20 minutes without instagram; 10 without snapchat. It truly is an addiction, not just for me, for everyone.
I honestly think that American teenagers suffer from anxiety because they are a lot more pressured than others. especially if all they do is testing and you never know what goes on in their personal life. but that's just my opinion.
ReplyDeletebtw, this is Elizabeth keehn
DeleteOlivia Wall- So many people get stressed out I feel like, but in so many different ways and in different variations. I think that teenagers get so stressed because of added pressure from several factors.
ReplyDeletepeople have different lives like Elizabeth said we never know whats going on in their day and i think thats why people have anxiety
ReplyDeleteI think the majority of it stems from the workload students receive nowadays as well as college preparation. College has always been something that all students have been encouraged to go to, but the difference lies in the payoff. In my grandparents' days, it was possible to get a well paying job after high school whereas today, college is mandatory for any career job. It's rather ridiculous that so much emphasis is put on an institution that leaves one years in debt for a decent paying job.
ReplyDeleteAnxiety possibly finds roots in the high expectations of adults, most specifically parents/guardians. Worry and overwhelming stress accumulate to have us feel "out-of-physical-space" (as in you're basically having a mini crisis with details such as grade points or personal issues bottling up) - sort of like how you feel when you start walking on solid ground immediately after stepping off a treadmill. Technology isn't a disadvantage or some sort of hamartia, it should be handled as an advantage to previous experiences and generations.
ReplyDeleteThe younger generation has to work so hard to make sure we don't end up homeless. The tuitions for private colleges in America are so overwhelming high so people have to put more work in to try to get scholarships. The social expectations that we have to meet are also really hard because on social media people can comment about all your flaws and hide behind a screen, no one wants that.
ReplyDeleteThe competion regarding getting into a good university and the amount of stress our generation has to endure regarding workload, social life, family issues and like you said technology to top it all off, I feel is a reasonable explanation to why the rates anxiety has increased.
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