Why are teenagers so stressed today? What challenges do teenagers face?
Anxiety and depression are rising in today’s youth. These issues often stem from stress caused by global anxiety, comparisons to other people, and struggling with self-worth.
Continue reading to learn why stress in young people is causing a generation of anxiety.
The Rise of Stress in Teenagers
Today’s youth face unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression. The stress in young people is particularly evident when it comes to concerns about the planet, their place in it, and their future prospects. Many find themselves grappling with deep-seated self-loathing and despondency, fueled by a relentless ambition to outdo their past successes and a habit of comparing themselves to others on various online platforms.
You might be surprised to learn that today’s youth are confronted with exceptionally intense emotional stress and pressure from their early years. Their prominence on the global scene leads to a profound sense of existential discomfort. The relentless social comparison and the drive to surpass others often result in a state where numerous adolescents struggle with self-doubt and despair.
During their teenage years, young individuals face challenges that impact their sense of self-worth while dealing with a barrage of information, emotional events, and issues related to their personal identities. Take Lisa, for example. She excels academically and engages in various extracurricular pursuits, but often hides an underlying fear of inadequacy and a sense of loneliness.
Coping Through Substance Use
An increasing number of young individuals are turning to e-cigarettes and marijuana as a way to cope with their prevalent anxiety and depression. The use of e-cigarettes, Juul products, and a range of substances including cannabis and prescription medications has been on the rise among teenagers.
Many young people today have formed a reliance on products like e-cigarettes, similar to how a young child might become attached to a security blanket or pacifier. These habits, along with marijuana consumption, may sometimes lead to experimentation with more dangerous substances.
Teens often resort to substances to manage emotions like distress, unease, and other troubling feelings. Many turn to substance use as an escape from persistent feelings of stress and anxiety. What starts as recreational use of cannabis can transition into a daily habit for therapeutic purposes, providing relief for stress and helping to control depressive symptoms.
