Story at a glance Data management firm Harmony Healthcare IT recently released a report on the state of Gen Zers mental health. As part of the report, the firm conducted a survey on Gen Zers…
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, just like everyone has minor bouts of depression or invasive compulsions. Some non-disordered might even still experience them often.
Not everyone experiences these feelings pervasively to a degree it prevents them from socioeconomic success (making friends, going outside, finding and keeping a job, etc).
If the majority of people have it, wouldn’t that make it the order of things and not a disorder?
If everyone has the same affliction then that’s just the norm. Better questions would be centered on what is it about society that is engendering these new social norms?
But that would take real discussions, dive into politics and economics and necessitate actual actions instead of just more NeoLiberal busybody posturing. Keep kicking that can down the road boomers, it is after all, all you’ve ever fucking done, besides let the country devolve into dilapidation and disrepair under your watch. Institutionalized neglect, smh
I was only discussing the definition of a disorder. But if you want to get into sophistry and impotent political venting, sure. If 60% of people can’t make connections with others or hold down a job because of their mental health, I question anyone who would call that anything but a disordered society, and that includes you saying it’s “the order of things.”
That said, this is an informal self-reported poll with a possibly exaggerated headline. It’s entirely possible the actual disorder most of GenZ has is self-diagnosis and identity culture, in which if one doesn’t have a disorder or three, one becomes the weirdo in a group.
I found this line from the article especially telling:
The survey also showed that 2 out of 5 go to therapy and 53 percent have gotten professional help for mental health at some point.
Notice how 53% is less than 60? And we’d have to assume each and every one of the 53% was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder on those “at some point” visits to come close to supporting the headline’s claim.
I think if measurable socioeconomic markers supported the 60% number, it would be bigger news. Are they more anxious, sure. But again… anxiety does not imply anxiety disorder. As it stands, publishing inaccurate headlines like this makes people take the real issues – and there ARE a lot of big, pervasive societal issues at play – less seriously.
(And because I know y’all need to hear it: if you, dear reader, have a professional diagnosis, none of this is talking about you.)
I don’t think it’s quite fair to unload on genZ about self diagnosis when access to medical care is restricted and understaffed as it is here in America. Another way to see it is at least genZ is concerned with their mental health and concerned enough about other people’s that theyve set to normalizing it.
I’m sure if therapy were blanket covered by insurance than 9 out of 10 people wouldve gone by now. All those numbers are only indicative of how many people could afford, what’s often considered elective, medical care.
And then how many received a diagnosis just so the doctor knew they’d get paid? $$$ in medicine fucks up all our stats, which fucks up all the conclusions we draw from them.
It’s really not my problem that you viewed me pointing out 53 < 60 as “unloading.”
And “normalizing” having a serious disorder is dangerous. This is not behavior that should be applauded. It dilutes the experience of those who do have it and saps the available resources. Again, not “unloading,” just facts that can be verified with any professional in the field. None of this is coming from emotion.
Going to therapy is good. Absolutely, yes, 90% should go. At no point did I shame therapy, I just pointed out the numbers don’t line up and it proves there is definitely self-diagnosis going on.
I’m not lambasting you or even arguing with your first two paragraphs here. I agree with you, to be clear. I dont even see the point in chiming in on the mental disorder “collectors”, it just feels exactly like boomers telling me “I ruined everything” as a millennial. genZ doing stupid shit as teenagers, let it go, they were teenagers. We got lucky that Tom was a true homie and wiped Myspace on his way out the door. Let the kids have tictok while they still know everything. They’ll come to terms with reality when they have to, just like we did. I don’t see the point in holding this kind of thing over their heads.
And if you feel you aren’t, great. But enough people do and you’re just adding to the chorus. Just be aware of the company youre keeping, all I’m saying.
In the 50s-70s kids identified with car culture. In the 80s-90s kids identified and differentiated thru music. I can’t even tell you what kids do now, I’m not at an age, or profession, to be interested in that knowledge. Teens rebel. They’re smart enough to start shouldering some responsibility but society keeps them from utilizing their agency. Social media gives them some of that agency back, even if it is for dumb shit like eating tidepods. Some kids HAVE to touch the stove. Some kids learn by jumping in the deep end (right here, I did that). Theyre in the process of discovery. There’s always been clicks, it’s part of how we figure out who and what we are.
Beyond that, going to, or worse, NEEDING (GASP!) therapy IS shamed, even if you aren’t doing it.
Not just shamed for some, but detrimental, to most men’s careers.
Any high stress job, surgeon, police, law, there goes your chances of advancement.
Because for some reason accepting the fact that people don’t have all the necessary tools to process every situation in life is seen as some kind of failing, even tho entire fields of study are dedicated to it.
Getting therapy should be seen as nothing more than going to an expert, because you are smart enough to know you aren’t. Which makes it the smarter, more rational decision. People are complicated and obtuse. And language, while pretty amazing at some stuff really falls flat for most everything internal. It takes specialization. People dedicate their lives to JUST that. That entire train of thought needs normalization, universal promotion, and access commodified, as well as made mandatory for said, and unsaid, high stress professions.
I’m aware. That was the point of me pointing out that you’d have to assume all 53% had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. It’s incredibly unrealistic. And yet 60% have a disorder? There is absolutely self-diagnosis happening.
It’s entirely possible the actual disorder most of GenZ has is self-diagnosis and identity culture, in which if one doesn’t have a disorder or three, one becomes the weirdo in a group.
If we know somewhat what a healthy human should behave like or think like, not discounting individual’s uniqueness, then any deviation that causes difficulty in life would be a disorder. Simply to ruin the whole species it doesn’t make it orderly.
Not everyone experiences these feelings pervasively to a degree it prevents them from socioeconomic success (making friends, going outside, finding and keeping a job, etc).
I know, who tf are these people?! They’re like aliens to me lol
The key word is “disorder” though.
Everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, just like everyone has minor bouts of depression or invasive compulsions. Some non-disordered might even still experience them often.
Not everyone experiences these feelings pervasively to a degree it prevents them from socioeconomic success (making friends, going outside, finding and keeping a job, etc).
If the majority of people have it, wouldn’t that make it the order of things and not a disorder?
If everyone has the same affliction then that’s just the norm. Better questions would be centered on what is it about society that is engendering these new social norms?
But that would take real discussions, dive into politics and economics and necessitate actual actions instead of just more NeoLiberal busybody posturing. Keep kicking that can down the road boomers, it is after all, all you’ve ever fucking done, besides let the country devolve into dilapidation and disrepair under your watch. Institutionalized neglect, smh
I was only discussing the definition of a disorder. But if you want to get into sophistry and impotent political venting, sure. If 60% of people can’t make connections with others or hold down a job because of their mental health, I question anyone who would call that anything but a disordered society, and that includes you saying it’s “the order of things.”
That said, this is an informal self-reported poll with a possibly exaggerated headline. It’s entirely possible the actual disorder most of GenZ has is self-diagnosis and identity culture, in which if one doesn’t have a disorder or three, one becomes the weirdo in a group.
I found this line from the article especially telling:
Notice how 53% is less than 60? And we’d have to assume each and every one of the 53% was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder on those “at some point” visits to come close to supporting the headline’s claim.
I think if measurable socioeconomic markers supported the 60% number, it would be bigger news. Are they more anxious, sure. But again… anxiety does not imply anxiety disorder. As it stands, publishing inaccurate headlines like this makes people take the real issues – and there ARE a lot of big, pervasive societal issues at play – less seriously.
(And because I know y’all need to hear it: if you, dear reader, have a professional diagnosis, none of this is talking about you.)
I don’t think it’s quite fair to unload on genZ about self diagnosis when access to medical care is restricted and understaffed as it is here in America. Another way to see it is at least genZ is concerned with their mental health and concerned enough about other people’s that theyve set to normalizing it.
I’m sure if therapy were blanket covered by insurance than 9 out of 10 people wouldve gone by now. All those numbers are only indicative of how many people could afford, what’s often considered elective, medical care.
And then how many received a diagnosis just so the doctor knew they’d get paid? $$$ in medicine fucks up all our stats, which fucks up all the conclusions we draw from them.
It’s really not my problem that you viewed me pointing out 53 < 60 as “unloading.”
And “normalizing” having a serious disorder is dangerous. This is not behavior that should be applauded. It dilutes the experience of those who do have it and saps the available resources. Again, not “unloading,” just facts that can be verified with any professional in the field. None of this is coming from emotion.
Going to therapy is good. Absolutely, yes, 90% should go. At no point did I shame therapy, I just pointed out the numbers don’t line up and it proves there is definitely self-diagnosis going on.
I’m not lambasting you or even arguing with your first two paragraphs here. I agree with you, to be clear. I dont even see the point in chiming in on the mental disorder “collectors”, it just feels exactly like boomers telling me “I ruined everything” as a millennial. genZ doing stupid shit as teenagers, let it go, they were teenagers. We got lucky that Tom was a true homie and wiped Myspace on his way out the door. Let the kids have tictok while they still know everything. They’ll come to terms with reality when they have to, just like we did. I don’t see the point in holding this kind of thing over their heads.
And if you feel you aren’t, great. But enough people do and you’re just adding to the chorus. Just be aware of the company youre keeping, all I’m saying.
In the 50s-70s kids identified with car culture. In the 80s-90s kids identified and differentiated thru music. I can’t even tell you what kids do now, I’m not at an age, or profession, to be interested in that knowledge. Teens rebel. They’re smart enough to start shouldering some responsibility but society keeps them from utilizing their agency. Social media gives them some of that agency back, even if it is for dumb shit like eating tidepods. Some kids HAVE to touch the stove. Some kids learn by jumping in the deep end (right here, I did that). Theyre in the process of discovery. There’s always been clicks, it’s part of how we figure out who and what we are.
Beyond that, going to, or worse, NEEDING (GASP!) therapy IS shamed, even if you aren’t doing it.
Not just shamed for some, but detrimental, to most men’s careers.
Any high stress job, surgeon, police, law, there goes your chances of advancement.
Because for some reason accepting the fact that people don’t have all the necessary tools to process every situation in life is seen as some kind of failing, even tho entire fields of study are dedicated to it.
Getting therapy should be seen as nothing more than going to an expert, because you are smart enough to know you aren’t. Which makes it the smarter, more rational decision. People are complicated and obtuse. And language, while pretty amazing at some stuff really falls flat for most everything internal. It takes specialization. People dedicate their lives to JUST that. That entire train of thought needs normalization, universal promotion, and access commodified, as well as made mandatory for said, and unsaid, high stress professions.
Going to therapy doesn’t mean you have a disorder.
I’m aware. That was the point of me pointing out that you’d have to assume all 53% had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. It’s incredibly unrealistic. And yet 60% have a disorder? There is absolutely self-diagnosis happening.
Oh, not this bullshit again…
If we know somewhat what a healthy human should behave like or think like, not discounting individual’s uniqueness, then any deviation that causes difficulty in life would be a disorder. Simply to ruin the whole species it doesn’t make it orderly.
Could not put it in a better way although it doesn’t have to prevent success, it could also hamper it strongly making it way harder than it should be.
You interpreted the word “prevent” more strictly than I meant it I think, but you’re not wrong.
Quite possible, yeah
I know, who tf are these people?! They’re like aliens to me lol