In this generation, depression is also included as a terminal illness. (Image via MS Trust)

Not cancer, not cardiovascular, depression strikes the Gen. Z and millennials

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Business & Industry
Medical and Health
Oct 10, 2019
14663
Worrying about the future and pressures from both work and study, Gen Z and millennials are becoming more prone to mental and emotional disorders. Worse than cancer and other physical diseases, mental disorders reign as the most frequent among these generations.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) stated that while the current generations invest more in wellness and healthcare, they face a new threat, which is mental disorders. Ten conditions are affecting Gen Z and millennials. Depression, drug use, and alcoholics are the first three.

1. Major depression
2. Substance use disorder
3. Alcohol use disorder
4. Hypertension
5. Hyperactivity
6. Psychotic conditions
7. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
8. High cholesterol
9. Tobacco use disorder
10. Type 2 diabetes

Comparing millennials with Gen X, the millennials aged 34 – 36 in 2017 were 11% unhealthier than Gen. X aged 34 – 36 in 2014. Some factors are causing the millennials becoming the most affected by mental disorders.

Millennials became the first generation to grow with technological advances; therefore, the communications became more scarcely. No more talks, no more eye contacts, and even worse, no more trying to understand each other.

With the introduction of the internet, news circulation became easier and faster. Millennials can access various news globally. However, it also exposes them to harmful news like war, terrorism, and conflicts. By such circumstances, causing paranoia.

Moving on from media madness, millennials also have to face the hectic company culture. Millennials' parents, both husband and wife, work to make their two ends meet. However, because of that, the concept of a family starts to deteriorate among the millennials.

The tight work schedule somehow creates a “bubble” that separates them. No more family dinner or weekend make the millennials create a solitary world of their own.

For BCBSA, mental disorders within generations are essential to be addressed. They don’t recommend any medication, but self-prevention. By how? Millennials and Gen. Z are expected to be more open about their struggle and their mind.

Source: https://bit.ly/35n5oEk

Medical , Psychology , Depression , Mental , Millennial , Gen.Z