In his book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, author Jonathan Haidt paints a stark picture of the rise of mental health conditions in teens and young adults since 2010, when smartphones began to be ever-present in young people’s lives. Depression and anxiety are the two most prominent mental health issues affecting youth.
The current increase in depressive symptoms among US adolescents is swiftly shifting to an increase in depression among young adults, according to a large-scale study of 18 year-olds conducted between 1990 to 2019 [1]. In fact, between 2017 and 2021 among young adults aged 18-23 years, the prevalence of depression grew by 60% from 2.55% to 4.08%, according to another major study [2]. This is cause for great concern.
Understanding Depression in Young Adults
Depression is a mood disorder that significantly affects young adults. It causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest and affects how you feel, think, and behave. Depression can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems [3].
For young adults aged 17-25, depression is a significant mental health concern and has been increasing in recent years. In an analysis of data from the large-scale US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers identified the following trends [4]
- Young adults aged 18-25 experienced a 63% increase in major depression from 2009 to 2017 (from 8.1% to 13.2%).
- In the same period, there was a 71% increase in young adults experiencing serious psychological distress in the previous 30 days, from 7.7% to 13.1%.
- Suicidal thoughts or suicide-related outcomes among young adults increased by 47% from 2008 to 2017, rising from 7.0% to 10.3%.
- Young people aged 15-24 are more likely to experience mental illness and/or substance use disorders than any other age group.
These trends are not observed in older adult populations, suggesting a generational shift in mood disorders such as depression. The statistics above are pre-pandemic during which these trends worsened.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Young Adults
Recognizing signs and symptoms of depression is important for both young adults and their parents. With this knowledge you can better decide if your young adult is just feeling “low” or “blue”. But if some of these symptoms persist for at least two weeks and significantly impair their functioning, they may have clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder.
Early identification and intervention are key, as approximately 60% of U.S. young adult depressive episodes are attributable to risk factors before age 18 [5].
Emotional Changes
- Persistent sad, empty, or hopeless feelings
- Irritability or anger
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt or low self-esteem
Behavioral changes
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Difficulty with daily self-care tasks
- Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or oversleeping)
- Changes in appetite and weight (increase or decrease)
- Substance abuse of alcohol or drugs
Cognitive symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Memory problems
- Negative or pessimistic thoughts about the future
Physical Symptoms
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Academic or Work-Related Issues
- Poor performance or frequent absences from school or work
- Trouble meeting deadlines or completing tasks
Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Self-harm or suicide attempt
Causes and Risk Factors: Why Are Young Adults Vulnerable?
Young adults are especially vulnerable to having depression for a number of reasons, often the result of multiple factors rather than a single cause. Here are some.
Social Media and Internet Use
In his book, Jonathan Haidt focuses on how the increased use of digital media has changed modes of social interaction enough to affect a rise in mood disorders [6]. Gen Z young adults (born between 1997 and 2012) were the first generation to go through puberty and the sensitive period for cultural learning with smartphones (and the entire Internet) in their hands.
And they became more anxious, lonely, depressed, self-harming, and suicidal. This hit girls more than boys, and especially pre-teen girls, but has serious negative effects on boys as well.
In fact, college age students in the US had a 106% increase in depression between 2010 and 2019, affecting up to 20% of all students surveyed.
Haidt identified four foundational harms of what he calls the new phone-based childhood (as opposed to play-based) that damage young people of all ages:
- Social deprivation: When US teens got smartphones, time with friends in face-to-face settings plummeted immediately, from 122 minutes per day in 2012 down to 67 minutes per day in 2019. And loneliness increased.
- Sleep deprivation: This dramatically increased as young people’s sleep declined in both quantity and quality. The blue screen light shining late at night is detrimental to good sleep hygiene.
- Attention fragmentation: Many adolescents and young adults get hundreds of notifications per day, meaning that they rarely have five or 10 minutes to think without an interruption. This has caused significant issues for schoolwork as young people’s attention is so fragmented they have a harder time concentrating.
- Addiction: The developers of the most successful social media apps used advanced behaviorist techniques to “hook” children into becoming heavy users of their products. And many show classic signs of addiction or withdrawal when they don’t have their phones.
According to Haidt, these powerful factors, when combined, set the stage for the dramatic rise in depression, as well as anxiety, among adolescents and young adults.
Unique Vulnerabilities of Young Adulthood
- Identity formation: Exploring and establishing one’s identity can be a challenging process.
- Increased independence: Managing finances, career, and relationships for the first time can be overwhelming.
- Hormonal changes: Ongoing brain development and hormonal fluctuations can impact mood stability.
Biological Factors
- Genetic causes: Having a family history of depression increases the risk for young adults.
- Brain chemistry: Imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones can contribute to depression.
- Physical health: Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma, can increase the risk of depression.
Psychological Factors
- Personality traits: Low self-esteem, pessimism, and self-criticism are risk factors.
- Cognitive distortions: Learned patterns of negative thinking can contribute to depression.
- Trauma exposure: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, especially during childhood, significantly increases the risk.
Environmental Factors
- Life transitions: Moving on your own, starting college, changing schools and entering the workforce can be stressful.
- Social pressures: Academic stress, relationship challenges, and peer problems can contribute to depression.
- Family Environment: Conflict at home, harsh parenting, or a negative family environment are risk factors.
Social and Cultural Factors
- Bullying: Experiencing bullying at school or online is a significant risk factor,
- Substance abuse: Alcohol and drug misuse can contribute to or exacerbate depression
- Socioeconomic problems: Poverty and financial stress can increase vulnerability to depression
Coping Strategies and Treatment Options for Depression
If you are a parent or a young adult, use some of the following strategies to cope with depression. Recovery from depression is possible with the right combination of professional help and self-care strategies.
Set Norms for Smartphone Use
- While young adults are adults, as a parent, discuss with them about setting limits on their phone use and then see what improvement in depressed mood follows in a few weeks.
Professional Treatment
- Psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) are effective evidence-based treatments.
- Medication: Antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, can be helpful for moderate to severe depression.
- Outpatient programs: Day treatment programs can provide intensive support while allowing young adults to maintain their daily routines.
Physical Well-being
- Regular exercise: Rhythmic activities like walking, swimming, or dancing for 15-30 minutes a day can be very beneficial.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit simple carbs and sugar.
- Regulate your sleep: Stick to regular sleep patterns, avoiding sleep during the day, to improve mood and energy.
- Avoid alcohol or drugs: These can worsen depression symptoms.
Mental and Emotional Strategies
- Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and allow for imperfection
- Practice mindfulness meditation and relaxation techniques: Try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga
- Journaling: Keep a mood diary or practice gratitude journaling
- Express yourself creatively: Engage in activities like painting, writing or listening to music to boost your mood
- Challenge negative thoughts: Question and reframe pessimistic thinking patterns
- Set small, achievable goals: Small wins can add up to restoring a sense of accomplishment
- Engage in activities you enjoy: Even if you don’t feel like it, it can improve your mood
Social Support
- Stay connected: Maintain regular contact with friends and family
- Join support groups: Connect with others who have experienced depression for validation and to share coping strategies
- Engage in social activities: Participate in group exercises or hobbies to combat isolation
Supporting Young Adults In Their Journey to Independence
Engage Young Adult Transitions is a transitional living program and therapeutic community that assists young adults on their path to independence. Using attachment theory, we provide a foundation for forming connections, getting involved with the community, managing mental health, and building life skills for long-term success.
Located just steps from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, we offer access to services seven days a week, including academic support, vocational training and career guidance, life skill coaching, mental health therapies, and recreational activities.
Our community offers high levels of therapeutic support that honors autonomy and independence while guiding young adults to a life of freedom, emotional wellness, and success. Get involved with the Engage Transitions community today!
Sources
[1] Keyes KM, Kreski NT, Patrick ME. Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence and Young Adulthood. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2427748.
[2] Xiang AH, Martinez MP, Chow T, et al. Depression and Anxiety Among US Children and Young Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(10):e2436906.
[3] Depression (major depressive disorder). 2022. Mayo Clinic.
[4] American Psychological Association. 2019. Mental Health Issues Increased Significantly in Young Adults Over Last Decade.
[5] Bruffaerts R, Caywood K, Axinn WG. Early-life risk factors for depression among young adults in the United States general population: Attributable risks and gender differences. J Affect Disord. 2024 Oct 15;363:206-213.
[6] Haidt, J. 2024. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. New York: Penguin Press.