Unfortunately, mental health disorders are common. Left untreated, they can lead to serious, life-threatening consequences. Keep reading to learn more about what are the most common mental health issues in young adults, and how you can seek help.
At Confluence Behavioral Health, we offer leading mental health treatment in Vermont. Ready to start your recovery journey? Contact us today to learn more!
3 Most Common Mental Health Issues in Young Adults
Millions of people struggle with mental illness across the United States. And, unfortunately, many don’t know they may be struggling with a mental health disorder and/or do not seek professional support to manage their symptoms.
While there is a wide range of different mental health disorders that someone can struggle with, keep reading below to learn more about the most common mental health issues in young adults:
- Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health disorders, especially among young adults. Anxiety is more than just having a stressful day or two, as stress is a normal part of life.
Anxiety disrupts are persistent feelings of worry that can impact your physical, mental, and psychological health, as well as negatively impact your personal and professional life if left untreated.
It is important to understand that there are different types of anxiety disorders- understanding the anxiety disorder you may be struggling with is important so you can seek the proper diagnosis and treatment. Examples of different anxiety disorders include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder.
We understand it can be difficult to differentiate between everyday stress and anxiety symptoms. Below are some common symptoms to look out for:
- Constant worry
- Overthinking
- Restlessness
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Depression
Depression is more than just having a bad day. Like anxiety, depression is persistent in its symptoms,s spanning several months and even years. Common symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness
- Sense of hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Constantly feeling tired
Left untreated, depression can lead to life-threatening consequences. This is why it is so critical that if you suspect that you or someone you know may be struggling with depression, you seek professional support so you can effectively heal and manage your symptoms so that you can lead a healthier, happier life.
- Substance Use Disorders
Drug addiction is another common mental health issue that impacts many, including young adults. Abusing drugs and alcohol inevitably can hurt your physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life for the worst.
There is a wide range of different addictive substances that a young adult can fall victim to abusing, including substances like:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription medications
- And more
Substance use disorders rob you of your health and quality of life. Abuse of substances can be a slippery slope that can cause many to quickly fall into drug dependency and addiction.
Below are some common signs of drug addiction to look out for if you suspect that you or someone you know may be struggling with a substance use disorder:
- Increased tolerance to abusing drugs
- Engaging in more impulsive, riskier behaviors
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Abusing drugs to cope with untreated mental health issues
- And more
Oftentimes, co-occurring disorders are common. For example, a young adult can struggle with alcohol addiction and depression. That individual may turn to abuse substances like alcohol as a means to cope with untreated mental health symptoms. While not the case in all individuals struggling with addiction, it is important to seek dual diagnosis treatment if you suspect you may be struggling with a co-occurring disorder.
How to Seek Support If You’re Struggling With Mental Illness
Now that you know more about the question “What are the most common mental health issues in young adults”, it is critical to understand different ways in which you can seek support if you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness. You are not alone in treating your mental health disorder!
1. Seek Professional Treatment
Our expert team at Confluence is here to help you every step of the way along your recovery journey so you can receive the quality care you need to better manage your symptoms.
2. Lean on Loved Ones for Support
Consider opening up to trusted loved ones about what you are struggling with so they can help support you in your recovery.
3. Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Practicing healthy lifestyle changes like regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and getting quality sleep each night can go a long way in further supporting your recovery journey.
Help Is Available
Now you know that anxiety, depression, and addiction are some of the most common mental health issues in young adults. Yet, there are also a wide range of other mental health disorders that you can struggle with- this is why it is critical to seek a professional diagnosis if you suspect you may be struggling with a mental illness.
At Confluence Behavioral Health, we offer leading mental health treatment in Vermont. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you lead a healthier, happier life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is anxiety the most common mental health disorder?
Typically, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder. Depression is another common mental illness. If you suspect you may be struggling with anxiety, depression, or another mental illness, it is critical to seek professional support.
When do mental health disorders start?
While there is no set age range when mental health disorders start, typically mental health disorder symptoms may start to develop during the teen to young adult years. This is why if you suspect you or a young adult you know may be struggling with a mental health issue, it is important to seek professional help.
How can I help my friend struggling with mental illness?There are several ways you can support a friend struggling with mental illness, including:
encourage them to seek professional help, listen without judgment, and be there for support. It is important to understand that you are not solely responsible for helping your friend manage their symptoms.