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how does the effects of music on the brain connect to music therapy?

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how does the effects of music on the brain connect to music therapy?

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research abt how music activates diff brain regions, how it influences mood, compares to art therapy

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music is the combination of audio frequencies and intricate patterns that play in your ear. when we come in contact with the sound waves, the brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine (chemical responsible for making you feel good). music is able to create a state of arousal. (Pupils dilate, bp increases, brain fires in auditory, movement and emotional regions)

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PhD Sonara Carter-Barber talks about the healing of music. From all ages, music helps in various ways. Babies listen to lullabies, strong beats help stimulate thinking, slow tempos promote calmness, and more. She shares her experience with how music has helped her get through life to enjoy and cope.

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by Sonara Carter-Barber, PhD
Windows Facilitator & Consultant in Music as Medicine
Monrovia, California

For thousands of years, music has been used for healing, both informally and in medical contexts. Mothers sing their colicky babies to sleep with music; we attend concerts and other musical events for pure enjoyment; and people who are stressed turn to their favorite songs for relaxation.

Music is the place I can go to when the world is caving in on me. It is the place that I can escape to when I do not have the answers.

Music helped me through many rough patches, so it was natural for me to focus on music as a tool for healing. I cannot imagine a wedding, funeral, festival, mixer, or a church service without music. I have witnessed music help individuals bounce back after experiencing losing their homes, family members, and churches.

B.B. King said, "even in your darkest moments, the music is a rope to grab onto, something to pull you through." This quote reinforced that whatever I experienced, music was a resource for me.

It felt like my world had come to an end when I lost my mother in 2019. I did not know how to navigate through life without her. Music played a huge role in my loss:

It provided a safe space to feel the emotions of my loss

It gave me a way to express my big emotions

It calmed my body and mind

It helped me to honor the memory of my mother

Music is the place I can go to when the world is caving in on me. It is the place that I can escape to when I do not have the answers. During the pandemic, music was the safe space I visited daily. The term safe space refers to places "intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations." ()

My musical preference was according to my mood and what was going on that day. There were days when I felt determined. On those days, the lyrics from the song "I Will Survive" spoke to me. There were times when I felt defeated. The McFadden & Whitehead song, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" picked me up. The following lyrics were the most powerful:
And if you've ever been held down before
I know you'll refuse to be held down anymore!
Don't you let nothing, nothing
Stand in your way!
The most impactful art workshop I participated in at the AWBW Facilitator Training was Creating a Safe/Brave Place. In the workshop, I created my RARE JEWEL colorful artwork that speaks to the different genres of music which allow my safe space to occur. The creative process allowed me to be vulnerable and safe at the same time. The colors in my art represent different emotions I have experienced, from my challenges to my successes. It helped me embrace the little girl inside me, the one who was hurt, let her cry and know that it is okay to do so. I was able to look at the full experience of my life. The RARE JEWELS represent who I am.

Ever since that experience, I make little dots of color to process how I am feeling on any given day. When I feel sick, that is a blue dot day. When it is a bright sunshiny day, I make a yellow dot. It gives me a safe way to express myself, and to remind me that it is okay to feel how I feel.

Now I think of art in a different way. Art helps me to remove the shackles and barriers that made me feel insufficient and insecure. Art helps me to face challenges and feel comfortable in my safe zone.

Music has helped me become my personal best - it has helped me to:

Improve my quality of life

Increase my productivity

Address losses and failures

Regulate my emotions (especially during challenging times)

Give voice to situations

Re-discover my joy

Life can sideswipe us. We go about our day, and something stops us in our tracks, like the mass shootings that took place in January 2023. The shooting on Chinese New Year paralyzed me with pain. Sitting still and listening to meditation music helped me rediscover joy during community loss. Music helped calm my feelings of anxiety. It provided a musical massage for my heart and mind. This allowed me to address the failures of society - failing to love each other and connect to a sense of hope.

Then I got knocked down by the killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. The way his life was taken was painful and heartbreaking. I listened to the song "Healing" by Kelly Price to process my pain. The lyrics gave voice to this situation. It brought me through it. It helped to soothe my soul. I did not have to smoke, go retail shopping or drink - music rescued me and soothed my mind and soul. I have a playlist of music in my mind I can call upon to soothe me in this unpredictable world.

Research supports the power of music:

"Music with a strong beat can stimulate brain waves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm, meditative state." ()

"Music can also play a role in helping individuals and communities to cope with trauma, whether it be through the intervention of music therapists, community music making programs or individual music listening." ()

"Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory" ()

"Music therapy is beneficial for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma, and schizophrenia. Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief, but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety or mood dysregulation." ()

Music and all forms of artistic expression are universal languages that permeate our lives and wallpapers our consciousness. There is no doubt music is my safe place time and time again. I am a cheerleader for making art and listening to music to create safe places. It is a great way to manage your mind, mood, and emotions. Music and creative expression allowed me to move forward with a smile.

by Sonara Carter-Barber, PhD
Windows Facilitator & Consultant in Music as Medicine
Monrovia, California

When you think of safety, what comes to mind? You are invited to think about a place, real or imaginary, where you can go to feel safe and/or brave.

Download AWBW's Creating a Safe/Brave Space PDF

Want to bring healing art programming to your community?

Attend a Training
A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) supports hundreds of direct service organizations across the country to incorporate creative expression into their work with trauma survivors. With this blog we uplift the voices of our art workshop facilitators and participants. We invite you to take in this perspective, notice what resonates and explore how it may fit into your life.

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Music is the place I can go to when the world is caving in on me. It is the place that I can escape to when I do not have the answers.

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concerts and musical events producing pure enjoyment

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phobias stem from trauma. treating trauma is the cure to help overcome phobias. at a young age, children's mind tends to avoid any reminders from the traumatic event later leading to adult phobias or increased fears.

"Unresolved trauma can exacerbate existing phobias or trigger new ones" (khiron clinic)

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The link between phobias and trauma in children is a complex interplay of psychological factors. Traumatic experiences, such as accidents, violence, or natural disasters, can imprint deeply on a child's psyche, leading to persistent fears and anxieties.

These traumas may manifest as specific phobias, such as fear of heights, animals, or enclosed spaces, as the child's mind seeks to avoid reminders of the traumatic event. Additionally, unresolved trauma can exacerbate existing phobias or trigger new ones. Understanding and addressing the underlying trauma is essential in treating childhood phobias effectively, helping children regain a sense of safety and control over their lives.

What Are Phobias In Children?

A phobia is an exaggerated fear of a specific object or situation persisting for at least six months, categorized as an anxiety disorder. Various types of phobias include:

Specific phobia

Children experience intense anxiety when faced with particular objects or scenarios, often avoiding them or enduring them with overwhelming fear, hindering normal activities. Common examples include animals, getting sick, insects, blood, having a parent, sibling, or pet get sick or hurt, heights, injections, and flying.

Panic disorder

Characterised by sudden, unpredictable episodes of intense fear or discomfort, often accompanied by panic attacks featuring symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, shaking, and a racing heartbeat, with effects lasting hours but typically peaking within ten minutes.

Separation anxiety disorder

Separation anxiety involves the fear of being from a primary attachment figure such as a parent or guardian. It can profoundly disrupt daily functioning, stopping children from fully engaging in social activities and delaying milestones such as attending nursery and school.

Selective mutism

Experts recognise selective mutism as a fear, akin to a phobia, of speaking to people. While its exact cause isn't always clear, it's commonly linked to anxiety, and children with selective mutism often also exhibit a predisposition to anxiety.

What Are Common Causes of Phobias In Children?

Common causes of phobias in children can vary, but they often include:

Genetics: Children may inherit a predisposition to anxiety disorders, including phobias, from their parents or family members.

Learned behaviour: Children may learn to fear certain objects or situations through observation or experiencing others' reactions to them.

Overprotective parenting: Overprotective or anxious parenting styles can inadvertently reinforce a child's fears and contribute to the development of phobias, such as separation anxiety.

Environmental factors: Growing up in an environment with high levels of stress, instability, or trauma can increase the likelihood of developing phobias.

Traumatic experiences: Frightening or distressing events, such as accidents, injuries, natural disasters, or witnessing violence, can trigger the development of specific phobias.

Events like injuries, burns, animal attacks, and natural disasters, known as non-interpersonal potentially traumatic events, don't involve deliberate harm from others. In older children, these events can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is The Knock-On Effect on Mental Health and Development?

Phobias and trauma create a constant state of heightened anxiety and stress in children. The fear of encountering triggering situations or objects can be overwhelming, leading to persistent feelings of nervousness, tension, and worry.

This chronic stress can dysregulate the child's stress response system, making them more susceptible to anxiety-related disorders and physical health problems over time. Other long-term effects of phobias include:

Social Isolation

Children with phobias or trauma-related fears often withdraw from social interactions to avoid potential triggers. They may feel safer and more in control when alone, but this isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and impair social skills development.

Over time, social withdrawal can lead to a cycle of avoidance and further isolation, hindering healthy social and emotional development.

Impact on Relationships

Phobias and trauma can strain relationships with family members, friends, and peers. Children may struggle to explain their fears to others, leading to misunderstandings or frustration from loved ones. Additionally, their avoidance behaviours or emotional dysregulation can create barriers to forming and maintaining meaningful connections, further isolating them from supportive relationships.

Academic Performance

The emotional distress and cognitive preoccupation associated with phobias and trauma can impair a child's ability to concentrate, retain information, and participate actively in school. This can lead to missed opportunities for learning and development.

Physical Health

Chronic stress and anxiety resulting from phobias and trauma can take a toll on the child's physical health. The body's stress response system can manifest in various physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Over time, these physical manifestations of stress can contribute to the development of chronic health conditions and compromise overall well-being.

Developmental Milestones

Phobias and trauma can impede the attainment of important developmental milestones. Children may struggle to develop independence, emotional regulation skills, and social competence due to their avoidance behaviours and anxiety symptoms. This can delay progress in key areas of development and impact their overall growth and maturation.

Risk of Additional Mental Health Issues

Untreated phobias and trauma increase the risk of developing comorbid mental health disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. The chronic stress and emotional dysregulation associated with phobias and trauma can create a vulnerability to other mental health issues, compounding the child's difficulties and complicating treatment efforts.

Addressing phobias and trauma early on is essential for preventing long-term negative outcomes and promoting resilience and well-being across the lifespan.

Treating Phobias in Children

Diagnosing phobias involves understanding the underlying triggers, which may stem from past traumas. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) remains a popular treatment for phobias, and for some children and young adults, it may show promise.

However, CBT assumes that changing a thought will change behavioural response. In the case of phobias stemming from trauma, this strategy is unlikely to work, as it does not recognise the dysregulation that is causing the adaptive response - in other words, the phobia. Research shows that dysregulation of emotions is a core problem in various phobias, meaning treatment must offer some form of psychoeducation and strategies for nervous system regulation.

Sources:

Briggs-Gowan MJ, Carter AS, Clark R, Augustyn M, McCarthy KJ, Ford JD. Exposure to potentially traumatic events in early childhood: differential links to emergent psychopathology. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;51(10):1132-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02256.x. Epub 2010 Aug 19. PMID: 20840502; PMCID: PMC3106304.

Zsido, A.N., Lang, A., Labadi, B. et al. Phobia-specific patterns of cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Sci Rep 13, 6105 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33395-6

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The Link Between Phobias and Trauma in Children

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The link between phobias and trauma in children is a complex interplay of psychological factors that we explore in this article.

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in what ways does childhood trauma influence the development of resilience and the ability to confront phobias in adulthood?

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in what ways does childhood trauma influence the development of resilience and the ability to confront phobias in adulthood?

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a good example of existing music therapy is the well-being concerts hosted by Carnegie Hall. they recognized the increasing number of people who deal with depression/anxiety and get no help. they wanted to "bring the transmissive power of music to the widest possible audience".

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The link between art and music therapy to traumatized individuals. Art therapy helps you express yourself and a way to put your feelings into pieces of work. Music helps alleviate pain, promote wellness, and make you feel good. It has the same effects on the brain as lavender and chamomile do. A special story was mentioned of a man who was put in jail because of murder. He said he would draw to help deal with trauma.

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Music and art are increasingly being used as tools for therapy for high school students who have faced trauma - from sexual abuse to homelessness - and have been proven to help students cope, both physically and psychologically.

Studies have shown that participating in music and art can alleviate pain, help people manage stress, promote wellness, enhance memory, improve communications, aide physical rehabilitation, and give people a way to express their feelings.

"We have a lot of kids who come from really traumatic backgrounds... and some days it's just trying to keep them from fighting one another," said Katie Meyers, a clinician at Levine School of Music and an associate professor at Howard University in Washington. "The really cool thing about music therapy, for me, is that students relate to music and enjoy music. I've seen that keep really dangerous things from happening or escalating."

Music therapy seems to work very well with those suffering from mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. It's often used in therapy with patients on the autism spectrum, and in physical rehabilitation for people who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson or Alzheimer's.

Music has the same effect on the brain as the smell of lavender and chamomile, which produce "feel-good" chemicals like dopamine. A 2011 study conducted by researchers from McGill University in Montreal found that music plays a significant role in causing a good mood. It showed that dopamine levels were 9% higher in participants who had listened to music they enjoyed.

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"There's a lot of research that shows the relationship between music and its ability to alter moods," said Meyers.

But spending in public schools on arts and music education has been flat for a decade, particularly in low-income schools. In fact, 40% of secondary public schools didn't require the study of arts or music for graduation in the 2009-10 school year, according to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the Department of Education.

What makes things worse is the "equity gap." Within the school system there are "high-poverty" and "low-poverty" schools, the study found. Higher poverty schools have even less funding than the low poverty - or wealthier - schools.

"I definitely think there's a stigma against therapy," Baltimore high school art teacher Kristen Yoder says of the African American community her students come from. " Trauma becomes normalized, especially these tremendous traumas and there's not always a recognition of a need to process it."

Students will say, "'I'm not crazy and I don't need therapy,'" she says.

Art is "a special way for the kids to get some of the release," says Yoder who teaches at Renaissance Academy. "The more tools you give kids to express themselves, the more equipped they'll be to handle stuff their way."

How Music, Art Helps

Larry Owens of Baltimore was recently released from prison after 40 years for murder. But while in prison, he learned the importance of the arts for helping cope with trauma. Shy and reserved, he discovered a talent he never knew he had: drawing and painting.

Art "kept me away from people I didn't like," he said. "My mouth can say things real nasty when I get tired of someone, but when I'm drawing, threaten me all you want."

"That's all I did all day long. Out in the yard. In the art room. Or drawing in my cell."
More: Music and art is a natural medicine to the 'mind and soul' of teen Teen suicide is soaring. Do spotty mental health and addiction treatment share blame? Domestic violence 'code of silence' contributes to prevalence across races, classes
Owens didn't even know he could draw until the sudden death of Motown singer Tammi Terrell in 1970. Distraught, he began to draw the beautiful young singer and has been drawing ever since.

Owens' childhood friend, Donald Shakir, was convicted of murder at the same time as Owens and found his peace in prison through Motown too. But he used a singing voice so beautiful it's hard to imagine cellmates were ever bothered by it. But there were plenty who demanded he stop.

The songs that soothed him brought back too many painful memories for others who would demand he stop singing.

Shakir believes everyone who came out of prison needs therapy, including him. He'll sing as he walks all over Baltimore and while he walks around the Patapsco flea market where Owens sells his artwork on the weekends.

"We brought too much excess baggage out of prison to say we don't need it," says Shakir.

Owens, on the hand, prefers simply art to therapy.

A therapist, he says, "can not tell me what I'm thinking and feeling inside."

The Levine school has five people who are certified in music therapy, and the focus is on using music to help traumatized students. A certified music therapist is like an occupational or physical therapist: They are trained to use music to help people get better, says Rhonda Buckley, the school's head of campuses and strategic development. Students play instruments, write songs, play instruments together or just listen to and discuss music in more formal music therapy sessions.

Buckley, a saxophonist who founded a Washington arts center for disadvantaged children in 2000, sees music as a good way for people of all ages to cope with trauma and stress. Creative outlets are about "focus" and concentrating on arts shifts a person's thinking away from the trauma they experienced.

"Music can address the issues we face with homelessness, abuses," she said.

But just listening to music or playing it helps, she said. You don't need a certified therapist.
Reginal Payne and Marquart Doty are fellows in the Urban Health Media Project, which O'Donnell co-founded.

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Whether it's art and music therapy or art and music as therapy, it calms traumatized teens

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Music and art are increasingly being used as tools for therapy for high school students who have faced trauma - from sexual abuse to homelessness.

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childhood trauma- long term effects of fear

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childhood trauma- long term effects of fear

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a child's mind compared to an adult's mind is more malleable, meaning its "virtually nonexistent" and is easily shaped by its experiences growing up. when a child experiences trauma, the brain's physical structure is alternated. as your brain gets more stable, the traumatic events stick with you until it is overcome.

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Negative childhood experiences can set our brains to constantly feel danger and fear says psychiatrist and traumatic stress expert Bessel van der Kolk. He's the author of the recently published book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.

A report by the University of San Diego School of Law found that about 686,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect in 2013. Traumatic childhood events can lead to mental health and behavioral problems later in life, explains psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, author of the recently published book, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.
Related: How two professors are helping children cope with violence
Children's brains are literally shaped by traumatic experiences, which can lead to problems with anger, addiction, and even criminal activity in adulthood, says van derKolk. Side Effects contributing producer Barbara Lewis spoke with him about his book.

Barbara Lewis: Can psychologically traumatic events change the physical structure of the brain?

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk: Yes, they can change the connections and activations in the brain. They shape the brain.

The human brain is a social organ that is shaped by experience, and that is shaped in order to respond to the experience that you're having. So particularly earlier in life, if you're in a constant state of terror; your brain is shaped to be on alert for danger, and to try to make those terrible feelings go away.

The brain gets very confused. And that leads to problems with excessive anger, excessive shutting down, and doing things like taking drugs to make yourself feel better. These things are almost always the result of having a brain that is set to feel in danger and fear.

As you grow up an get a more stable brain, these early traumatic events can still cause changes that make you hyper-alert to danger, and hypo-alert to the pleasures of everyday life.

BL: So are you saying that a child's brain is much more malleable than an adult brain?

BK: A child's brain is virtually nonexistent. It's being shaped by experience. So yes, it's extremely malleable.

BL: What is the mechanism by which traumatic events change the brain?

BK: The brain is formed by feedback from the environment. It's a profoundly relational part of our body.

In a healthy developmental environment, your brain gets to feel a sense of pleasure, engagement, and exploration. Your brain opens up to learn, to see things, to accumulate information, to form friendships.

But if you're in an orphanage for example, and you're not touched or seen, whole parts of your brain barely develop; and so you become an adult who is out of it, who cannot connect with other people, who cannot feel a sense of self, a sense of pleasure. If you run into nothing but danger and fear, your brain gets stuck on just protecting itself from danger and fear.

BL: Does trauma have a very different effect on children compared to adults?

BK: Yes, because of developmental issues. If you're an adult and life's been good to you, and then something bad happens, that sort of injures a little piece of the whole structure. But toxic stress in childhood from abandonment or chronic violence has pervasive effects on the capacity to pay attention, to learn, to see where other people are coming from, and it really creates havoc with the whole social environment.

And it leads to criminality, and drug addiction, and chronic illness, and people going to prison, and repetition of the trauma on the next generation.

BL: Are there effective solutions to childhood trauma?

BK: It is difficult to deal with but not impossible.

One thing we can do - which is not all that well explored because there hasn't been that much funding for it - is neurofeedback, where you can actually help people to rewire the wiring of their brain structures.

Another method is putting people into safe environments and helping them to create a sense of safety inside themselves. And for that you can go to simple things like holding and rocking.

We just did a study on yoga for people with PTSD. We found that yoga was more effective than any medicine that people have studied up to now. That doesn't mean that yoga cures it, but yoga makes a substantial difference in the right direction.

BL: What is it about yoga that helps?

BK: It's about becoming safe to feel what you feel. When you're traumatized you're afraid of what you're feeling, because your feeling is always terror, or fear or helplessness. I think these body-based techniques help you to feel what's happening in your body, and to breathe into it and not run away from it. So you learn to befriend your experience.

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Childhood Trauma Leads to Brains Wired for Fear

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Negative childhood experiences can set our brains to constantly feel danger and fear says psychiatrist and traumatic stress expert Bessel van der Kolk....

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what factors contribute to Gen Z being more open in discussing their mental health and feelings when compared to previous generations?

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what factors contribute to Gen Z being more open in discussing their mental health and feelings when compared to previous generations?

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more in touch with their feelings

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ever wonder why people are afraid of spiders or heights? experts developed a theory that our mind connects our experiences to fear. phobias don't always form as a result of traumatic events. people with phobias go great lengths to avoid anything that helps trigger the continuous fear. an example can be narrowly surviving a car crash, and the individual developing a fear and tending to avoid being in cars.

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Have you ever wondered why certain people have an intense fear of spiders or heights? While some fears may seem irrational, research suggests that many phobias are actually linked to traumatic experiences. This connection between traumatic events and phobias provides a fascinating insight into how our brains process fear and can help us understand why some fears seem so ingrained and difficult to overcome. So, if you've ever wanted to unravel the mysteries behind phobias, buckle up and delve into the world of trauma-induced fears.

Symptoms

Anxiety, panic attacks, avoidance behaviors

Intensity

Varies from person to person

Duration

Can persist for months or years, unless treated

Impact on daily life

Can interfere with work, relationships, and daily routines

Treatment options

Therapy, medications

Prognosis

Good with proper treatment

Introduction to phobias and their potential connection to trauma

Phobias are extreme and irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. They can significantly impact a person's daily life, causing distress and avoidance behaviors. While the exact causes of phobias are not fully understood, one potential connection that has been explored is their relationship to trauma. This article will delve into the concept of phobias, discuss the potential link between phobias and trauma, and explore possible treatment options for individuals struggling with phobias.

Phobias are classified as anxiety disorders and are characterized by an intense and persistent fear of a specific object or situation. Common phobias include the fear of spiders (arachnophobia), the fear of heights (acrophobia), and the fear of flying (aviophobia). People with phobias often go to great lengths to avoid the object or situation that triggers their fear, which can severely limit their daily activities and quality of life.
Phobias and trauma
While the exact causes of phobias are still not fully understood, there is evidence to suggest that traumatic experiences may play a role in their development. Trauma refers to an event or series of events that are emotionally distressing or disturbing and overwhelm a person's ability to cope. Traumatic experiences can vary widely and may include situations such as accidents, abuse, natural disasters, or witnessing violence.

Some experts believe that phobias can develop as a response to a traumatic event. For example, if someone experiences a traumatic event involving a specific object, such as being bitten by a dog, they may develop a phobia of dogs. The fear response becomes associated with the object or situation that was present during the traumatic event, creating an ongoing fear response even when the individual is not in immediate danger.
Treatment options for phobias
Fortunately, phobias are treatable conditions, and various interventions can help individuals manage and overcome their fears. One commonly used treatment approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the phobia.

Exposure therapy is another effective treatment option for phobias. This approach involves gradually and systematically exposing the individual to their fear in a controlled and supportive environment. By repeatedly confronting the fear, the individual can gradually reduce their anxiety response and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be prescribed in some cases to help manage the symptoms of phobias. However, medication alone is generally not considered a long-term solution and is often used in conjunction with therapy.

Phobias can be debilitating and have a significant impact on a person's daily life. While the exact causes of phobias are still not fully understood, trauma is one potential factor that may contribute to their development. Understanding the potential connection between phobias and trauma can help inform treatment approaches and provide individuals with a pathway to recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with a phobia, reaching out to a mental health professional can be an essential first step towards overcoming fear and improving overall well-being.

Exploring the relationship between traumatic experiences and the development of phobias

Imagine a person who is absolutely petrified of spiders or heights. They might have a rapid heart rate, sweaty palms, and an overwhelming sense of dread when confronted with their fear. Many individuals develop these intense reactions to specific objects or situations, known as phobias. But what causes phobias? Are they simply a product of genetics or learned behaviors? Or could traumatic experiences play a role in their development?

Phobias are defined as an excessive or irrational fear of a specific object, animal, or situation. They are categorized as anxiety disorders and can significantly impact a person's life, often leading to avoidance behaviors and interfering with daily activities. While the exact cause of phobias is not yet fully understood, researchers have identified various factors that may contribute to their development, including traumatic experiences.

Trauma refers to any distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. It can take many forms, such as physical or sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing violence. Traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on a person's mental and emotional well-being, leading to the development of disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or phobias.

One theory proposes that traumatic experiences can act as a catalyst for the development of phobias. When a person witnesses or experiences a traumatic event, their brain goes into a heightened state of arousal, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. This physiological response is adaptive in the short term, enhancing survival instincts and enabling individuals to respond to threats. However, for some individuals, this heightened arousal can become associated with specific objects or situations present during the traumatic event, leading to the development of a phobia.

For example, let's say someone narrowly escapes a car accident. In the aftermath, they might develop an intense fear of driving or being near cars, even if they were not directly involved in the accident. The association between the traumatic event and the specific trigger (in this case, cars) becomes ingrained in the person's mind, leading to a phobic response when confronted with the feared stimulus.

It's important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop a phobia. Factors such as individual susceptibility, genetics, and personality traits also play a role in determining whether a person will develop a phobia after a traumatic experience. Additionally, the severity and duration of the traumatic event can influence the likelihood of developing a phobia.

So, how can traumatic experiences and their potential role in phobia development be addressed? One approach is through trauma-focused therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). These therapies aim to help individuals process and make sense of their traumatic experiences, allowing them to gradually confront and overcome their fears.

In conclusion, while the exact cause of phobias remains a complex topic, there is evidence to suggest that traumatic experiences can contribute to their development. When the brain associates a specific trigger with a traumatic event, a phobia may emerge as a means of protecting oneself from perceived danger. Understanding this relationship and addressing traumatic experiences through therapy can provide individuals with the tools to overcome their phobias and regain control over their lives.

Understanding how phobias may be influenced by both personal and collective trauma

Phobias are irrational fears that can cause significant distress and anxiety in individuals. While the exact causes of phobias are not fully understood, research suggests that they may be influenced by both personal and collective trauma.

Personal trauma refers to a distressing event or experience that an individual has personally encountered. This can include incidents such as accidents, physical or emotional abuse, or witnessing a traumatic event. When someone experiences a traumatic event, it can trigger intense and lasting emotional responses, which may lead to the development of a phobia.

For example, someone who has been in a car accident may develop a phobia of driving or being in a car. The traumatic experience of the accident can lead to a fear response whenever the individual is confronted with similar situations, causing them to avoid driving or being in a car altogether.

Collective trauma, on the other hand, refers to trauma experienced by a group or community. This can include events such as natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or wars. In such cases, the trauma is not only experienced by individuals directly involved but also by those who witness or hear about the event. Collective trauma can have a profound impact on individuals' mental health and may contribute to the development of phobias.

For instance, after a terrorist attack, individuals may develop a fear of public spaces or crowds. The traumatic event affects not only the victims but also the entire community, leading to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety. This fear can then translate into a specific phobia, causing individuals to avoid situations or places associated with the traumatic event.

It is important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will develop a phobia. Different individuals may have different responses to traumatic events, and some may be more prone to developing phobias due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Understanding the connection between trauma and phobias is crucial for effective treatment. Therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help individuals confront their fears in a controlled environment, gradually reducing their anxiety and overcoming their phobias. In some cases, medication may also be prescribed to manage symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks associated with phobias.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a phobia, it is essential to seek professional help. A qualified mental health professional can assess the individual's symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis, and develop a personalized treatment plan.

In conclusion, phobias can be influenced by both personal and collective trauma. Traumatic experiences can lead to intense fear responses and the development of specific phobias. Understanding the relationship between trauma and phobias is crucial for effective treatment and recovery. If you or someone you know is dealing with a phobia, reach out to a mental health professional for help and support.

Examining the role of therapy in addressing phobias and trauma

Phobias can be incredibly debilitating and have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. They cause intense fear and anxiety, leading individuals to avoid certain situations or objects altogether. While it is widely believed that phobias are caused by traumatic events, this is not always the case.

Phobias can be categorized into two types: specific phobias and complex phobias. Specific phobias are typically triggered by a specific object, situation, or animal, such as needles, flying, or spiders. Complex phobias, on the other hand, are more generalized and can cause anxiety in various situations, such as social phobia or agoraphobia.

While traumatic events can indeed trigger the development of a phobia, they are not the sole cause. In fact, research suggests that a combination of genetic, environmental, and learned factors play a role in the development of phobias. Trauma, such as experiencing a dog attack or a severe car accident, can indeed lead to the development of a phobia related to dogs or driving, respectively. However, not everyone who experiences trauma will develop a phobia, indicating that there are other underlying factors involved.

Treating phobias requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes and provides individuals with effective coping strategies. In most cases, therapy is the recommended treatment option for phobias. One of the most commonly used therapies for phobias is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals identify and challenge their irrational thoughts and beliefs about the phobia, gradually exposing them to the feared object or situation in a controlled and safe manner.

Exposure therapy, a subset of CBT, is particularly effective for treating specific phobias. During exposure therapy, individuals are gradually exposed to the feared stimulus while learning coping skills to manage their anxiety. This gradual exposure helps individuals to build resilience and reduce their fear response over time.

For complex phobias, more intensive therapy may be required. This may involve a combination of CBT, psychoeducation, and medication, depending on the severity of the phobia and its impact on the individual's daily life.

Therapy not only helps individuals overcome their phobias but also addresses any underlying trauma that may have contributed to the development of the phobia. Counseling sessions provide a safe space for individuals to explore their fears, process their emotions, and develop effective coping mechanisms. Therapists can also help individuals identify any trauma-related triggers and develop strategies to manage them.

In addition to therapy, other complementary treatments can support the recovery process. Mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, relaxation exercises, and support groups can all provide additional tools and resources for individuals seeking to overcome their phobias.

It is important to note that phobias and trauma can vary in severity and complexity. Therefore, it is crucial for individuals to seek professional help from qualified therapists or psychiatrists who specialize in anxiety and trauma-related disorders. These professionals can provide the necessary guidance and support throughout the recovery process.

In summary, while trauma can contribute to the development of phobias, it is not the sole cause. Various factors, including genetic and environmental influences, play a role in the development of phobias. Therapy, particularly CBT and exposure therapy, is an effective treatment option for phobias. It helps individuals overcome their fears, develop coping strategies, and address any underlying trauma. Seeking professional help from qualified therapists is crucial for individuals seeking to overcome their phobias and improve their quality of life.

Frequently asked questions

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Understanding The Link Between Trauma And Phobias: Exploring The Connection

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Discover the connection between trauma and phobias in this insightful article, exploring how traumatic experiences can lead to the development of intense fears.

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at a young age, when children don't receive enough attention or experience traumatic situations, these events are likely to stick with them throughout their lives. the brain has 3 main systems: reward, threat and memory. during later years, their interactions with their surroundings often reflect what they've experienced as children. in the video, an example of being ignored when little affects social skills and trouble trusting others.

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Childhood Trauma and the Brain | UK Trauma Council

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how different types of urban green spaces affect mental health of populations

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more than 65% of gen z is on social media. social media has negative and positive effects on gen z individuals. gen z is reported the largest generation with anxiety or depression in comparison to previous generations. however, they are also the most prone to seek help from mental health professionals. while social media does play a role in the causations, it also is a platform where many users promote mental health issues and build a community that normalizes speaking on the mental health issue.

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Social media may have its benefits, but it certainly has many disadvantages. Although Gen Z is the generation with higher reported rates of depression and anxiety than previous generations, not all is lost. They are also the generation most likely to seek help from mental health professionals Fortunately, most teens participate in discussions about mental illnesses, which is beneficial in bringing awareness to treatments. Unfortunately, social media plays a significant role in these problems. From cyberbullying to privacy loss to unrealistic beauty standards, social platforms affect how we see ourselves more than we think.

Cyberbullying involves hate comments and harassment happening on the digital medium, and celebrities are often the targets. Online "trolls" believe it is permissible to offend celebrities because they are public figures. But they still have feelings and suffer from these comments as anyone else would. An example is the famous TikToker Charli D'Amelio who has more than 147.4 million followers on the social platform. Charli's sister, Dixie D'Amelio, also received a lot of hate and criticism since she became famous on TikTok.

On an episode of the '2 Chix' podcast , Dixie disclosed how she feels guilty for every opportunity she has and sometimes even for being alive, which shows how cyberbullying has severe consequences and can damage people's lives. Although social media influencers may seem to have a perfect life, they still have feelings as we do, and we need to be careful with what we comment, because our words have real life consequences.

In February 2020, the D'Amelio sisters shared their experiences with online bullying in a YouTube video on UNICEF's channel. In the video, the younger sister explains how receiving hate comments on her body shape has affected her, especially as someone struggling with body dysmorphia and body image . The then 15-year-old said how difficult it was to handle countless hate comments per week and how cyberbullying is harmful for everyone, no matter who they are. After all, these hurtful comments impact the recipient's mental health negatively, whether they are famous or not.

Another influencer who is a mental health awareness advocate is Loren Gray, who has 23.6 million followers on Instagram. Gray shared a video on the platform on Oct. 10, the world mental health day, on the importance of normalizing conversations on mental health, seeking for help and checking on your friends. Even if listening to others does not replace a therapist, it may be helpful to identify the signs that someone needs professional help. As the 20-year-old said, "It's not about what you can do for someone, it's more about how you can listen to someone."

Privacy loss is another concern regarding social media. When celebrities post photos about their children online or when kids and teens post information about themselves, they risk damaging their reputation, having their identity stolen or receiving threats. Everyone needs to be cautious with the information they share online and with whom they share it. For that reason, social networks have privacy settings that allow users to accept or decline who follows them and views their content. Even some social media companies are constantly selling our data to third parties for targeted advertising .

However, some members of Gen Z are not as worried about companies violating their privacy as they are about gaining social media fame and followers. In a survey of 1,500 Americans between the ages of 16 to 24 years old conducted by ExpressVPN and Pollfish, of them were willing to disclose their personal information with social media companies if this granted them fame. But popularity is not perfect and has many dangerous aspects, such as hate comments or stalking. It does not mean no one should have a business profile, but be aware of what you can do to minimize harm and protect your privacy.

Social media is also responsible for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Even if it allows users to express themselves, it grants them permission to post filtered and edited photos online. Kim Kardashian is one of the celebrities accused of over-editing her photos to the point where she does not look like herself anymore. These photoshopped images can impact those who do not feel included in these beauty standards, potentially leading to body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Below are Kim Kardashian's photos accused of being over-edited.

Individuals may develop self-esteem issues and confidence loss because they constantly see influencers with unattainable bodies. The study "Social Media Use and Body Image Disorders: Association between Frequency of Comparing One's Own Physical Appearance to That of People Being Followed on Social Media and Body Dissatisfaction and Drive for Thinness," from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health further discusses it. The authors examine how people's exposure to body comparison on social media negatively affects how they view themselves. The study also showed the association between those who spend more time online with body dissatisfaction.

Our relation to identity links to our digital presence, as Uğur Gündüz's study " The Effect of Social Media on Identity Construct" discusses. Gündüz explains how we develop a digital identity by sharing content and interacting with our peers. Thus, feeling a sense of belonging to a large and diverse community. But only highlighting the positive consequences and ignoring the harmful ones will only postpone the solutions. We should acknowledge how social networks impact how we see ourselves and prioritize our mental health over our online presence.
Support Student Media Hi! I'm Catie Pusateri, A Magazine's editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.

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the impact of social media on gen z's mental health

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Social media is an essential part of our lives. More than 65% of Gen Z use social platforms to communicate, build relationships, shop, get information and check on their friends and family. However, social networks can also negatively impact people's mental health. From 2009 to 2017, depression rates increased by more than 60% among teens...

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“It’s not about what you can do for someone, it’s more about how you can listen to someone.” (Bordin)

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gen z is born into a world not knowing what it would be like without phones or internet. in prior generations, human relationships were limited to proximity and getting in contact with others were hard. most people kept their relationships limited and close. however, gen z had the opportunity to explore across the globe through the use of technology. gen z is more comfortable in sharing their stories online, with the existence of a common-relatable community, self-help apps, and other online embedded programs dedicated to help the cause. gen z has more access to these resources in comparison to previous generations.

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Who are Gen Zers?

Gen Z refers to post-Millennials born between the late '90s and early 2000s. Not knowing a world without smartphones and access to the internet, they are considered to be the most digitally savvy and diversified generation.

Prior to the internet, human relationships and access to culture were limited to proximity; however, post-internet, especially post-pandemic, the scope of exposure to different worldviews has widened significantly. Gen Zers, who were born into a world with social media, have had the opportunity to learn about different cultures across the globe at an early age and have relied on diversity during their identity-formation years.

Global platforms of connection have allowed them to witness the experiences of marginalized communities, which has promoted their ability to think outside the box and be more accepting of differences. Based on the research done at Stanford University, Gen Zers tend to care about authentic, non-hierarchical, diverse, and collaborative social values. They have a pragmatic attitude about climate change, racial unrest, and political polarization.

"I believe that art should challenge societal norms and push boundaries in order to provoke thought and spark conversations." - Timothee Chalamet

Gen Zers' impact on language

Social media changed how people connect and how we learn about one another, sped up the shift in linguistic trends, and created a global youth culture. As chat groups, instant messaging, and video platforms became a dominant form of communication, text talk, consisting of abbreviations, has bled into daily conversation. Gen Zers are also considered the "copy-paste" generation, incorporating recycled phrases from viral videos and memes.

The Baby Boomers were the first generation to embrace increasingly causal linguistic trends, often using words such as cool, man, and dude, even in professional settings; however, as the internet significantly altered the access, speed, and style of communication, Gen Zers adopted various linguistic mannerisms from previously marginalized groups.

As many conversations happen online, within the presumed safety of the environment, call-out culture has become much more prevalent among Gen Zers. Speaking one's mind and being transparent about one's point of view has been easier compared to previous generations whose activism took place during in-person debates and protests, which were more open to physical altercations and legal retrocessions.

Gen Z in the workplace

As a group faced with the crushing economic burden and job insecurity imposed upon them by prior generations, Gen Zers have defensively adopted a more casual perspective around employment while asserting control in finding their way around the professional world.

From the gig economy to becoming influencers, Gen Zers rely on digital social and financial transactions at a greater rate. The digital world, dominating our social and economic lives exponentially, created employment for Gen Zers that involves assisting previous generations in managing these platforms. Jobs include web design, social media consultation, and content creation, allowing for them to make greater demands on flexibility, hybrid work environments, self-guided work schedules, and casual attire.

Gen Zers have also changed the formality of language in the workplace, as instant messaging trends have been blended into daily conversations within professional settings. Slang commonly used in social media platforms has crept into the workplace, with words such as unserious, sus, or basic.

Gen Zers use text talk in their professional exchanges, often incorporating abbreviations such as thnx (thanks) or causalities such as ngl (not gonna lie) and signing off emails with rather than previously used phrases such as sincerely or warmly.

Mental health and Gen Z

Born into a world drenched in economic inequality, climate crises, geopolitical strife, and multiple "once-in-a-lifetime" events, including the pandemic and various recessions, Gen Zers have more unmet social needs than ever. Disrupted access to education, employment, and healthcare have contributed to an unprecedented level of reported hopelessness and fear compared to prior generations.

Gen Zers are more frequently diagnosed with behavioral disorders, addiction, and mental health conditions compared to previous generations. On the positive side, they are more comfortable sharing their stories online, joining mental health forums, and using self-help apps.

According to a study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, between 2009 and 2017, depression rates increased 47 percent among adolescents 12-13 years old, 60 percent among teens 14-17 years old, and 46 percent among young adults 18-21 years old.

A study by the American Psychological Association found that Gen Zers are 27 percent more likely to report anxiety and depression. While they are more likely to exhibit psychological concerns compared to previous generations, they are also more likely to be vocal about their mental health concerns and seek help.

Gen Z is also the first generation to be exposed to potentially harmful content through social and digital media at a young age, such as explicit sexuality, substance use, violence, and self-harm. Social media trends also contribute to the sense of loneliness and isolation, as well as poor body image and eating disorders. Cyberbullying and online harassment are increasingly common as well.

Significant downsides notwithstanding, social and digital media have allowed for transparency in connection with others' stories, including celebrities, influencers, and strangers. It also made clinical service providers, mental health advocates, and thought leaders more accessible. Exposure to discussions about mental health has decreased the stigma, normalizing these conversations, which are seeping into mainstream media and changing the public perception of mental health struggles.

What Gen Zers contribute to future generations

Gen Zers appreciate brands and messaging that stand for something and tackle social issues such as race, diversity, and gender equality. They have influenced how brands incorporate mental well-being, self-care, and inclusivity. Gen Zers tend to prefer brands that feature an array of body and sexuality types, influencing the fashion industry to promote body positivity and feature models on the periphery of previously held beauty standards.

Gen Zers are empathic and know they can make a difference in the world. They connect with brand values and messaging that prioritizes the bigger picture. They stand for interconnectedness, broader perspectives, promoting tolerance, and celebrating differences.

The perspective of every generation is rooted in the conditions of their environment, leading to coping mechanisms unique to the stress of their era. Regardless, change is the only constant and is an adaptive requirement for evolution. What might feel troublesome or insufficient to you today very well may be the norm tomorrow.

"I'm in love with my future. Can't wait to meet her." - Billie Eilish, My Future

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Born into a world drenched in stress, Gen Zers are more likely to exhibit psychological concerns compared to previous generations but are also more open about seeking help.

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through the passing years, guidance counselors started to make an appearance in schools. this is due to the increasing number of students who struggle in life. but even with the counselors there, would students still be willing to share their personal problems with them? counselors share how it is hard because there are too many students in a school for them to effectively assist them. some students don't go to counselors because they don't feel comfortable sharing their experiences. they don't know their counselor and that comes from the basis of trust. but people who do visit their counselors often go because they have no one else to talk to.

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Do students really go to guidance counselors for help?

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Imagine a classroom teacher having to maintain lessons, grades, and personal relationships with a class of more than 50 students. This sounds ridiculous, but, by comparison, this is what school coun

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generational differences in mental health

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generational differences in mental health

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gen z has faced increased stress and issues which leads to increased personal awareness. they realize something is a problem and go seek help. there has been an increased therapy usage in this generation in comparison to others. when being more aware of issues, it leads to acceptance of concerns and more open discussion. prior generations have paved the way for gen z by increasing mental health awareness. in previous generations, it was deemed as unusual to speak about personal concerns. nowadays, discussing mental health was like talking about washing their hair or what they did today.

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Generation Z refers to the generation born roughly between the years 1997 and 2012. They are the first generation to be completely raised with the Internet and smartphones, and have grown up with a very different experience of the world than previous generations.

Specifically, they are interconnected globally with a diverse range of people and largely communicate through technology and social media. This generation of over 60 million people in the United States is slowly starting to face real world challenges like paying for school, finding a job, and managing stress of daily life as an adult.

This raises the question: How is Gen Z handling their mental health compared to previous generations? They have grown up in tumultuous times that have included multiple stressors such as 9/11, school shootings, climate change, and political unrest, but this generation has consistently proven itself to be one that openly speaks about mental health.

Why Is Gen Z Using Therapy More Than Previous Generations?

In a report released by the American Psychiatric Association entitled "Stress in America: Generation Z" in October, 2019, Gen Z were more likely to have received treatment or gone to therapy (37%) compared to Millennials (35%), Gen X'ers (26%), Baby Boomers (22%), and the Silent Generation (15%).

Furthermore, Gen Z were more likely to report their mental health as fair or poor (27%), compared to their older counterpart generations, namely Millennials (15%) and Gen X (13%).

The reason for this trend of increasing use of mental health services and reporting mental health being poor is likely threefold:

Life has introduced a different variety of stressors, leading to increased psychological concerns and more need for services for mental health.

Awareness of mental health issues has grown, so that what once might have been ignored is recognized as a problem and treated as such.

Stigma around using mental health services has lessened, making it more likely that Gen Z will identify their own issues and seek help when they feel they have a mental health problem that can be treated.

Increased Psychological Concerns Among Gen Z

Gen Z has numerous reasons to feel more stressed than previous generations. Ultimately, stress can contribute to psychological concerns such as anxiety and depression. Below are some of the stressors that may be contributing to increased psychological issues among Gen Z.

75% of Gen Z respondents (300 15- to 17-year-olds) reported feeling stress about mass school shootings in the Stress in America survey, conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of APA in July & August, 2018.

In another poll, it was reported that almost half of Gen Z respondents reported being connected online for 10 or more hours a day. More screen time means less time spent connecting with others in person, which could increase feelings of isolation and loneliness. Being ultra-connected could also mean more pressure and expectations with less downtime (e.g., if doing school or work online).

In the APA report, 91% of Gen Z respondents reported experiencing physical or psychological symptoms due to stress. Causes of stress were identified as money/work (64%), debt (33%), housing (31%), and hunger (28%). Of these, only half reported that they were doing enough to manage their stress.

Gen Z may also have increased stress due to world issues such as climate change, political climate, immigration, and fear about the future in general.

Gen Z is the first generation to be exposed to potentially harmful content through social media at a young age (e.g., self-harm videos).

Research from the University College London found that Gen Z was more likely to self-harm, have a poorer body image, skip sleep, be overweight, and have depression.

Gen Z also faces pressure related to social media and technology, including harassment (sexual or otherwise), bullying, and the need to conform.

Awareness: Why Gen Z Is More Open About Their Mental Health

It is also possible that the increased usage of therapy by Gen Z is a result of this generation being more open about their mental health. Being more aware of and accepting of mental health concerns in general will lead to more open discussion about psychological problems and how to manage stress.

What is the reason for Gen Z being more open about their mental health? There are likely multiple reasons. Prior generations may have paved the way for Gen Z's openness through increasing awareness of mental health and public campaigns to reduce stigma.

Social media and the internet have connected Gen Z with other people's stories, be it strangers on the Internet or celebrities and influencers.

All of these factors may have made it easier for Gen Z to talk openly about their mental health struggles compared to previous generations such as Millenials and Gen X (many of their parents' generation). Normalizing conversations about mental health mean that Gen Z has the ability to deal with their issues and move on rather than staying stuck-and that's the choice many of them are making.

This generation doesn't want to be held back by mental health concerns. Rather, they'd like to get treatment for them so that they have good mental health to do the things that they want to do in life. They don't want to be held back by mental health problems, because they have seen that it's possible to feel better and want that for themselves.

Reduced Stigma: Why There Is Less Mental Health Stigma Among Gen Z

Another reason that Gen Z might be receiving treatment more often than previous generations is that there is less stigma around them asking for help.

Unlike Millenials and Gen X'ers, who still belonged to a generation in which talking about mental health problems or asking for help was viewed as unusual or wrong, Gen Z are part of a cohort who doesn't feel that same stigma. This begs the question: why is there less stigma for this generation? Why has the stigma lessened in the era of Gen Z?

Normalizing Mental Health Treatment

Gen Z has grown up in a world where it's normal and considered natural to get treatment for psychological problems. They don't know any different and so they don't attach any bad feelings to speaking about it.

Asking for help for mental health is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness among Gen Z, the same as going to the doctor for a broken bone would be seen as a smart thing to do.

Social Media to Destigmatize

Social media has helped to normalize mental health problems and reduce stigma among this generation through interconnectedness and shared understanding. Gen Z has a feeling of social support through their connections online that previous generations did not have.

Gen Z has grown up in an age where getting help is promoted and normalized (e.g., seeing ads for online therapy on social media). Baby Boomers didn't see the Internet emerge in many cases until their 40's and 50s. Gen X wasn't regularly on the Internet until their late 20's. Some Millenials grew up with the Internet but others did not.

In contrast, Gen Z has grown up with the full spectrum of awareness when it comes to mental health. Rather than being hidden in the shadows, mental health is discussed in the same way that one would talk about brushing their teeth or washing their hair. Social media and the Internet is largely the driving force behind this change in perspective, along with gradually changing views in mainstream media and public perception.

Call Out Culture

Gen Z has grown up in a world where it is the norm for stigma to be called out as unacceptable. This is especially evident in how language has changed (i.e., certain terms referring to mental health have become unacceptable to use because of their negative connotation).

Generations prior to Gen Z were often more limited in what they knew about mental health to what their parents told them, what they learned in school, and what was generally whispered or gossiped about in their personal lives and in popular culture.

What Other Generations Can Learn From Gen Z

What can other generations learn from Gen Z when it comes to being more open about mental health concerns, seeking treatment when it's warranted, and reducing stigma? Below are some takeaways for anyone in an older generation than Gen Z.

Social Media Isn't All Bad

There is a tendency for those from other generations, particularly Gen X and Baby Boomers, to consider the Internet and online world to be a negative distraction for younger generations. However, this perspective doesn't take into account the benefits of being connected to others on a global scale.

Generational Learning

For those who are parents of Gen Z children, the lesson to be learned is that your children are already likely more open and authentic than you when it comes to mental health.

For this reason, it's important to listen to them when they talk to you about their mental health concerns rather than to brush these off or change the subject. Gen Z is used to talking openly about their mental health, and they need their parents to follow suit.

Screen Time Is Connection

Although some from the older generations might equate screen time with isolation and loneliness, Gen Z utilizes screen time to make connections and feel less alone.

Other generations could learn from this in terms of broadening their perspective of what constitutes friendship or connection. Did you have a pen pal growing up? In the digital era, pen pals have moved online. Don't discount the importance of online connections in an increasingly digital world.

No Limitations

Previous generations to Gen Z may have used their mental health or mental illness as a reason for being limited in life.

Other generations could learn that treating mental health isn't showing your weakness; rather, it's building your strength.

Open Communication

Gen Z is used to talking openly about their mental health, and other generations could learn from this. Open communication among families, between parents and kids, and among generations will mean less adults with emotional baggage.

What's more, talking openly about mental health can help to inform the younger generation of what to expect in their own lives. Knowing that a family member has struggled with a particular issue could help them to communicate with doctors about their own risk. Keeping mental health in the shadows helps no one.

Active In Treatment

Finally, Gen Z has taught other generations that being active in your own treatment and recovery is critical for managing stress and moving toward getting what you want out of life. Rather than avoiding the problem, facing it and finding help is the best strategy for managing mental health.

A Word From Verywell

Each generation's perspective is rooted in the environment in which they were raised. Regardless of how much stress Gen Z continually seems to endure, it's true that every generation has had their own type of stress and dealt with it in their own way. Change is necessary to evolve to a better way of living, and this change is inevitable. Regardless of what generation you belong to, keep your eyes and ears open so that you can keep current. What might feel wrong to you today, could be the norm tomorrow. As they say, the only thing constant is that there will be change.

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Why Gen Z Is More Open to Talking About Their Mental Health

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Generation Z refers to the generation born roughly between the years 1997 and 2012. They are the first generation to be completely raised with the Internet and smartphones, and have grown up with a very different experience of the world than previous generations.