Health issues during Pandemic

Blue Cross Blue Shield

A new study from the Blue Cross Blue Shield suggests that millennials may experience health problems as they age.

In her report, published by the "Healthline" website, author Cathy Cassata said that although millennials enjoy government allocation of greater investments in health compared to previous generations, findings from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association indicate that the health of this generation will deteriorate with age.

The following health conditions are defined as the 10 most negatively affecting millennials:

• severe depression;
• substance use disorder;
• Alcohol use disorder.
• Hypertension.
• Hyperactivity.
• psychosis;
• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
• High blood cholesterol.
• Tobacco consumption disorder.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

The author reported that millennials are affected more by behavioral health problems than physical, with sharp increases in rates of major depression and hyperactivity.

She added that the top three health problems affecting millennials include severe depression, substance use disorder, and alcohol abuse.

Adelphi University Professor of Psychology Deborah Serani, author of Living With Depression, says that the emergence of these problems among millennials does not come as a surprise to her, as she believes that the circumstances of the next millennial generation are contributing factors to this matter, and they are :

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Technological progress

The millennial generation is the first generation to grow up without giving importance to direct contact, or realizing the meaning of being proficient in reading other people's facial expressions, or awareness of the importance of emotions, whether for them or for others. "This lack of emotional awareness, or what is known as lexicography, makes it difficult for this generation to understand their own thoughts and feelings," Sirani says

Media boom

Sirani asserts that the internet media boom has created a 24-hour news cycle, allowing millennials to catch up on some scary news. She added, "Stories of terrorism, natural disasters or calamities that have not existed for generations, are now available around the clock."

In addition, the feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and fear that accompany these events dominate the world of millennials, either through witnessing similar stories themselves or through the reactions of adults in their family circle that affect them directly

The Winning

Mindset Instead of learning how to win or lose, Millennials prefer staying in the “safety zone” where everyone gets what they want, Sirani says, hampering the natural learning curve of dealing with failure and gaining resilience. As a result, many millennials struggle to tolerate stressful events, get frustrated easily, and avoid excessive demands to avoid feeling overwhelmed.”

Living in a family with two sources of income

While more fathers and mothers began to work to meet their financial requirements, Sirani says that the millennial generation has witnessed a change that previous generations did not witness and “the lack of time for family time as it was in previous generations, Including dinner time and leisure time on the weekends, it created a solitary world for millennials and trapped them in a bubble of isolation.

Unlimited Work Schedules

Unlimited Work Schedules

While older millennials have the opportunity to work in non-scheduled jobs and are allowed to work remotely, Sirani explains that the downside is working on weekends and days off. As such, this generation does not have time to entertain themselves and get rid of stress, which are factors that increase the risk of physical and psychological diseases.

How can millennials help themselves?

Dr. Vincent Nelson, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Blue Cross Blue Shield, says the best step millennials can take in order to stay healthy is to take preventive measures so that they receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment before the problem escalates and becomes out of control. However, a survey by Blue Cross Blue Shield revealed that a third of millennials do not receive regular primary or preventive care. Furthermore, most millennials only visit the doctor when sick.

In this regard

, Nelson said, "It is not only affecting their health conditions directly but also their health in the long-term, by not seeking preventive care." He stressed the need to consult a primary health care physician, who would treat many disease cases more effectively and at an appropriate cost.

In a related

context, Sirani indicated that the biggest obstacle facing the millennial generation is bearing the costs of psychological treatment, and she also encouraged the practice of self-care, which is considered a learned behavior and does not occur suddenly. "Millennials should focus on integrating self-care skills such as being rational, eating well, sleeping, and exercising not just in the short term, but as a long-term commitment," she said.

Moreover

, Sirani recommends reducing the use of technological devices, reducing working hours, reducing the time spent browsing social media sites, and replacing them with direct communication with others, along with other forms of self-care.

Avery added

that millennials can contribute to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness by prioritizing their mental health and seeking help when they are not feeling well or when they feel stressed and overwhelmed. Avery said that no one is immune from mental illness and substance use disorder, and this generation should be aware of the signs and symptoms of these disorders

The Blue Cross

Blue Shield's study on depression concluded that the condition can take people over nine years of their lives, so it is imperative that appropriate research and resources be dedicated to finding new treatments as more millennials are diagnosed with this condition,” Nelson said. condition and other mental health conditions.

Millennial Generation

On the other hand

, Sirani explained that among the millennial generation who are looking for psychological treatment, there are those who want to get quick treatment and do not show any interest in getting to the roots of the problem they suffer from, unlike previous generations. That's why it's important for mental health therapists to be aware of their mindsets, and try to help them get psychotherapy in a short time, and move on with their lives.