Emerging Adulthood
One focus in my practice is on helping young people from late adolescence to young adulthood by providing support and guidance in managing the mental health issues and circumstances unique to this phase in life. We are seeing a generation of stressed out and overwhelmed young people who are now more than ever reporting feeling anxious and depressed. Their path to adulthood is different than that of any generation that preceded them, and they are encountering distinctive challenges and situations never experienced by their parents.
For many, what could be a time of positive transition and self-discovery has become one wrought with pressure, stress, overwhelm and worry, all of which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Together with the residual effects of the pandemic, this has led to a mental health crisis for this cohort. Coping with these mental health challenges has made it harder for young people ages 16 to 30 to reach the milestones of early adulthood, and for those who do reach these milestones, it is often the case that their health and wellbeing may have been compromised in the process.
Below, you will find a list of concerns that are commonly faced during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Depending on the individual, these issues could occur at different times or in a different sequence. Yet, what is most important is that you see you are not alone in what you are experiencing and that the issues you are facing are not uncommon.
High School Older Adolescents
(ages 16-19)
ACADEMIC:
★ Pressure to excel academically
★ Coping with learning and attentional issues
★ Managing academics with your social life and sports or other commitments
★ Difficulty engaging or concentrating in school due to emotional problems
★ The negative impact of technology and digital devices on the learning process
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS:
★ Is college right for me?
★ Managing the overwhelming demands of the college application process
★ Coping with feelings of vulnerability and self-doubt
★ Worrying that future success depends on which university you attend
★ Pressure to perform exceptionally on the ACT/SAT
★ The need to create a “resume” of accomplishments and to stand out from your peers
★ Worries about being rejected from the schools you’ve applied to
SOCIAL:
★ A strong need to feel accepted and liked by peers
★ Worry about fitting in and forming a social identity
★ Feelings of being lonely and disconnected
★ Insecurity or delay in the development of social skills
★ Worry about physical appearance and attractiveness
★ Pressures of social media and FOMO
★ Gender identity
★ Sexuality
★ Dating
★ Alcohol and drugs
★ Concerns about gun violence, instability in the economy, and political strife
FAMILY ISSUES :
★ Unhealthy relationship dynamics in the family
★ Balancing the need for independence with being reliant on parents
★ Helicopter parenting
★ Fears of disappointing parents
★ Worries about not measuring up to siblings
★ Trauma, abuse, or addiction in the family system
The College Years
(ages 18-23)
★ Acclimating to living away from home
★ Individuation – who am I and who do I want to be?
★ Feeling alone and without support
★ Navigating the freedoms associated with college living
★ Learning to perform academically in a college setting
★ Choosing what to study and how it will impact your future
★ Time management and organization
★ Balancing social life with academic expectations
★ Roommates and dorm life
★ Social anxiety
★ Fraternity or Sorority life
★ Negative self-evaluation in comparison to others
★ Forming friendships and intimate relationships
★ Gender/Identity issues and figuring out how you identify
★ Staying safe on campus and with other students
★ Coping with past traumas
Young Adulthood
(ages 23-30)
★ Developing autonomy and confidence as an adult
★ Coping with fewer job opportunities and a rising cost of living
★ Engaging in decision making that you may not feel equipped to handle
★ Achieving adult milestones of independence
★ Feelings of self-doubt and fear of failure
★ Coping with disappointments or unanticipated challenges
★ Feeling isolated and seeking a sense of community
★ Navigating the road to financial autonomy
★ Forming friendships and social connections
★ Learning how to be successful in the workplace
★ Exploration of sexual identity and navigating intimate relationships
