Young Adult Issues
The young adult period is characterized by rapid physiological, sexual, cognitive, and emotional changes. The transition from adolescent to adult becomes apparent as one completes the process of physical maturation and secondary sexual characteristics become fully formed. Many young adults also move into new adult roles, expectations and responsibilities.
Risk Factors for Young Adults
Young adults also have a high risk for suicide. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, suicide is the third leading cause of death in Americans between the ages of 15 and 24.
If you have a history of depression or suicide, please contact us right away, our therapists are here to help!
History of previous suicide attempts
Family history of suicide
History of depression
History of other mental health issues
Alcohol or substance abuse
Stressful life events
Trauma
Incarceration
Because the rapid and numerous changes often characterizing this period may be overwhelming, young people may find the services of a therapist or other qualified mental health professional to be beneficial as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Types of Issues & Therapy Methods
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Societal Expectations of Young Adults
Research suggests that the transition to adulthood now typically takes longer than in previous decades. Greater access to post-secondary education and a wider range of opportunities have greatly increased a person's options, and expectations regarding the steps a person should take after finishing high school or college are not as clear-cut.
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Social Norms
Are a broad set of prescriptions, both explicit and implicit, that dictate behavior in particular situations. They vary from culture to culture and often change over time.
Norms can change based on subculture and setting. For example, desirable behavior among a group of friends is not necessarily desirable behavior in the workplace. When a behavior or practice significantly deviates from a social norm, it may be classified as taboo.
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Young Adults and Mental Health
Many serious mental health conditions can emerge in the late teens and early twenties, further complicating an already difficult period of life. Mental health conditions such as bipolar and schizophrenia, among others, may be diagnosable around this time. Other common issues that young adults are often vulnerable to include substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term form of behavioral treatment. It helps people problem-solve. CBT also reveals the relationship between beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, and the behaviors that follow. Through CBT, people learn that their perceptions directly influence how they respond to specific situations. In other words, a person’s thought process informs their behaviors and actions.
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Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
IPT is a type of therapy that utilizes a uniquely structured model for the treatment of mental health issues. Based on attachment and communication theories, IPT is designed to help people address current concerns and improve interpersonal relationships.
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Family Issues/Therapy
Family therapy or discussions about family relations with your therapist may be a good option for young adults coping with shifting family dynamics, especially when an issue has arisen that affects familial relations.
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