Lack of companionship. Being overworked and underpaid. Failure to meet expectations set forth by parents and earlier generations. There are any number of reasons why the Millennial generation is more depressed than any other generation. This generation has seen a 47% increase in depression, making depression the #1 health condition affecting people aged 23-38 (as of 2019).
The symptoms of major depression can be summarized as such: a severe and persistent low mood, accompanied by profound sadness or a sense of despair. The rise of depression amongst Millennials should not come as a surprise. The average Millennial carries an average of more than $34,000 in student loan debt, faces a housing market where homes are almost 40% more expensive than they were just a few decades ago, and healthcare costs are significantly more expensive than they were in generations past. It’s no wonder why the outlook is bleak for the Millennial generation.
With the cost of education, housing and healthcare on the perpetual rise, Millennials are financially way behind previous generations. Saving money is nearly impossible, and while only about 31% of Millennials anticipate that they’ll own a home, most say that haven’t started saving yet. Missing the mark on these “adult milestones” has taken a toll on this generation, and has jeopardized their mental health with many studies showing clear links between financial struggles and depression.
Above and beyond the financial woes that burden most Millennials, many of them also find themselves burnt out and lonely. Rising workloads and the expectation that employees will work longer hours—with less support—has contributed to Millennial burnout. Millennials also marry later on in life, and are less connected to social networks, such as political or religious organizations. 25% of Millennials admit that they have no acquaintances, 22% say they have no friends, and 30% don’t have a best friend.
However, the silver lining to the depression epidemic roaring through the Millennials generation is that this generation is most likely to seek treatment for depression, through therapy or medication. This is the first generation to approach therapy without the stigma that has for so long been attached to the practice.
For those who do not respond to traditional depression treatments—talk therapy or antidepressants—there are new and highly-effective treatments available…treatments that were not available to older generations. Ketamine infusions, and the recently FDA-approved Spravato™ nasal spray, have changed the way we understand and treat depression. Ketamine is 70% effective for treating the symptoms of depression, compared to about 40% for antidepressant medications. Furthermore, ketamine works rapidly…delivering results within 1-2 infusions, rather than after several weeks or months.
Ketamine treatment centers, like our Chicagoland ketamine clinic, have treated thousands of patients—even those suffering from severe, treatment-resistant strains of depression—with great success. If you are suffering, consider exploring ketamine infusions as a depression treatment options. They could change or save your life!
Contact Renew Ketamine & Wellness Center
Request a free consultation at our Chicagoland ketamine clinic and wellness center and find out if you or a loved one is a good candidate for ketamine infusions. Ketamine is highly effective for the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, chronic pain conditions, and more. Our clinic can help answer questions, and reset your mind and body.