Gen Z is lonely - here's how it shows under anesthesia -Dr. Kaveh LIVE

#loneliness #genz #surgery

Gen Z faces a loneliness epidemic, and it's so real in the body that it shows under anesthesia. Even when you're unconscious, the effects on your mental health are revealed.

Dr. Kaveh video dives into the specific ways that the loneliness epidemic is affecting Generation Z and how this demographic experiences and copes with these issues differently from older generations.

Loneliness is a universal experience, but reports indicate that Gen Z—those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s—are feeling it more intensely than their predecessors. Our video explores the reasons behind this unique generational trend, focusing on significant societal and environmental influences. Notably, we'll examine the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how digital communication, especially social media, has been both a blessing and a curse for Gen Z.

The coping mechanisms Generation Z employs to manage loneliness are diverse, yet not all of them are constructive. We delve into the phenomenon of increased sleep aid use among Gen Z, a concerning response to insomnia often linked to depression and anxiety. This trend, combined with escalating reports of substance use disorder, provides a sobering look at the severity of the loneliness epidemic in this age group.

This video also delves into how loneliness can intensify mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and contribute to the development of substance use disorders. It's critical to understand and address these issues within Gen Z, not just for their immediate wellbeing but also because of the broader implications for public health.

One lesser-known consequence is how these mental health conditions can manifest during anesthesia for surgery and throughout the recovery process. We discuss how loneliness-induced mental health issues can complicate anesthetic management, influence postoperative pain and discomfort, and potentially hinder recovery. This connection further underscores the vital need for early intervention and the holistic care of patients.

Social media's role in this loneliness epidemic is significant, given Gen Z's digital fluency. While it's a valuable tool for maintaining connections, especially during pandemic restrictions, it can also amplify feelings of isolation and loneliness. We address the paradoxical nature of this technology, providing insights into its potential benefits and pitfalls.

With this video, we hope to generate understanding, promote dialogue, and encourage more research into the effects of loneliness on Generation Z's mental health. It's only through acknowledging these issues and working to address them that we can support Gen Z in navigating these challenging times.

Finally, we hope that this video helps everyone, regardless of generation, recognize the signs of loneliness and its associated mental health issues, encouraging more conversations, support, and treatment for those affected. We invite you to watch, share your thoughts, and join us in spreading awareness about this significant issue. Please remember to like, share, and subscribe for more content like this.

This video/speech/channel DOES NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL ADVICE. Patients with medical concerns should contact their physician. If your concern is an emergency, immediately call 911. This information is not a recommendation for ANY THERAPY. Some substances referenced in this content may be illegal, and this content is not a recommendation for, or endorsement of, their use in any way.

[gtorres]

I think it's become glamorous to be depressed and "have" mental health issues. The mental health campaigns pushed (and instant gratification tools like the smart phone) have effectively normalized a lifestyle that's abnormal

[mattyouu]

10 years ago: "I'm trying to get my depression under control"
Now: "It is what it is"

[theoddbox]

Early gen Z here, deleting all the social media off my phone made me realize its not the only problem. I actually see teenagers out being social all the time in neighborhoods that have things like skate parks and basketball courts. I see so many people my age and younger say that they want to go out and have fun but theres nothing to do or theyre scared to just walk around because theyve been told all their lives that theres always someone hiding in a bush just waiting to take them away. People also seem to feel threatened by the sight of teenagers just wandering around their neighborhoods without adults. I think technology is definitely a factor but not in the ways most people seem to think it is, i feel like there has been a culture shift against people just hanging out in public since anybody in public can potentially cause the next big news story

[komabu]

Early genZ here. I'd identify the constant economic pressure as a key reason why everyone of us gets depressed sooner or later. Things like social security, having a family or building a house are just so far away for us. And our future seems to be getting even worse.

[WelfareChrist]

Speaking as someone who grew up with a group of close friends who are marked by profound mental illness, we talk about “having” instead of “dealing with” mental illness because a lot it never does go away. My friends who are schizoid spectrum (2 paranoid 1 schizoaffective) are all basically homeless now. For so many of us it will not only not get better, it will actually get way, way worse. Treatement is often unavailable and even when it is it can be bad or unsuccessful. To this end telling these people it will “heal” is kinda just dismissing their lived experience.

[Human_Organic]

I see this actually as incredibly simple:
People need real, positive, supportive connections with other people in life and this is increasingly not an option.

[Simply_Emu]

As someone who is a Gen Z, and also has a large interest in city planning/design, I think loneliness is heavily tied to how modern cities are built. I noticed things seem to be further away compared to when previous generations were our age. I am in a suburb and would like to have a group of friends, or a community, but everything just seems so far away because there are just miles and miles of houses, and no places for leisure and hanging out. This might not be true for all Gen Zers, but for me I feel like lots of cities are designed first around the automobile instead of around people and fostering communities.

[frozenpine]

I have been screamed at by my peers (I am Gen Z) for saying that my mental health is the best it’s been in years and that I feel great because I’ve found strategies to manage my depression to the point where I hardly notice it. Both times it’s been by folks who say they take mental health very seriously because they have so many conditions that hold their mental health back. I think my generation has almost become obsessed with this idea of being sick and in pain because the moment you escape that you’re suddenly so privileged and ignorant to everyone else’s experiences and that just isn’t true. I grew up poor and for four years I was a drug addict (opioids.) I got sober through lots of hard work, withdrawal pain, relationship trials, and rebuilding my support systems. I had to earn my happiness back and I know what worked for me, unfortunately a lot of young folk are so blinded by pessimism and fear that the idea of getting better almost seems like a personal attack.

[cique]

“The distraction replaces searching for the root cause of the suffering.”

As a Gen Z-er, this is powerful and pertinent. Social media, video games, and drugs like weed, benzos, and opiates are powerful pacifiers - band aids of sort - which have prevented me from actually making necessary changes in my life by way of temporary distraction. I’m sure there many others in my shoes.

[hnek]

honestly I don't understand how anyone _isn't_ depressed right now.

[vincentwise]

I think that depression has become "normalized" because our society has stopped providing roles in which people can feel useful, empowered, and independent. My father barely graduated high school, got a job as a factory worker when he was my age, had 3 kids, supported us and my mom, bought a house, 20 years later he sold it for double and moved into a better house, still has that job, makes 75 k a year. Meanwhile, ive been putting in applications like a maniac to every place i can imagine and never get a call back despite having an impeccable work history. I went to college for 4 years but didnt end up getting my degree because i had to drop out last minute in order to be able to work full time so that i could have somewhere to live. I cant even support myself, let alone my partner. Ot really makes you feel like youre worthless

[artinrohani]

As a 21 year old who’s dealt with depression for 8 years, I can definitely say it’s become too normal. I cope with it by just dealing with it, of course that increases my stress but I don’t have anything else or the time for anything else. But 1 thing I’ve noticed that affects the mind and causes depression to bloom more is the lack of sleep. Sleeping late and getting 6 or less hours of sleep, especially back to back causes depression to have an easier time. Now take the amount of time people was on YouTube/twitch/TikTok and think about how little sun they get. It’s all simple really, but no one even tries to think about anything anymore

[RubyyBugg]

This is so interesting! I am Gen Z (born 2000) and have been under general anaesthesia twice.

The first time was in the middle of doing my university degree and needed to have my appendix out. I was horribly stressed and definitely felt very lonely at the time. I woke up from the surgery screaming and crying. I remember feeling so afraid, and my Mum said it was an incredibly stressful thing to witness.

The second time was once I had finished uni, started seeing a therapist and working on my mental health. I was having my wisdom teeth taken out. I woke up peacefully and fell in love with the nurse who applied vaseline to my lips 😂

[WhiteStripesStripiestFan]

"Suffering is normalized"

This Doctor gets it!

[ericnewport]

As a millennial who grew up abused by my adoptive "mom, " I felt like I was a freak for having so much anxiety and depression. I was diagnosed with PTSD at 17, but I'd had it since I was a young kid. Now, I see that my inner turmoil and sense of alienation and existential angst and agony is NOT rare. It seems nowadays we all can relate to this experience. Our collective future (unless you're in the 1%) has largely been scammed away from us. Of course we're all fucking depressed and anxious. That's just the tip o' the (melting) iceberg!!

[goldfish]

these are the medical videos that should be viral in all social media, not the nurses or doctors making fun of their patients. Your patients are fully blessed to know that you are one of the few who fully and genuinely care about their well-being. I am gen z and it really breaks my heart seeing other folks battling with these mental health issues, just a week ago a bright fellow student with full potential ended himself, it was heartbreaking to hear other passerby who had to walk and see the scene as it occurred in real-time, we will make it through

[sirox]

As a Gen Z I found that people get stuck in their mind(myself included), "A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. So he loses touch with reality, and lives in a world of illusion." - Alan Watts, this quote exemplifies this; My current solution is to "Ignore ones self" in the sense of ignoring existential thoughts and thinking of what is presently available

[alanzilou]

As a member of Gen Z myself, constant nihilism and the worst of humanity being pushed on us by the internet along with online substitutions for real human interactions have definitely made a firestorm of loneliness and apathy

[.cstasy]

i love being in hospitals and doctor’s offices because everyone is always so caring. every time i see a doctor i feel like i actually matter and it’s nice to not feel alone for a moment.

[crisptomato]

I was born in 2004 and I feel like gen z wasn’t as blindsided as millennials were about the world we’ve found ourselves in. They had to adjust to the internet, a pre 9/11 world, a global financial crisis, etc. while we were almost completely raised beside it and sort of knew what to expect. I always thought it was a blessing and a curse that we were born late enough to see the writing on the wall.