A survey by The Prince’s trust has revealed that political upheaval, job worries and low self-confidence have left young people anxious and daunted with 58% saying political events had made them fear for their futures.
Of the 2,215 people aged between 16 and 25 interviewed a total of 41% said they were more anxious than a year ago, the BBC reported, adding that young people’s self-confidence is at its lowest ebb in the eight years since the research began.
Prince’s Trust head Martina Milburn said it was ‘deeply concerning’ adding that the picture was ‘of a generation who feel their ability to shape their own future is slipping away from them’.
She told the BBC: “It’s shocking how many feel so desperate about their situation and it is vital that we support them to develop the confidence and coping skills they need to support in life. The single most important thing we can do to empower these young people is to help them into a job, an education course or on to a training programme.
“Now, more than ever, we must work together to provide the support and opportunities they need to unlock a brighter future.”
According to the research, carried out in November by YouGov for the Prince’s Trust Macquarie Youth Index, 50% felt it was harder to get a job than a year ago; 42% felt traditional goals like home ownership or a steady job were unrealistic; 34% felt they would have a worse standard of living than their parents and 28% felt out of control of their lives.
Too many of the young people polled are demoralised and pessimistic, says the charity, with 18% believing they would be unable to change their circumstances and 16% saying their lives would amount to nothing, no matter how hard they tried.
Another 12% said they did not know anyone who really cared about them while 45% were stressed about body image and 37% worried about coping at work or school.
Confidence levels were lowest among those who felt out of control, with almost two-thirds of this group blaming lack of self-confidence for holding them back.
Anxiety, stress, lack of self-confidence and self-esteem are becoming more prevalent among young people, agrees the National Council for Hypnotherapy adding that its 1,800 highly qualified therapists across the UK often deal with such issues, and that clinical hypnotherapy has a high success rate in treating these people.
“We live in a society where great demands and responsibilities are placed on us,” says the NCXH. “And while some people manage, more and more people are showing signs of over-anxiety, which leads to stress, which can make a significant impact on the quality of life and well-being.”
The national body adds: “Anxiety can also manifest itself in different worries; it may be fear of being around other people, it may be anxiety in specific social situations, anxiety in your relationships with particular people at home, at school or at work.
“Anxiety is a fear or concern that is exaggerated, and is out of proportion to the situation, although sometimes it may not feel like this. The symptoms of anxiety correlate with the stress response or ‘fight-or-flight’. This is primal response that protects you against threats in your environment, so if danger is present your body triggers a rush of blood to your arms and legs so that you can fight or run away. To experience prolonged flight-or-flight creates feelings of anxiety.”
In treating some one for anxiety or related issues, a hypnotherapist can help assess the anxiety, identifying the root of stress or anxiety whether it is a situation, a physical issue, a past experience or a relationship.
After sessions with a hypnotherapist working towards a commonly agreed goal, the once anxious person may feel more confident; more relaxed in situations that have previously been worrying and many people say that they are calmer and that they have more clarity of thought – able to make decisions more easily.
People who have experienced side effects of anxiety such as insomnia, find that they are sleeping much better and as a result are able to work more effectively.
If you are feeling unduly anxious or stressed about your life, why not contact a hypnotherapist near you by clicking here – life can only better if you do!