How practice of psychiatry has evolved to deal with changing times, Gen Z and rising mental health issues

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he field of psychiatry has witnessed “substantial changes driven by advancements in technology, a deeper understanding of mental health, and shifts in societal attitudes”, feels Dr Deepak Raheja, senior psychiatrist, past president, Delhi Psychiatric Society director, Hope Care India.

From reaching out via the internet to more privacy and remote access, the profession of psychiatry itself has seen 360-degree change, said Dr Kersi Chavda, consultant psychiatrist, P D Hinduja Hospital, Khar, Mumbai.

These are some of the popular opinions on how the practice of psychiatry has evolved over the last 15-20 years. “Gen Z is extremely comfortable with being online. So, the psychiatrist has no choice but to become adept with telemedicine (following legalities laid down by the government), which has revolutionised the impact that psychiatrists can have on people with mental health illnesses,” said Dr Chavda, who has over 34 years of experience.

What are some of the more common issues now?

Notably, experts suggest that Gen Z faces distinct modern-age problems compared to Gen X, Y, and previous generations. One major issue is digital overload and social media pressure. “Growing up with smartphones and social media, Gen Z experiences constant connectivity, leading to information overload, sleep disturbances, and a lack of downtime,” expressed Dr Raheja.

According to Dr Raheja, dealing with Gen Z patients requires a distinct approach compared to older age groups because Gen Z has grown up in a digitally wired world. “This generation is typically more open about discussing mental health, which is a positive shift, but they often experience high levels of anxiety, stress, and depression,” elaborated Dr Raheja, who noted that he tries to address the impact of his patients’ digital lives on their mental well-being.

“I also use shorter, more frequent check-ins via telepsychiatry to match their preference for immediate and flexible communication. Additionally, I emphasise building resilience and coping strategies to help them navigate the pressures of a highly connected, competitive environment. This tailored approach contrasts with older age groups, who may prefer face-to-face sessions and benefit more from traditional therapeutic methods and a focus on work-life balance, family dynamics, and long-term stress management strategies,” explained Dr Raheja.

Digital addiction leads to issues such as decreased attention spans, sleep disturbances, and diminished real-life social interactions, say experts.

Cyberbullying can also have serious effects on mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts among Gen Z individuals.

Even social media pressure to curate a perfect online persona leads to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and a fear of missing out (FOMO), experts say.

Academic pressure, economic uncertainty, financial insecurity, identity, and diversity – issues such as discrimination, prejudice, and cultural clashes — can also still pose significant challenges.

Mental health awareness has increased (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

So, what’s good

Probably one of the biggest changes has been using technology and apps to deal with mental health issues. “We know that the earlier the person with an illness is identified, the earlier the treatment can be started and the better the outcome. Hence there is an attempt by psychiatrists to spread awareness amongst the youth through social media, aimed at making kids or parents aware of all that can be done, with the judicious use of medication and therapy,” said Dr Chavda.

Another change has been the shift in societal attitudes and awareness, asserted Dr Raheja, who has over 25 years of experience in the field. “The stigma around mental health has decreased significantly. I’ve seen an increase in men seeking therapy for anxiety and depression, something that was less common earlier in my career. One of my male patients, who initially hesitated to discuss his mental health due to societal expectations, found therapy life-changing once he overcame his reservations,” described Dr Raheja.

Considering that there is much more acceptance of ‘different’ issues by Gen Z today like LGBTQ+ issues, psychiatrists also have to be up to date related to aspects like trans, gay, or gender dysphoria, noted Dr Chavda.

Psychiatry has indeed evolved to address the unique needs and challenges faced by patients of different age groups. Experts suggest that patients have now become more aware of emerging psychiatric disorders as well as the new treatment strategies that are coming up with the help of social media as well as the internet.

Earlier, psychiatrists used to prescribe a set pattern of treatment for almost all patients and the technology was minimal. “Now, we have started providing tailor-made treatments to our patients depending on their age, sex, symptoms like the severity of sleep problems, levels of anxiety, socioeconomic status, overall build, and a lot of other factors. We have adopted new methods of psychotherapy as well as counselling with time. It has become more brief and target-oriented,” described Dr Shubhkarman Singh Saini, MD psychiatry, Manjeet Saini Hospital, Jalandhar.

Psychiatrists are also learning (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Gen Zs are more aware of the major psychiatric disorders, are more “open” and are also more vulnerable to it because of peer pressure, social media addiction, pressure to present a perfect image online, increasing competition among the youth, relationship disturbances, career advancement, use of alcohol and illegal substances in the early adolescent age, said Dr Saini.

“Dealing with them is more challenging but also interesting as sitting on the other side of the table, we have a lot to learn from them. To tackle these, telepsychiatry, mental health apps, and online therapy sessions have been developed to provide accessible and convenient ways for the Gen Z to seek help. They now have access to a psychiatrist while they’re at their jobs or sitting at home with the help of online video consultation,” described Dr Saini, who has an experience of more than 24 years.

Some tools that are making a difference

The integration of digital mental health tools, such as mood-tracking apps and online cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) programmes, have “empowered patients to actively engage in their treatment”, said Dr Raheja. “These tools offer valuable real-time data, enabling more precise and personalised interventions,” said Dr Raheja.

Recently, Dr Saini said that his hospital has introduced “a compact, wireless headset” that works on the principle of tDCS (trans-cranial Direct Current Stimulation) which stimulates the part of the brain responsible for treating depression and other neurotic disorders.

“It is super easy to use, can be used by the patient itself, and is cost-friendly. Through that, we are getting excellent results in patients suffering from depression, anxiety, OCD, cigarette smoking and other psychiatric disorders,” said Dr Saini.

Dr Saini explained that social media awareness campaigns have started to address issues like depression, anxiety, OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder, migraine, etc. along with peer support networks and group therapies, something which was negligible around two decades back.

What remains a concern

The negative aspect is the “Dr Google Syndrome”, said Dr Chavda. “Everyone thinks that four hours on Google allows them to become a doctor or argue with doctors,” said Dr Chavda.

The proliferation of information online means that patients often come with preconceived notions or misinformation about their conditions, necessitating careful guidance and education, urged Dr Raheja.

Psychiatrists also have to deal with the issues of social media which Gen Z revels in. “This includes excessive gaming and cyberbullying. These were new issues that were not talked about 15 years ago,” said Dr Chavda.

What’s the takeaway

Despite these challenges, the benefits of a digitally integrated approach are undeniable, psychiatrists urge. “The increased accessibility and convenience of digital tools have made mental health care more inclusive and adaptable to the needs of a connected generation. As a psychiatrist, embracing these technological advancements has allowed me to offer more comprehensive, responsive, and personalised care to my patients, ultimately enhancing their treatment outcomes and overall well-being,” said Dr Raheja.

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