The research is clear: Gen Z reports the highest stress levels of any generation (6.1/10). Anxiety disorders among 18-25 year olds have increased 60-84% in just one decade. But is social media really the primary culprit?

In this episode, psychiatric nurse practitioners James Kennedy and Jon Murphy break down Developmental Reinforcement Theory (DRT) to explain what's really driving the mental health crisis among young adults. They explore how digital connection has replaced essential nervous system co-regulation during crucial developmental years, creating a generation suffering from "junk food social connection."

Topics include:

• How constant connectivity has transformed bullying from a school-only problem to an inescapable presence
• Why therapy often feels uncomfortable when it's actually working
• The neurobiological necessity of human connection during adolescent development
• Practical strategies for parents to help teens develop healthier digital habits
• The concerning impact of early pornography exposure on developing brains

Whether you're a mental health professional, parent, or concerned citizen, this episode offers evidence-based insights into what Gen Z is truly facing and practical approaches that actually help.

Keywords: Gen Z mental health, anxiety disorders, social media impact, developmental reinforcement theory, DRT, nervous system regulation, therapy expectations, digital detox, adolescent development, pornography exposure, co-regulation

James Kennedy is a psychiatric nurse practitioner and CEO of modern-mentality.com, a psychiatry practice serving New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Jonathan Murphy is the founder of myfocuspath.com and author of "CHEAT CODES: How I Hacked My ADHD Brain (AND YOU CAN TOO!)" - now available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/CHEAT-CODES-Hacked-Brain-Transformation-ebook/dp/B0FMJLQKBW/

For more insights, visit the Focus Path Insights blog at myfocuspath.blog and subscribe to the Compass Point Institute YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@compasspointinstitute