Milestone Anxiety“ is a recently discovered phenomenon among young people of fear of important, decisive moments in life. These are often accompanied by major changes in the lives of those affected, which is why they are faced with great uncertainty and sometimes panic. In this country, the term „Milestone Anxiety“ is remotely comparable to stage fright or exam anxiety. „Milestone Anxiety“ here, however, refers not only to individual exam situations, but to upcoming, major events.
Those who are affected by „Milestone Anxiety“ did not really know much about it until recently, or this phenomenon was completely unknown until recently. Nervousness, malaise as well as depressive moods or even panic can be the first harbingers of „Milestone Anxiety“, which is now categorized as a classic anxiety disorder.
However, not everyone is aware of the presence of this anxiety disorder, which affects more and more young people worldwide. „Milestone Anxiety“ is therefore to be explained once comprehensively in the now following article. In addition to a detailed definition, characteristics, examples and strategies for overcoming it will be presented.
Definition of Milestone Anxiety
The term „Milestone Anxiety“ is composed of the two nouns „milestone“ and „anxiety“. Combined, „milestone anxiety“ can therefore be translated as „fear of big changes“ or „fear of milestones in life“.
This refers to the subconscious uncertainty or even panic before important events in the lives of those affected. People who suffer from „milestone anxiety“ are creatures of habit, so to speak, and feel comfortable in a clearly structured, consistent daily routine. If major changes or important events of a professional, private or social nature occur (i.e. the so-called „milestones“), this can degenerate into stress or even panic for those affected.
The spectrum of this anxiety disorder is wide – from subliminal malaise to manifest panic attacks, „Milestone Anxiety“ can manifest itself in many different ways. Milestone Anxiety“ is often combined with other anxiety disorders.
Origin and meaning of „Milestone Anxiety“
The word „Milestone Anxiety“ is still quite young and was invented only in the course of the last years. The discovery of this phenomenon can be traced back to social science studies of adolescent subjects during the Corona pandemic, who seemed to have less confidence about the future as well as self-awareness about their own possibilities than adolescents of the same age of previous generations. An anomaly was quickly discovered here, which the scientists tried to explain by a sensory disturbance about one’s own self-image. Milestone Anxiety“ then first became known in the United States of America, before knowledge of it spread to Europe and all other parts of the world via social media.
Characteristics of Milestone Anxiety
Milestone Anxiety has a wide range of characteristics, all of which are listed below:
- Fear of change
- Anxiety about major projects or approaching project completion
- Despite best preparation and project success often fear and insecurity
- within the closing phases
- Avoidance of important events in life
- Social phobia and difficulties in social situations
- Fear of longer commitments
- Stress, malaise, panic and anxiety
- Psychosomatic disorders
Examples of „Milestone Anxiety“
Common situations in which „Milestone Anxiety“ occurs among adolescents and young adults include the following:
- Graduation or final exams
- Job application and first job
- Marriage and family planning
The subsections below will discuss these common situations in more detail.
Graduation
The approaching graduation and the accompanying final exams mark the first, major milestone in the life of every person. Dear friends and acquaintances will disappear from one’s life. At the same time, there is a great deal of pressure on those affected to successfully complete the final exams. In the run-up to graduation, most sufferers of „Milestone Anxiety“ have their first experience of this phenomenon.
First job
The first job also represents a major upheaval in life. The person is now committed to doing his or her job day after day, receiving a manageable amount of vacation time and a salary. The childlike phase seems to be over and one is more responsible for oneself. This can also lead to „milestone anxiety“ – common situations here are the job interview or the probationary period that is coming to an end.
Marriage and starting a family
In the private sphere, marriage and family planning can also be associated with a great deal of stress and trigger milestone anxiety. The reason for this is that those affected are under great pressure to present a good image to their own family, relatives or friends and thus put themselves under unnecessary pressure.
Social classification of „Milestone Anxiety“
Milestone Anxiety“ is mainly observed in people under 30 years of age. Thus, most sufferers of this anxiety disorder belong to the „Millenials“ as well as „Z“ and „Alpha“ generations. This phenomenon has not been observed in older individuals at times. It is believed that „Milestone Anxiety“ weakens over the course of life, and as one ages, one becomes accustomed to larger milestones in life.
Overcoming Milestone Anxiety
Milestone Anxiety can become a real problem as well as an obstacle for sufferers, but it can be contained quite well by the following tactics:
- Investing in yourself (in education, socializing and mindfulness)
- Enjoy the journey to the next big milestone
- Share ideas with others who are affected
- Believing in yourself (additionally using techniques, such as self-affirmation, NLP)
- Seeking professional help from a psychotherapist
Criticisms of Milestone Anxiety
Like other phenomena of the recent past, „Milestone Anxiety“ has been sharply criticized. It is dismissed as ridiculous and non-existent, or as imagination. A mere nervousness before important events in life is normal and is only further burned into the subconscious by the invention of an anxiety disorder.
Conclusion on the subject of „Milestone Anxiety“
In summary, it can be said that „Milestone Anxiety“ is a comparatively young anxiety disorder among adolescents and young adults, which is represented by fear of important events in the lives of those affected. These are, for example, graduation from school, the first job, marriage or family planning, as well as other important life events in terms of career, finances or private life.
Related to the term „milestone anxiety“ are, for example, the terms „nomophobia“ and „climate anxiety“. While „nomophobia“ (also called: „no-mobile-phone-phobia“) represents the fear of losing one’s own smartphone, „climate anxiety“ addresses the fear of natural disasters generated by global warming.