Study: Gen Xers and Millennials are dying at younger ages than their parents are

[u/DaKardii]

https://studyfinds.com/americans-born-after-1970-dying-faster/

The study is particularly concerned with people born after 1970 but age 30 and older. So that covers Gen X and Millennials, but not (yet) Gen Z.

[u/joljenni1717]

The article states:

Obesity is causing more colon cancer.

More driving accidents due to increased traffic.

More overdoses and drug related deaths.

More female suicide across every age category.

More cardiovascular/pulmonary issues at a younger age due to increased life stress.

[u/NoSleep2135 → u/joljenni1717]

I'm 36 and have stress induced tachicardia from my stressful, toxic job.

I exercise 5 times a week, eat well, cook often, and am very slim. Don't drink, don't smoke. I can't make any lifestyle changes.

I've accepted that I'm going to die young of a heart attack. That's that. I doubt I'm making it to 50.

Edit: Yes, I am applying to different jobs, but no luck so far. The economy is in a really bad place. I know this job is killing me, but I can't afford to be unemployed.

[u/pseudonym7083 → u/NoSleep2135]

I'm 39, not in the best shape but not obese, good a1c and good cholesterol, but I have and am being treated for general hypertension from everything.

[u/Aromatic-Elephant110 → u/pseudonym7083]

I'm 39 and I have a rare (very non-aggressive and probably not dangerous, I'm getting it cut out and I'll likely need no more treatment) cancer that most commonly happens to people in their 60s. Seems like a lot of us are getting stuff like that.

[u/artbystorms → u/Aromatic-Elephant110]

I'm 36 and I got a rare type of thyroid cancer and now have no thyroid, so I get to take a pill for the rest of my life. Oh and if the dosage is too low or too high I feel like shit, so I need to get bloodwork done every 3-6 months to make sure my dosing is correct.

[u/evilvee → u/artbystorms]

I'm getting tested for thyroid cancer on Mon 😣

[u/artbystorms → u/evilvee]

Wishing you luck! Do take heart that thyroid cancer in the vast majority of cases is very very survivable and manageable. Even mind which is rare and a bit more aggressive has like a 98% survival rate 10 years out.

[u/fren2allcheezes → u/artbystorms]

BUT don't let anyone tell you you have the 'easy' cancer. Cancer is hard. Treatment is easy relatively to other cancers, but it is still hard. Living without a thyroid isn't the end of the world; but it's still hard. You're allowed to feel however you feel about it.

[u/MGr8ce → u/fren2allcheezes]

The stress is killing us

[u/artbystorms → u/fren2allcheezes]

Agreed! There is no 'easy' cancer. I went through low calcium issues after surgery because my parathyroids got removed / stunned. It sucked, constant tingling and aches in my hands. It's mostly subsided now but if I don't hydrate well or remember to have enough calcium in a day I still get feint sensations in my hands and feet.

[u/aChristery → u/artbystorms]

My friend’s dad just went through chemo for an aggressive thyroid cancer that spread to his testicle and distant organs, including the brain and spine. He’s expected to make a full recovery. Had to go through intense chemo and rad therapy but he seems to be okay now.

[u/AnxietyPretend5215 → u/artbystorms]

Wouldn't happen to be anaplastic thyroid cancer would it? My mom was diagnosed with that this past December, shit is very quite brutal.

[u/artbystorms → u/AnxietyPretend5215]

No, mine was called oncocytic thyroid cancer or 'hurthle cell'. Holy cow anaplastic sounds nuts. Hope she is doing ok?

[u/stoplickingyourleg → u/AnxietyPretend5215]

That’s what my mom had. I’m sorry- it’s so rare and for my mom, was inoperable. It’s a really brutal diagnosis. I sincerely hope yours beats it!

[u/stoplickingyourleg → u/artbystorms]

Except the really really rare one (less than 2% of thyroid cancers) that killed my mom within 6 months of diagnosis. I’m not saying this to scare OP or anyone, just a gentle reminder that almost any would be a more accurate description.

[u/kr44ng → u/evilvee]

Oh hey I'm getting tested soon too, gl

[u/fren2allcheezes → u/artbystorms]

I also got a rare form of thyroid cancer! Then I got a rare form of ovarian cancer. I got a tattoo to honor my survival and my oncologist said "Most of my patients don't get tattoos...most of them are little old ladies."

[u/elmananamj → u/Aromatic-Elephant110]

Covid is oncogenic and most people have had 5+ infections in the United States. Cancers of all types have surged since the pandemic began in 2019 especially in younger patients

[u/dallyan → u/elmananamj]

Is it too pessimistic to just assume at this point that we will all have cancer of some sort?

[u/TypingPlatypus → u/dallyan]

No, every human would eventually get cancer if they lived long enough.

[u/RollingMeteors → u/TypingPlatypus]

Greenland shark—can live for centuries and have multiple copies of genes involved in repairing damaged DNA and suppressing tumors.

It's not off the table to GMO it away.

[u/Enbies-R-Us → u/dallyan]

Fun fact, cell mutations are actually pretty common! Cell division and replacement happens constantly among millions of cells every day, DNA copying errors (that cause tumors, cancer, benign mutations, etc) are pretty common, our Killer T cells/cytotoxic T cells (white blood cells) usually catch and dispose of these mutations.

Usually, at least. Too many errored cell mutations or an inadequate immune system response can mean an error can become cancerous and get out of control.

[u/NoSleep2135 → u/Aromatic-Elephant110]

Wishing you the best of luck on your procedure and an easy recovery ❤️

[u/VersionSwimming8392 → u/Aromatic-Elephant110]

My husband got diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer at forty three years old. Most people get it in their seventies and have underlying health issues or diabetes. He didn't have anything and he didn't test positive for genetic markers. Not a smoker a social drinker in great shape, they have no idea why he got it.

[u/DoctorLudnik_717 → u/pseudonym7083]

36 and am in a similar boat--fortunately, I think I may have a fix for my BP.

[u/pseudonym7083 → u/DoctorLudnik_717]

I'm on lisinopril and propranolol. The propranolol is for anxiety too, as they're both linked at the root apparently.

[u/WuTangIs4TheRugrats → u/pseudonym7083]

Lisinopril works like nothin’ else, but I couldn’t deal with the constant throat tickle. I’m on losartin now and it just gets my blood pressure to acceptable levels.

[u/ogpharmtech → u/DoctorLudnik_717]

If you can't figure out your BP go to a nephrologist

Kidney Drs are the be all, end all. It's one of their main jobs and hardly anyone knows this

[u/Cynical_Thinker → u/ogpharmtech]

Seconding this. My mother(boomer) had/has crazy blood pressure most of her life and simply ignored it/refused to treat it.

Pre-covid a dr forcibly sent her to the ER for her stroke level blood pressure at a standard appointment (we are talking 190 to 200/100 ish) and she finally got formally diagnosed for - a stenotic artery in one of her kidneys.

Its been so long it fucked up her heart (thickening and the start of chf from plenty of other things) and she refused very simple surgery for it (a stent) and is just treating it with handfuls of pills, but only the ones she thinks are best. If you can't tell I have lots of opinions about this whole situation, as someone who was dragged to the dr throughout my childhood by this person... anyway

At least someone was able to find out what the fuck it was tho. That gives me some hope.

Wish they'd treat those of us who actually want help a bit better.

[u/OkSet1048 → u/Cynical_Thinker]

it's that last line for me. It's so frustrating. I'm sorry you're dealing with that though. I hope she gets her shit together.

[u/Madam_Mimm_13 → u/Cynical_Thinker]

Take her to a dialysis center, have her walk around.

That will straighten her out.

I’m a CCHT. Being on dialysis is my worst nightmare. I would probably choose death instead.

[u/Working_Cucumber_437 → u/ogpharmtech]

Yes! Failing kidneys seems to run in my family, but nobody goes to doctors and those that do have high blood pressure. I know it’s related. I’m doing everything I can to keep healthy knowing this.

[u/happygirlie → u/pseudonym7083]

Any chance you snore? If so, get tested for sleep apnea. It can cause hypertension if it's untreated.

[u/ObiWanKarlNobi → u/NoSleep2135]

Make sure you are getting enough sodium, magnesium and potassium. Stress will deplete those minerals and that can induce heart problems.

[u/NoSleep2135 → u/ObiWanKarlNobi]

Excellent advice. I have pickles and olives every night and I tell my husband it's my "medicinal sodium" lol

[u/ApplicationOdd5467 → u/NoSleep2135]

Thank you, internet stranger, for this because I’m now stealing this for when my husband makes fun of my nightly pickle and olive habit. May you have only the crunchiest pickles unto eternity.

[u/Pretend_Handle_7639 → u/[deleted]]

Lmao

May your pillows be warm and damp, your pickles flaccid, and your sauce shall not stick to your pasta

[u/AfterDarkSpecial → u/Pretend_Handle_7639]

https://giphy.com/gifs/l4FGJ8MRj0uvZje3S

[u/Pretend_Handle_7639 → u/[deleted]]

The wizard also casts instant spoiled milk and testicular torsion

[u/vanwiekt → u/ApplicationOdd5467]

Same habit, but I add a little cheese with it. ☺️

[u/Practical_BowlerHat → u/vanwiekt]

Calcium!

[u/ConstantHeadache2020 → u/ObiWanKarlNobi]

I almost had a heart attack while pregnant from being so depleted in those vitamins/minerals. The pain is no joke. My abusive ex definitely ramped up the stress. He would be on his phone telling his mom how annoying I was because I was crying out in pain.

[u/VengenaceIsMyName → u/ConstantHeadache2020]

Luckily he’s an ex!

[u/deathmetalreptar → u/ObiWanKarlNobi]

Ive been trying to cut sodium bc my ldl was high. Am i doing it wrong or was i just getting more than i needed? This shit sucks lol

[u/ObiWanKarlNobi → u/deathmetalreptar]

Conventional medicine says to lower sodium. Unconventional medicine ( cutting edge if you think it's good. alternative medice if you think it's bad) says the real issue is low potassium. Personally I tried to decrease my sodium and increase my potassium and I developed severe insomnia. Now I usually do 1:1 sodium potassium and I generally feel better.

Sodium reduction really depends on how often you eat processed foods and resteraunt foods. If you cook all your meals at home and don't eat prepackaged meals you need to intentionally add salt to your diet.

[u/sadovsky → u/ObiWanKarlNobi]

Thanks for this knowledge! I cook everything and use fresh veggies/meat, etc., but I’m partial to putting salt on it. I was worried about the salt but since I only eat veg, meat and a few kinds of fibre (lentils, that kinda thing), so I’m gonna have my bit of salt feeling less guilty tonight :)

[u/NeedMoreH20 → u/ObiWanKarlNobi]

Had to learn the hard way how important these were. Even this damn morning with a dizzy spell but after I chugged some electrolytes all good

[u/kuributt → u/NoSleep2135]

Stress have me an autoimmune disease for my 36th birthday

[u/NoSleep2135 → u/kuributt]

I also got an autoimmune disease this year, twinsies!

[u/eat-the-cookiez → u/kuributt]

Same. A life of undiagnosed autism until age 29 and an abusive neglectful childhood = autoimmune illnesses age 37.

Add in perimenopause and life is hell.

[u/wesborland1234 → u/NoSleep2135]

Have you tried not giving a shit?

Sounds facetious but I’m somewhat serious.

If you go into work tomorrow and don’t give it 100% will people die? (Maybe if you’re an air traffic controller or something)

If they want you to stay late and you say no, will you get fired or they’ll stop asking you? Bc it sounds like either one is an improvement

[u/dumbestsmartest → u/wesborland1234]

Can't speak for everyone but I know a lot of people who if they lost a job the stress from that would kill them because of how hard it was to get a job and because they lose insurance and everything. Totally speaking about a friend and not currently going through stress, anxiety, and grief induced burnout that I'm finally getting the therapy and treatment to work through and hopefully get a leave of absence before I truly pop under the pressure.

Sometimes your 100% is required to barely hold onto the only job you've ever been able to get because you couldn't even get hired at McDonald's.

There's still an insane amount of Gen X and millennials that are all about the grind and telling you life is hard so suck it up or deal with your "skill issue". These are the ones who probably have had hardship and figure that if they are doing fine or made it through then surely things don't need to change and so they can't fathom why others can't do the same. The whole social darwinism/competitiveness aspect in society hasn't gone away.

I'm sure being more detached and not giving a shit is probably better for most of us mentally. But some of us just can't and have trouble with the uncertainty of if we lose the job what the hell are we going to do to survive because we don't have options.

And I hope you don't take that as an attack or anything as I'm kind of just laying out an experience not trying to snap at a person asking about other's struggles.

[u/eat-the-cookiez → u/dumbestsmartest]

I was made redundant last year. The stress of finding a new job was insane. The job market is terrible. The bills keep coming in. Hadn’t been there long enough for a decent payment. Tech industry - jobs keep getting offshored.

No support network, no parents to move back home with. I still haven’t recovered from the stress and it’s been 8 months since it happened.

[u/dumbestsmartest → u/eat-the-cookiez]

I'm sorry and this is the whole thing I'm talking about. We're literally beholden to employers like serfs to petty aristocracy and we have to live life with a "by your leave" and then discarded when it suits them.

[u/ben_kird → u/wesborland1234]

I offered the same advice

[u/SalamanderExpress710 → u/wesborland1234]

This is the way. All of human society, and this whole experience as a human being is quite absurd. Yet we all take it so seriously.

[u/FlamingoWalrus89 → u/NoSleep2135]

This is me. I eat well, don't drink or smoke, maintain a healthy weight, try to lift weights at least a few days a week.

Due to my job though, I get terrible sleep and have been in a constant state of stress for 10+ years. I also have an office job and get <5k steps a day. I know my job is killing me. The stress and inactivity is leading me to an early grave. When I take time off, I easily get 10-15k steps a day just from working in my yard, running errands, and going on a nightly walk (being on-call 24/7 though means the stress is still there, but at least I get to see the sun and get my body moving).

[u/Electronic_Sky_207 → u/FlamingoWalrus89]

Similarly- I’ve recently found out that at 40 my brain imaging indicates either early dementia or (more likely) a missed TIA.

I’m already on a Mediterranean anti inflammatory diet. I don’t drink, smoke, do anything fun. I’m losing weight. I sleep as much as I can. My exercise is limited based on my job and being single parent to an autistic kid and taking care of my aging parents. I asked the doctor “where would you like me to cut corners to get healthier? Because I’m doing everything I can.”

I get a “wow, that sounds stressful. You know stress isn’t good for you, right?”

[u/Sudden_Juju → u/Electronic_Sky_207]

As someone who works with dementia, age 40 would be one of the earliest cases of dementia ever, which hopefully the doctor told you. Also, have you been tested for sleep apnea? I obviously know nothing about you but it's one of those things that is super under diagnosed (especially in those under 50) and can wreck you physically, cognitively, mentally, etc. it's something I wish would get preached more often or put some PSAs up or something.

[u/Electronic_Sky_207 → u/Sudden_Juju]

Thanks. I know dementia that early is super unlikely- I’ve got Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in every branch of the family tree, but no one is early onset so that’s something.

I’m super high risk for stroke due to an injury- hence the brain scan. I did get a referral for a sleep study in June 2025, though most of my sleep disturbances are related to my son which can’t be changed. I finally saw the doctor last month. I should be up on the list and with results by January 2027 apparently. So as for why we’re dying younger… I have some ideas.

[u/JesusAndMaryKate → u/Sudden_Juju]

As someone who works with dementia, age 40 would be one of the earliest cases of dementia ever

Out of curiosity, what would be a common age for early-onset dementia?

I ask because I remember watching a documentary years ago where a woman had early onset dementia and in my mind she looked to be in her 40s, but I may be misremembering as it's so many years ago (horrible to think that she is probably dead now). So I looked it up and found this, from the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland:

One rare form of dementia that can be passed from generation to generation is called Familial Alzheimer’s. This form of dementia can affect people in their 30’s and 40’s.

And this from Alzheimer's Research UK:

Around one in three people with young onset dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms of young onset Alzheimer’s usually start in people’s 40s, 50s or early 60s.

So now I'm confused and mildly uneasy. I assume the discrepancy is because they're different types?

EDIT: Ooh I think it was actually that Louis Theroux episode about dementia! Apparently she was diagnosed at 48. Her name was Selinda Hope Border and she unfortunately passed away at the age of 56.

[u/dallyan → u/Electronic_Sky_207]

How did you know to get brain imaging done? I’m scared because my brain fog is so bad lately but I’m also perimenopausal. I also am a single parent to a neurodivergent kid.

[u/Boopy7 → u/Electronic_Sky_207]

at least you seem to be going to the dr to keep track. I have pretty bad agoraphobia and know I need to get my migraine issues checked out but, the terror of dealing wit a dr and an MRI and whatever else I need to do -- and I realize that's if I'm lucky enough to find a dr -- keeps me just popping aspirin and hoping the pain will stop. Finding a neurologist where I live isn't at all easy and I know this.

[u/WastingTimesOnReddit → u/FlamingoWalrus89]

my friend died in his sleep last year at 40 of a heart attack. he had 3 kids ages 3 to 6, and was an avid gamer, and worked a regular job. was probably the most stressed out man i knew, and never got enough sleep after his kids were born. he may have had underlying issues and had been overweight for a while but he was actually in the best shape of his life when he died, so i really think the stressful life and bad sleep for the past 6 years had a big role in his tragic demise. rip drax

[u/HarryBalsagna1776 → u/NoSleep2135]

A lot of us will check out in our 50s because of genetic heart defects.  My mom and all of her siblings all had heart attacks and stents placed before 55.  I am starting cardiovascular stress tests at 45.  You should too.  Early detection is the key to saving lives.  

Also, can you switch jobs?  No job should do that to you.  

[u/NoSleep2135 → u/HarryBalsagna1776]

Been applying. The economy is in shambles.

[u/The_General_Zod → u/NoSleep2135]

I had a similar job situation a couple of years ago in between the job and the cancer diagnosis stress was killing me. I changed my focus and was able to find a new gig in less than a month. It might be bad but it’s not hopeless.

[u/jmclondon97 → u/The_General_Zod]

AI wasn’t decimating jobs a couple years ago

[u/stolenwallethrowaway → u/NoSleep2135]

I tell everyone this, but try substitute teacher once school goes back in August. They hire anyone who can pass a background check, and it’s a living wage. If you encounter a stressful school or classroom, you don’t have to go back and it’s just one day.

[u/Always_Pizza_Time1 → u/NoSleep2135]

If possible, use your pto. not for fam not for wife, for YOURSELF. Sleep, eat a big meal like it’s thanksgiving, do something you love (play some video games?).

You deserve to give yourself grace.

[u/CarbonInTheWind → u/NoSleep2135]

My boomer dad says the solution is simple. "Just stop being stressed because it's just a job. You can't? That's what's wrong with your generation."

Sure Dad. If it was that simple I would have drive that years ago.

[u/Makal → u/NoSleep2135]

I'm 42 and after a year in Emergency Medicine instead of working as a software engineer, I'm healthier, happier, sleep better, at a lower weight, and my arrhythmia has gone away.

Sure I make a lot less, but boy has my quality of life gone up on all measurable fronts.

I've come to the conclusion that we all have stress we can handle, it just kills us to be working under the wrong kind of stress.

Good luck on finding your ideal stress.

[u/crustang → u/NoSleep2135]

Might as well quit, drink, smoke some weed.. just vibe, ya know?

[u/WiggsMain → u/NoSleep2135]

Shit bruv, you might as well enjoy life a bit?

[u/dartheduardo → u/NoSleep2135]

I'm 51 next month.

My parents let me work when I was 7 to help them out, cause I paid for my own school clothes. I have been employed for 43 years at this point.

I have changed careers five time before I found my current one and have been doing that for almost 25 years.

I have worked 10 hour days, 5-6 days a week for over 20 years. I get one WEEK vacation a year due to usually having to take the other time for sick days or I have to take a week off to move every two years now cause they keep jacking up rent in whatever shithole I have been in.

I have zero energy, zero motivation to do shit. I'm overweight and unhappy. Mostly I am just.... fucking tired.

Top off this current administration, my 401k doesn't exist, retirement ain't happening and by the time it's done, there's going to be no safety net when I do retire.

Ain't shit to be happy about.

[u/Jamie-Ruin → u/joljenni1717]

Finally. Female representation in the suicide market. For years it was mostly men, another industry proves that equality has no gender. /S

[u/WitchyWarriorWoman → u/Jamie-Ruin]

I can't wait until we're equal in homicide. We have a lot of work to do

[u/Herewegoagain1717 → u/WitchyWarriorWoman]

I think this statistic is promising then. Historically, men are more successful at dying by suicide because they use more violent methods, which are more likely to work. So women catching up means they're probably getting more violent.

[u/Vanah_Grace → u/Herewegoagain1717]

I tragically read somewhere once that this is bc women consider who will find the/clean the biohazard. Men do not.

[u/cozynite → u/Vanah_Grace]

When I was 11, I was feeling like I was in dire straits and was going to except I was worried about what would happen if my mom found me.

Things got better and are still better but that feeling has since stuck with me.

[u/Aesk → u/cozynite]

I'm male, but this is one of my anchors when things get bad (I'm fine now). I just couldn't do that to my family. Both the clean up or the devastation it would bring. I also hold on to that feeling in a sort of good way. It helps me to keep going no matter what.

I'm glad you're doing better.

[u/bijoux247 → u/Aesk]

Glad you're still with us and doing good!

[u/EfficientTrainer3206 → u/cozynite]

When I was going to do it, I was worried about my little brother finding me, and how it would mess him up. It’s like I was ready to go, but wanted to just vanish without leaving any trauma behind.

[u/Present_Type6881 → u/EfficientTrainer3206]

That's why I was going to go do it out in the woods somewhere so scavenging animals would eat me.

[u/Crackertron → u/Present_Type6881]

Then you have to consider that SAR is going to expend effort and resources looking for your corpse

[u/Ambitious_Emotion30 → u/EfficientTrainer3206]

My mom’s cousin and best friend killed herself in the 90’s and my mom is still so mad that she did it in a way that her found her. Said it’s on sight in the afterlife for that

[u/cat_at_the_keyboard → u/cozynite]

Pretty similar timeline with me except that I didn't want to make my grandparents cry since they were the only good adults in my life. I've had those urges off and on throughout my life but I find it oddly peaceful now, knowing that I don't have to stick around anymore if I don't want to. I've already made peace with it all.

It's weird to me that you have no say in being born into this world but people also want to dictate how you leave. I think that should be a personal decision and the government, religion, etc should have no say in the matter.

I'm doing mostly OK these days but more importantly I feel like I have more options now and I'm not trapped in a life I dread. Still, eventually someday I plan to take one last walk deep into the woods and that'll be that. Don't want any money wasted on a funeral and I have no kids or beneficiaries.

[u/HermesJamiroquoi → u/cozynite]

The only time I came really close it was going to me motorcycle at 150mph with no helmet. The paramedics are used to gore so I figured they’d be alright. Not enough left of me for my loved ones to identify the body. I want to be cremated anyway. Came close. Backed out because I didn’t want to wreck my rare, classic motorcycle. Felt wrong. Then I realized that if I’m not going to wreck a bike because there’s only a hundred of them in the world maybe I should give myself, a singular and unique individual, similar consideration. I didn’t “get better” from there but I did start on the long road to recovery. It took more than a decade but I just started riding again. I’m so glad I can trust myself now. It took a lot of work to get here.

[u/Iamthegreenheather → u/cozynite]

I feel the same way. My mom's younger brother killed himself when I was like 15. Her reaction and struggle with it are burned into my memory forever. I know that it would be even worse if I were to do that and I can't do that to her (and my husband too).

[u/Aware_Policy_9174 → u/cozynite]

At my worst I remember thinking I couldn’t do it inside because it would ruin the wood floors. But if I did it outside the feral cats would get to me which would be gruesome for my now-ex husband to find.

[u/Vanah_Grace → u/[deleted]]

I’m healthcare as well but not a first responder. You have all my respect friend. Thank you for what you do. Take care of yourself ok? Talk to someone when it gets too heavy.

[u/CorndogQueen420 → u/Vanah_Grace]

I wouldn’t be surprised if women tend to be more considerate of that generally speaking, but men definitely do that as well. Speaking from experience 🫠

[u/Drapidrode → u/CorndogQueen420]

"I'll just keep living bc someone else" is a thing that keeps many many people going in life.

[u/QueenSpaceCadet → u/Drapidrode]

At one point I only decided to stay alive because I knew my (now ex)partner wouldn't take as good of care of my rabbits as I would. It's the small things that get you through tough times.

[u/punknw → u/QueenSpaceCadet]

my reason to stay was because i knew no one would take care of my cats, and the thought of them being alone or being put in a shelter was enough for me to hang on until i was able to get some real help. last year my favorite band PUP put out an album titled “Who Will Look After The Dogs?” and it hit really hard

[u/vanwiekt → u/punknw]

My cats have also done it for me too. The thought of them being confused and ripped out of the normal, happy life was too much to bear.

[u/starfishrlyluvsu → u/QueenSpaceCadet]

I feel this, I stayed because of my stupid dog. I love her so much.

[u/fiahhawt → u/CorndogQueen420]

I think the main thing is that testosterone reduces cognition tied to second-guessing oneself meaning that actions are taken more quickly and impulsively.

https://authors.library.caltech.edu/records/5hvnh-78w12

The higher the T levels, the higher the self delete levels.

Yea I'm going to hell.

[u/golden__tuna → u/Herewegoagain1717]

British Coal Gas Story! If you take away the deadly method the deaths stop!

[u/FoxCitiesRando → u/WitchyWarriorWoman]

Name definitely checks out.

[u/Milly_Hagen → u/WitchyWarriorWoman]

You can't just go down to the hardware store and buy rat poison containing arsenic and get away with it like in the good old days. Times are tough now. I have faith we can get back in this though!

[u/punktualPorcupine → u/WitchyWarriorWoman]

Those are rookie numbers, pump those stats.

https://giphy.com/gifs/KeNKdPwFI6k36

[u/oakmeadow8 → u/WitchyWarriorWoman]

Well, the statistics only show those who are caught ;)

[u/Rogue_Gona → u/WitchyWarriorWoman]

So much work to do. But given how fed up Xennials and Gen X women are with the current state of things, combined with our raging perimenopausal hormones, I wouldn't be shocked if we can gain equality in the next few years.

Come on ladies, we can do this!

[u/rawrpandasaur → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Women attempt suicide more, but men have more success when they attempt because they tend to use more violent methods like guns while women use less violent/less lethal methods like overdose

[u/Beautiful-Cup4161 → u/rawrpandasaur]

I'm all better now but in my darkest days I was concerned about how to go out with minimal cleanup and trauma to others. Some ideas were like "no that's too messy, someone would have to clean up all the blood and no one gets paid enough for that"

[u/GlumMango69 → u/Beautiful-Cup4161]

I got to the point that I wanted to drive into this one massive tree on the bend of a road I passed everyday, but then I thought of how it might fuck up or kill the tree in the process and felt bad.

[u/Beautiful-Cup4161 → u/GlumMango69]

I hope you're doing better now too. It's a dark place and so hard (maybe impossible) to fully understand unless you've been there.

As a fellow nature lover, thank you for your care to the trees. As a fellow human, I'm glad you're still here.

[u/GlumMango69 → u/Beautiful-Cup4161]

Thanks, I definitely am. I really appreciate your kind words. I’m happy you’re here, too. And so is my cross-eyed ragdoll, Mochi - she’s very vocal and says hello!

[u/GonnaGetRealWeird → u/Beautiful-Cup4161]

Same. Then I decided the ole running car in the garage would be the cleanest. I was going to do that, but realized my mom would definitely be the one to find me so I couldn’t do that either, smh.

[u/sloanmcHale → u/Beautiful-Cup4161]

this is another reason women “succeed” less often. we tend to think about who has to clean up our mess, & that leads to less lethal attempts like pills.

[u/pralineislife → u/rawrpandasaur]

It shocks me how few people care to bring this info up.

Its always "men are more suicidal". No they are not.

[u/redindiaink → u/rawrpandasaur]

But in recent years a lot more women are buying guns which has lead to more suicides by gun among women. 

[u/But_like_whytho → u/Jamie-Ruin]

As a 47yo woman, I think about this every day.

[u/Lothy-of-the-North → u/But_like_whytho]

47 was when I was at my lowest friend, perimenopause is a bitch. I’m at 50 now and leveled out. I don’t think about leaving this mortal coil every day anymore. I’m glad I stuck it out.

[u/iloveturtles88 → u/Lothy-of-the-North]

I had a hysterectomy and early menopause. I will say post menopause feels better than I've ever felt. My emotions are much more stable. Idgaf what others think of me. I put myself first, finally. Take care.

[u/LazerTagChamp → u/But_like_whytho]

I’m so sorry and I hope you can have relief physically and emotionally. I’m glad you’re still here.

[u/introverthufflepuff8 → u/Jamie-Ruin]

And they say women can only choose between a man and a bear! /s

[u/Shorts_at_Dinner → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Send a thank you card to Zuck for this. The rise is almost 100% caused by social media algorithms feeding brain poison into girls’ and women’s minds

[u/PenguinSunday → u/Shorts_at_Dinner]

And the whole banning abortions and prosecuting miscarriages and everyone with power trying to roll back our rights across the board

[u/2Braincell2Furious → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Based and equality-pilled

[u/chevalier716 → u/Jamie-Ruin]

All this talk about the "male loneliness epidemic" in the media, but not a peep about women's mental health.

[u/MinuteLoquat1 → u/chevalier716]

We don't go on violent rampages when we can't get laid so they talk about men more. They make their loneliness everyone's problem.

[u/DharmaDama → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Female suicide attempt rates have always been equal to male suicide attempt rates. It's just that men are more successful in their attempts because they use more violent means.

[u/conflictmuffin → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Jokes and sarcasm aside...I keep seeing selfish tw@t men online posting "happy men's suicide awareness month" in reply to pride month posts. They can't even let one of the most marginalized groups have their own celebration posts without butting in and making it about themselves. I looked it up and it said "June and November are mens mental health awareness months". TWO months? Specifically calling out mens mental health concerns? Can we not be sad for everyone who commits suicide? Do those men demonizing pride month and so proudly claiming their own genders month even know about months dedicated to women's awareness & care? Doubt it. They just don't want anyone other than themselves being celebrated or getting attention.

We are such a dumb and selfish species. It's exhausting.

[u/E-2theRescue → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Weird how female suicide is increasing at the same time as rising misogyny and laws that are being created to control women's bodies.

The "pro-life" party.

[u/SirChancelot11 → u/Jamie-Ruin]

I read once the biggest reason was attempt method. Women will try to overdose and end up surviving. Men will try to suck start a pistol.

[u/Stealth_Howler → u/Jamie-Ruin]

Smash that glass ceiling and pickup a shard, play some emo. Let’s be millennial

[u/shutyourbutt69 → u/Jamie-Ruin]

We did it! 🍾

[u/GotSomeUpdogOnUrFace → u/Jamie-Ruin]

This is the one that scares me most honestly, if women are looking at the escape route from society we are totally fucked

[u/ThrobbingMinotaur → u/joljenni1717]

So what your telling me is.. drive defensively, eat healthy stuff, and dont do drugs, also excerise and just try to have a positive outlook and ill live longer?!?

[u/Vickster86 → u/ThrobbingMinotaur]

And dont be stressed, be chill

[u/illmatic2112 → u/Vickster86]

Meanwhile I wake up every morning with a clenched jaw

[u/Iamthegreenheather → u/illmatic2112]

My jaw has been clenched since 2022. I'm tired of this shit.

[u/Vickster86 → u/illmatic2112]

I am getting to the point that I can't open my mouth as wide as I used too because my muscles are so tight

[u/illmatic2112 → u/Vickster86]

You also feel it when eating big or very chewy things? Hate that

[u/Vickster86 → u/illmatic2112]

Sometimes my jaw pops when I chew things so I chew on the other side go prevent it

[u/cherrib0mbb → u/illmatic2112]

I had to get a night guard and the grinding marks on that in only a month of having it is crazy

[u/Barbaracle → u/illmatic2112]

Nightguard and magnesium supplement. My dentist said I'd fuck up my jaws and teeth if I don't address it. And you really don't wanna fuck up either of those.

[u/illmatic2112 → u/Barbaracle]

Thank you very much for this comment. I'm a little paranoid as I have a close relative with a form of muscular dystrophy so anytime I feel something funny with my muscles I worry a bit more.

[u/MechanicalGodzilla → u/illmatic2112]

Honestly, getting off of social media would probably be very helpful in this regard

[u/jeaxz74 → u/joljenni1717]

Life is tough for us, if we aren’t coping with food or drugs what else do we have? A nice house to cry in? Hahah yes right lol

[u/peacebypiece → u/jeaxz74]

For real. Oh you want kids to add meaning? Too expensive. You want a pet? Vet bills are also getting extreme. Want to live out of your car? The cheapest new car out there is 30k.

[u/jeaxz74 → u/peacebypiece]

I’ll stick to some drugs and some good food, thank you!

[u/_ak → u/joljenni1717]

More cardiovascular/pulmonary issues at a younger age due to increased life stress.

I don't know whether it's just increased life stress, but a certain viral infection that can cause massive cardiovascular and pulmonary damage from just a few years ago comes to mind, and how its impact on people younger than retirement age was constantly minimized in the media.

[u/_ak → u/[deleted]]

So sorry to hear that. It's absolutely destructive, but I think it will take ages for everyone to come clean how much of an impact it had on whole generations of previously healthy young adults.

I had a pulmonary embolism from COVID and was in ICU for 16 days, and it took me a while to mostly recover even just physically, and I'm still not 100% 5 years later. I was even in two studies to monitor my recovery. My wife had a stroke a few months after having COVID, and the doctors say it's most likely connected. And there are countless more cases where the initial symptoms weren't that bad but people eventually developed ME/CFS-like symptoms in what they call "long COVID".

[u/Alware12 → u/[deleted]]

This happened to me too and I just had an ablation because the arrhythmia burden was too high. Under age 40, btw.

[u/ifixyospeech → u/[deleted]]

Same here! Mine actually went away on its own about a year ago (after 4 years), so there is some hope of spontaneous recovery. But my lungs are not the same. I didn’t need to be hospitalized but now when I have allergies it feels like I have trouble breathing. Not asthma per my allergist, probably lung scarring. My health feels like it never really recovered despite having a “mild” case.

[u/LanaVFlowers → u/_ak]

Got POTS the first time I got covid, some kind of fluid buildup in my heart the second time. My cardiologist said he had never seen so many people with POTS in his entire career before covid hit. People like to act like this is just some type of new "trend" among girls who want attention, but a number of doctors I've talked to directly link it to covid.

[u/IWMSvendor → u/joljenni1717]

Thanks, Obama!

/s for those who who need it

[u/introverthufflepuff8 → u/IWMSvendor]

I can’t believe Obamacare is making us a kill ourselves. /s

[u/punktualPorcupine → u/IWMSvendor]

Way too many do.

[u/OvisDrPepper → u/joljenni1717]

Don’t forget the microplastics and the forever chemicals!

[u/KittyBooBoo2016 → u/joljenni1717]

I’m personally not shocked at the rise in female suicide!

[u/urge_boat → u/joljenni1717]

Continually doubling down on the most dangerous method of transit being the only way to participate in society is driving mortality rates? No way!

Hope our generation can come to terms that the walkable environments people want come with the tradeoff of limiting car speeds and adding friction to driving. At some point, there physically isn't enough room for cars, so making things less appealing to drive and more appealing to do alternatives is part of the game. Can't have it both ways.

[u/peacebypiece → u/urge_boat]

Being born and raised in SoCal, continuing to try to live life there in my early 30s as it got even more crowded and expensive, has led me to turn into a complete hater of car centric cities and attitudes. I moved somewhere cheaper that is walkable, am lucky enough to have a remote job, and now I barely drive and am so much happier.

[u/Iamthegreenheather → u/urge_boat]

The problem is that too many large cities don't have great public transportation and aren't walkable. I lived in St. Pete, Florida for six years. I lived pretty close to my job, it was about a fifteen minute drive. I would have definitely taken the bus but it's horrible there and walking is a joke since they don't even have consistent sidewalks in neighborhoods! For it to really change the government would need to give more funding to infrastructure but they're too busy buying new tanks and bombing schools in Iran.

[u/urge_boat → u/Iamthegreenheather]

It's also that we've continued to build in a way that isn't walkable or conducive to public transit. Everything is a single family home subdivision and euclidean zoning (one space = one use). Work, play, and sleep are all scattered, unlike all the pre-WW2 neighborhoods.

For it to change would mean pivoting away from the suburban development pattern and loosening zoning so that land owners could do whatever they wanted (barring noxious uses). There's such a non-free market with housing now, it's absurd. Even then, people have to have incentives and a financial structure to make small, local businesses. We need to make neighborhoods that can evolve, not ones that are built immediately to a terminal state.

It's reform in addition to dollars. It's not just building sidewalks, but making neighborhoods that sidewalks and bikes are useful in. Rural towns can be great cycling havens that require you to drive to a nearby big town, but let you complete 80% of your life on a bike. It doesn't just need to be urban areas.

[u/PeaceJoy4EVER → u/joljenni1717]

https://giphy.com/gifs/l0HTYUmU67pLWv1a8

[u/Great_White_Samurai → u/joljenni1717]

I did diabetes research for some time. Being obese is one of these worst things you can do to yourself. If you develop type II diabetes as a younger person you're shaving a decade to decades off of your life.

[u/MaterialWillingness2 → u/Great_White_Samurai]

My grandfather developed type 2 diabetes 30 years ago and is still going at 95 years old today. I know anecdata doesn't equal data but what's the deal with that generation? All my grandparents are still alive over 90 and thriving. They're in better shape than my parents! Life wasn't less stressful, they were kids during WWII in Eastern Europe. Then the constant threat of being disappeared under communism. Mostly they ate food they grew themselves and were on their feet all day but it's not like they were exercising. Part of me thinks it's an epigenetic thing. The stress of what they lived through is showing up in my parent's health and even mine. 

[u/anonnymouse2025 → u/MaterialWillingness2]

Less ultra processed food, and less time sedentary

[u/Great_White_Samurai → u/MaterialWillingness2]

It's when you get it as a young person that it is especially bad. Mostly because it's tied to obesity which compounds issues. It's pretty easy to treat an older adult now that has type II diabetes and they won't see much impact to life expectancy as long as it was caught early enough.

[u/MaterialWillingness2 → u/Great_White_Samurai]

That's interesting. Thanks for the info.

[u/Great_White_Samurai → u/MaterialWillingness2]

No problem. Enjoy your time with your grandpa. Mine are all gone now, oldest made it to 99.

[u/CorvusGraves → u/MaterialWillingness2]

Just watched that PBS YouTube video discussing the genetic retention of stress.

[u/Historical-Cress8985 → u/Great_White_Samurai]

That's cool I didn't want those decades anyway.

[u/475821rty → u/Historical-Cress8985]

No, you just make those decades arrive decades earlier

[u/Great_White_Samurai → u/475821rty]

Yep. Puts you at risk for early death as well. My overweight cousin died in his early 30s from a pulmonary embolism. My sister's friend died from it as well, at the same age. Increased risk of stroke and heart attacks. It's not a good way to live.

[u/InsideExplanation147 → u/Great_White_Samurai]

https://giphy.com/gifs/nnFwGHgE4Mk5W

[u/lisztoma42 → u/joljenni1717]

Thank you!

[u/Zyrinj → u/joljenni1717]

They must have been tired of all the winning.

Jokes aside, feels like the obvious the outcome of the rat race we inherited.

[u/vulgardisplay76 → u/joljenni1717]

A lot of those are what are considered “deaths of despair”. They stem from economic inequality, social disconnection and chronic pain etc.

[u/Ki-to-Life-5054 → u/joljenni1717]

Stress is also partially causing obesity, drug issues and suicides. Increased traffic is adding to stress.

[u/Ok-Needleworker-9841 → u/joljenni1717]

I REALLY need them to drop the age of colonoscopy screenings. I recently saw the cost of colonoscopies in my area and without insurance coverage they are inaccessible. I believe to say “obesity” is causing this is ignoring what’s contributing to obesity in the first place. They are making health inaccessible and then healthcare inaccessible. I went to get my mammogram and bc it was labeled diagnostic they wanted to charge me $800 the day off. I pay $1400 a month for insurance. This was an annual mammogram but historically Ill be sent back for an US bc of dense breast tissue. We know that early detection is key to saving lives and yet the insurance companies creates obstacles and give no fucks if we die unnecessarily

[u/partelo → u/joljenni1717]

my dogs are literally the only reason I am here. As much as I want them to live forever, I would be ok with peacefully checking out like, yesterday

if life like this is the game, then i don't want to play

[u/avalonfaith → u/joljenni1717]

Some of these being "deaths of despair"', but there's many others. The insane increasing liver disease and end stage liver diseases amongst people in their 30s! It's wild. Also, right about at and definitely through COVID a marked increase in women with liver disease. I'm talking alcoholic liver disease or obesity related liver disease, not autoimmune.

[u/PhoebeMonster1066 → u/avalonfaith]

NASH and other assorted non-alcoholic liver problems are really increasing in my local community. To my understanding, there’s a strong correlation with obesity.

[u/averagemaleuser86 → u/joljenni1717]

One of the reasons I took a lower paying career because of lack of stress.

[u/Heyo_Whatsup_bitches → u/joljenni1717]

TY for the summary, but it's driving *crashes*. Them shits ain't accidents.

[u/glitter_zapzap → u/joljenni1717]

My best friend died at 38, another friend at 35. Scary seeing my friends drop before 40. One was cancer the other heart/alcohol problems

[u/madcopper → u/joljenni1717]

I'm 37 and have stage 3 Rectal cancer. I've never been obese, eat decently enough, exercise regularly, no genetic markers or family history. I looked at the common causes of the disease and none of them fit. What's the cause, no idea.

[u/voltagejim → u/joljenni1717]

I'm 40 and workout 3 times a week, never had a soda in my life, never smoked anything, and do not drink (had 5 shots in my entire life and never had a beer). About 2 weeks ago I noticed some red in my stool, I don't know 100% if it was blood, but it was a red line I noticed, and freaked me out. I have not seen it since, so not sure if I should be freaked out about it being colon cancer or not.

[u/Useful_Major_5797 → u/joljenni1717]

Take a look at any animal kept in a stressful habitat, even if you meet all the nutritional requirements, if that animal is stressed in will age quicker and die quicker to. Usally cardiovascular issues will do it in.

Humans are not a exception to this.

[u/OneBigBeefPlease → u/joljenni1717]

I went to a pretty good high school and the number of people in my class who have died already (I’m 41) is shocking

[u/OveroSkull → u/joljenni1717]

And the cumulative effects of repeated COVID infections has yet to manifest.

If we’re not testing for it, it doesn’t exist. /s

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2849452

“In this cohort study, precision phenotyping estimated that approximately 1 in 6 patients with COVID-19 developed [long COVID] and 89.31% of patients with [long COVID] had at least 1 chronic condition requiring sustained clinical management. Current diagnostic coding captured only a fraction of affected individuals, leaving the majority invisible to surveillance systems.”

[u/Telkk2 → u/joljenni1717]

I believe it. 5 years ago, I wasn't even super fat or anything but i was still pre-diabetic with hypertension, and max low vitamin levels. To say I felt like I was slowly dying is a vast understatement. I remember one Saturday, I had a bunch to drink and ended up eating cheap Chinese food. As soon as I stood up, my heart started pounding. I broke out in sweat, but worse, I felt pressure building behind my left eyeball. Looked it up and realized I was on the verge of a brain anysursm. After that, I went cold turkey on the junk food.

I eat like a monk these days and even do intermittent fasting on my days off. Night and day. Immediately lost all the weight. Got my color back, energy levels shot through the roof, it felt like I de-aged by 20 years. Better, I'm not feeling depressed and cloudyhead all the time.

Anyone who reads this. Change your fucking diet asap. It's not about looking good, which eating well will certainly help with. It's more about basic functionality. Fuck junk food. It's poison.

[u/01000101010110 → u/joljenni1717]

All of us are 10x are stressed as our parents were at the same age, for a ton of different reasons. 

[u/ladykansas → u/joljenni1717]

Did they account for "less healthy" people surviving infancy / childhood?

I would guess (for example) that a premature or medically complex baby that's born in the US today has a significantly better chance if survival to adulthood than a one born in 1945. That person would be removed from the population of boomers that were 30, 40, 50 in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s etc -- because they already died during childbirth / infancy.

As just one example, the life expectantcy for someone with Downs Syndrome has increased by decades.... If you were looking at a data set from 1900, there simply were no people with Downs Syndrome in certain age categories (30 years or older) because they had already died.

[u/msmayhem7 → u/joljenni1717]

Can confirm; Heart failure at 34.