UNMASKED: LEARNING ABOUT HISTORICALLY ACCURATE NINJAS

By Andres Salazar

THE NINJA PROBABLY DIDN’T WEAR THEIR CLASSIC BLACK UNIFORM

For ninjas to reach their fullest potential, they must look the part. A classic Japanese assassin of their kind needs to dawn the traditional black or dark navy robes. The mask is also a must, showing only their eyes. This classic image of a ninja has got to be historically accurate, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. As mentioned before, the ninja was mostly from various warring Japanese clans, mainly the Iga and Koga clans. Most historical evidence points to the ninja being the samurai of these clans (Cummins, 2012). Trained in the same way as other warriors of the era, the ninja were mostly samurai who specialised in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. As such, it’s most likely that the shinobi wore kimonos, as was typical for the samurai. Furthermore, to properly infiltrate areas of interest, the ninja was known to wear civilian clothing. This fits well with historical documents, which support the idea that the ninjas were excellent thieves . While the samurai are famous for their nobility and honour, it’s important to note that during the war from 1467 to 1615, samurai were known for occasional acts of thievery, especially those employed for ninja reconnaissance missions (Turnbull, 2014). As the number of ninjas decreased after the Sengoku Jidai, the legend around the sneaky assassins grew. Their expertise in stealth and assassinations grew to become exaggerated tales. Later in history, after the shinobi were gone, artistic depictions started to show the stereotypical ninja look (Howe, 2020). In short, while the ninja did exist, they most likely wore kimonos like other samurai of the era.

Concluding Thoughts

Everyone loves ninjas. There’s something so incredible about these stealthy assassins that make them the perfect icons of a secretive warrior class from a foreign culture. However, as with most things, they are the victims of great exaggeration. Though, there’s something to appreciate after learning this. This makes the samurai look even more skilled than initially thought. This is only a tiny sample of what there is to learn about historically accurate ninjas. As time goes on, modern historians keep learning about the truth about historically accurate shinobi. Perhaps through more research, the truth about the ninja will continue to be unmasked.

References

Cummins, A. (2013). “In Search of the Ninja: The Historical Truth of Ninjutsu”. The History Press.

Howe, C. (2020). “Mythbusting: Who Really Were the Japanese Ninja, and What Gear Did They Use?”. Callum Howe. https://www.callumhowe.com/post/mythbusting-who-really-were-the-japanese-ninja-and-what-gear-did-they-use.

Tozando Editorial Team. (2018). “Sori – Katana Curvature Explained”. Tozando Japan. https://weblog.tozando.com/sori-the-curve-that-captures-the-sharpness-and-beauty-of-the-japanese-sword/.

Turnbull, S. (2002). “Essential Histories - War in Japan 1467–1615”. Osprey Publishing. https://www cuttersguide.com/pdf/Military-and-Uniforms/stephen-turnbull-war-in-japan-1467-1615-essentialhistories-46.pdf.

Turnbull, S. (2017). “Ninja: Unmasking the Myth”. Frontline Books. https://books.google.ca/books?

hl=en&lr=&id=c9hgDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT7&dq=Ninja+history&ots=JvMoWiFiuF&sig=GnGTJQzd-PZeJOI9jR46pqi6YWY#v=onepage&q=Ninja%20history&f=false.

Turnbull, S. (2014). “The Ninja: An Invented Tradition?”. Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective, Volume 9. http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jgi/vol9/iss1/3.

Written by George Parsons Turcotte

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and it has undoubtedly brought about a revolution in the way we communicate, connect and share information. However, as social media use has become increasingly widespread, there has been a growing concern about the negative impact it can have on our mental health, particularly regarding our body image and selfesteem. In this article, we will explore the negative impacts of social media on body image and self-esteem and what we can do to mitigate them.

It is essential to understand what body image and self-esteem are. Body image refers to how we see ourselves and our bodies, while self-esteem refers to how we feel about ourselves and our worth. When we have a positive body image and self-esteem, we feel confident, capable and valuable. Conversely, negative body image and self-esteem can lead to feelings of inadequacy, inse-curity, and depression. Unfortunately, social media can have a significant impact on our body image and self-esteem. One way in which social media can harm our body image is by promoting unrealistic beauty standards. Social media is filled with images of seemingly perfect bodies and faces, which are often edited or filtered to look more appealing. When we compare ourselves to these images, it can make us feel like we are not attractive enough. This can lead to a negative body image, which can further harm our self-esteem. Moreover, social media can be particularly harmful to individuals who have a history of eating disorders or other body image concerns. Social media can trig-ger negative thoughts and feelings, which can lead to a relapse or worsening of their condition. Social media can also make it difficult for individuals with eating disorders to recover, as they are constantly exposed to triggering images and messages.

Another way in which social media can harm our body image and self-esteem is by creating a culture of comparison. Social media platforms are filled with images of seemingly perfect people, who have the perfect body, perfect job, perfect relationship, and so on. When we are constantly bombarded with these images, it is easy to feel inadequate and like we are not good enough. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. Social media can harm our body image and self-esteem is by creating unrealistic depictions of people online through the use of filters, editing, and posing. Social media platforms offer a range of editing tools and filters that allow users to modify their images to appear more perfect. While these tools can be fun and entertaining, they can also contribute to a distorted image of reality. When we constantly see images of people with edited, filtered, and posed bodies, we can start to believe that these images are the norm.

However, the reality is that these images are often far from reality and can be harmful to our self-esteem and body image. They can create an unrealistic standard of beauty that is unattainable for most people.

These images can also promote a culture of perfectionism, where people feel like they need to look perfect all the time. This can be especially harmful to individuals who already struggle with body image and self-esteem issues. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, which can further harm their mental health. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the use of filters, editing, and posing on social media and its potential impact on our body image and self-esteem. While these tools can be fun, we should not use them as a way to compare ourselves to others or to try to achieve an unrealistic standard of beauty. Instead, we should focus on self-acceptance and self-love, embracing our imperfections and recognizing that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.

Social media can also harm our body image and self-esteem by fostering negative comments and cyberbullying. Social media platforms allow individuals to comment and express their opinions on images and posts. Unfortunately, this can lead to negative comments and cyberbullying, which can harm our self-esteem and body image. Furthermore, social media can also contribute to a phenomenon called FOMO (fear of missing out). Social media creates a constant stream of images and posts from friends and acquaintances, making it easy to feel left out and like we are not living up to our peers’ expectations. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and selfdoubt.

So what can we do to mitigate the negative impacts of social media on our body image and self-esteem? Firstly, we can limit our social media use. We can set boundaries and allocate a specific amount of time to spend on social media. Secondly, we can unfollow accounts that promote unrealistic beauty standards and negative messaging. Instead, we can follow accounts that promote positive body image and self-esteem. Thirdly, we can seek support from mental health professionals if we are struggling with our body image and self-esteem. In conclusion, social media can have a significant negative impact on our body image and self-esteem. The constant exposure to perfect images, the culture of comparison, negative comments and cyberbullying, and FOMO can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. However, by taking steps to limit our social media use, unfollowing negative accounts, and seeking support, we can mitigate these negative aspects.

The online world creates unrealistic depictions of people through the use of filters, editing, and posing. These depictions can contribute to a distorted image of reality, promote a culture of perfectionism, and harm our self-esteem and body image. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the potential negative impacts of social media and to take steps to mitigate them. By focusing on self-acceptance, self-love, and seeking support when needed, we can navigate the world of social media in a healthy and positive way.

WRITTEN BY ANDRES SALAZAR

We’ve all been there: midterms or finals coming up, not getting enough sleep, not being able to decide whether to sleep or to study for another hour, or not having the time to make yourself a good meal because of it all. As unfortunate as it is, students often fall victim to this pattern. Stress stemming from academic circumstances is an all-too-common story. Having to deal with all of that can also be a real source of frustration for students, especially after the university and professors tell us to get some rest right before slapping us in the face with four presentations in one week and having three midterms in forty-eight hours.

All of this together paints a pretty grim picture. Finding joy in these moments of crippling stress is no easy feat, though not impossible either. Alleviating stress and the gloominess of student life doesn’t always need to be in big events. If anything, sometimes it’s the small things that count. It’s important to take even a couple of minutes to appreciate the things around us every day. Seeing as how we are entering one of the most physically and mentally challenging parts of the academic year, with final exams and assignments around the corner, we, here at the Meliorist, figured it was a good idea to inspire some reflection and some ideas on some of the small, daily things, to look forward to that could help you pull through one of the most pressured-filled moments.

If you ask any student what they miss most when studying for finals, one answer will stick out among the rest: sleep. Resting is one of the most important keys to success and a healthy mind. Unfortunately, that also seems to be one of the first things to be thrown out the window during this time of the year. When the semester gets busy, those small moments where you can get some shut-eye suddenly become as valuable as gold. Be sure to give yourself some opportunities throughout your studying and your planning to get some sleep. Even if it’s only for a fifteen-minute power nap, sometimes that’s the exact thing that you need to help you boost through the day. There’s not much that makes people feel happier than a solid, comfortable power nap after a busy day at the university.

With all the assignments and exams on your shoulders, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed and for confidence to wane. A simple mistake when studying can lower your confidence for a while, or the lack of sleep might make you feel like you’re just not in the right space of mind. However, even if you’re feeling down, getting a small compliment from someone can raise your spirits back to a place of happiness. Whether it’s for a nice outfit on the day or some kind words about how you’ve been working hard, small gestures of kindness like that can take away some of the heavy emotions you’ve been carrying. Though, as nice as it is to receive a compliment like that, it can be equally rewarding to send them out to others. This exam season, try giving out some nice words to friends and family who may be going through a rough couple of weeks. Those little moments of support can sometimes be what makes a bad day into a good one. In short, go compliment someone.

To-do lists are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they are an incredible tool for tracking what needs to be completed. On the other, they can be reminders of the things you have been nervous about tackling for the past couple of days. To-do lists can be daunting reminders of the stress that’s on your shoulders. Especially with the busy finals season, sometimes it seems that you have an infinite road ahead of you, and you’re just simply not ready for it. We often look at a partially finished list as incomplete. Instead of thinking in that way, looking at the small steps can be a great source of joy, as well as a reminder that it’s not always about the end result. Look at every step you take, big or small, as a victory. Suddenly, you’ll find your progress to be one of the things that keep you happy and feeling fresh throughout your journey. We’ve all heard of the expression “Rome wasn’t built in a day”, and as cheesy as it sounds when you’ve heard it over and over, the philosophy of it still remains relevant.

The pressures of the academic school year are no joke. They can wear down the toughest and the most prepared of students. When that happens, feelings of joy and satisfaction are not easy to come by. Victories don’t always have to be a gargantuan feat of strength or success. Instead, sometimes it’s the naps, the small compliments from a friend, or even the small step towards a larger goal that you need to feel a spark of joy While the stress of finals and assignments is a story that sounds too familiar to most of us, perhaps these examples can help us reflect and refocus on looking at the smaller moments that mean something.

How Social Media Can Contribute to Anxiety and Depression: What the Research Shows

Written by Daly Unger

The theme of The Meliorist this month is broadly ‘technology.’ As you read the various pieces featured in this issue, I hope it begins to paint a picture of the incredibly complex definition that technology has and its ever-presence in our lives. Although the university campus may be where groundbreaking new technologies are founded and implemented, the one that continues to be the most common and impactful in the life of the average student may be social media. A digital web of twenty-four-hour interconnection that makes us closer and more intimate than ever in human history and simultaneously more isolated than ever. Mental health struggles and post-secondary institutions are inextricably linked. The age group most likely to experience mental illness is 15-24 (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2022). That same age range accounts for more than 75% of Canadian students currently enrolled in universities (Statistics Canada, 2010). University campuses have always been places of incredible pressure and academic challenge. The semester leaves little time for the self as deadlines you navigate deadlines and prioritize studying. The proliferation of social media is a form of escapism. Endless scrolling allows students to escape their busy schedules mentally, but at a cost.

Depression and other mental health concerns among people in the 15-24 age range have constantly increased over the last decade (Treleaven, 2022). The rise is correlated to social media’s proliferation. A 2017 study examining 1787 social media users and their mental health demonstrated a strong and significant association between social media use and depression (Lin, 2016).

This is in part due to several factors:

• Eng aging in passive consumption of social media content, rather than actively communicating with others, has been linked to reduced bonding and fostering social connections and increased feelings of loneliness (Griffith, 2022).

• Frequent viewing of polished and perfected depictions of peers on social media can trigger envy and cause people to mistakenly believe that others have happier and more successful lives, leading to a sense of self-inferiority and depression over time (Griffith, 2022).

• Engaging in activities of little meaning on social media could lead to a feeling of “time wasted,” which may have a negative impact on one’s mood (Lin, 2016).

Ultimately, the campus can be a lonely place for students, especially as the semester wears on and your available time for socializing becomes scarce. The severing of social ties can already be detrimental to your mental health, but when coupled with the adverse effects of social media use, it can act as a catalyst to harm students further. In their 2022 study on social media and the prevalence of depression, Griffith, Lee, and Goksel found that the main thing social media stole from young adults was community, “the fundamental aspect of social cohesion and the staving off the societal prevalence of maladies, such as depression, rests upon maintaining social ties within society, which allow for meaningful interactions” (Griffith, 2022).

For this reason, social media in moderation and creating a social support net, especially during the already taxing times of the semester, are crucial for students to remember. The research shows that when times are challenging, the mind needs a community. Whether that be classmates, friends, family, or counselling services, social media is not a safe substitute for the real thing and may actually be contributing to the growth of anxiety and depression.

References

Most Canadian post-secondary students are grappling with mental health challenges two years after the start of COVID-19. (2022, September 26). thestar.com. https://www.thestar.com/news/ gta/2022/09/26/most-canadian-post-secondary-students-aregrappling-with-mental-health-challenges-two-years-after-the-startof-covid-19.html

Treleaven, S. (2022, November 15). Inside the mental health crisis at Canadian universities. Maclean’s Education. https://education. macleans.ca/feature/inside-the-mental-health-crisis-at-canadian-universities/

Griffith, D. A., Lee, H. S., & Yalcinkaya, G. (2022). The use of social media and the prevalence of depression: A multi-country examination of value Co-creation and consumer well-being. International Marketing Review, 39(1), 1-31.

Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., Hoffman, B. L., Giles, L. M., & Primack, B. A. (2016). Association between social media use and depression among U.S. Young adults. Depression and Anxiety, 33(4), 323-331.

Statistics Canada. (2010). Trends in the Age Composition of College and University Students and Graduates. Government Canada. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/81-004-x/2010005/ article/11386-eng.pdf ?st=YbcaOt_q

Written by Lauryn Evans

Reaching out for help can be difficult. It can feel scary, vulnerable, and confusing. Sometimes we cannot do things alone and need extra support, yet we need to figure out where to start or who to turn to. Realizing that you need help means you have the awareness to recognize that you cannot do this alone; for that first step, please be proud.

Asking for help often starts with having a conversation - who this conversation is with is up to you. Speaking to someone you trust, feel safe with, and can sit in vulnerability with is important. This can be a friend, a family member, or even someone in your workplace. When we try to contain our emotions by pushing our challenging and unwanted emotions away, all we are doing is creating distance with something that will inevitably come back. These are not experiences that we must go through alone. If you can, lean on your support system and let them help you carry all you are feeling and experiencing.

There are times when we may need more help than what our support system can offer us, which can also be difficult to navigate. While a support system is greatly beneficial, sometimes, we need to seek help from a licensed professional. There is a certain stigma that surrounds mental health, and these notions can make it challenging to acknowledge that we need help and can further inhibit us from reaching out. Seeking help from a professional, such as a therapist, a psychiatrist, or a support group, is a courageous thing to do, and for many of us, it can also be a necessity.

Self-awareness is important in recognizing you need extra support. The Jed Foundation (2000) highlights warning signs for serious mental health challenges:

Warning Signs: Mood Changes

• Feeling sad or “down” for long periods without a specific reason for the feeling, like the loss of a loved one

• Noticeable mood changes from very high, like euphoria, to very low, like deep sadness or depression

• Constantly or excessively worrying about a stressful event or incident

• Feeling empty or apathetic about aspects of life

• Outbursts of anger, hostility, or violence

• Having trouble relating to others’ thoughts and feelings or feeling empathetic and understanding of others

Warning Signs: Behavioural Changes

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

• Eng aging in self-injury behaviors, like cutting

• Feeling like you’ve “lost time” or have large gaps in memory

• Withdrawing from friends, family members, or social activities that you once enjoyed

• Experiencing delusions or beliefs in things that aren’t real

• Experiencing hallucinations or sensory experiences that feel real but are not. For example, hearing voices no one else can hear or feeling things crawling on your skin.

Warning Signs: Physical Changes

• Sudden sweating, nausea, increased heart rate, or troubled breathing along with intense worry or fear

• Disturbed sleeping patterns, either sleeping too much or too little

• Feeling fatigued regardless of how much sleep you get

• Noticeable changes in sex drive or sexual activity, including engaging in risky sexual behavior

• Noticeable changes in eating behaviors. For example, restricting your eating or binge eating, feeling fearful of foods for no apparent reason, or having body image issues related to weight or eating.”

While these are warning signs, it does not mean you are in immediate danger of experiencing a mental health crisis. However, they may be used as an indicator of experiencing emotional distress. If you recognize these warning signs, take a moment to check in with yourself and how you are feeling, notice what has been occupying your mind, and feel where these emotions and experiences lay in your body. You do not need to be in an active crisis to reach out for help; resources for mental health does not always function as only a preventive measure but also as self-care. If you feel you need extra support, please reach out for help.

Counselling services:

Phone: 403-317-2845

Email: counselling.services@uleth.ca

Location: Anderson Hall - AH153

References

Mental health warning signs and when to ask for help: Jed. The Jed Foundation. (2021, July 29). Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://jedfoundation. org/resource/mental-health-warning-signs-and-when-to-ask-for-help/

When we constantly seek external validation, we often feel unfulfilled. Seeking validation from our peers, loved ones, and family is a human thing, but it cannot be the only way we create selfworth. External validation not only feels good, but it is also a way for us to get confirmation that we are doing well in life, that we did the right thing, or that how we feel is justified. We often learn to value external validation as children. If you are a parent or have just been around a child in general, chances are you have experienced the “hey! Look at this!” from a child where they do some random (yet typically entertaining) action. You are to respond positively and with amazement. External validation makes us feel good, seen, and worthy. In many cases, it influences our self of sense.

While external validation is often crucial in childhood, it continues to offer us a different value than we get older. If we continue to only rely on others for validation as a means to feel confident in ourselves and for our self-esteem, then we will be met with continuous disappointment. We cannot rely on others to confirm our worth or to permit us to take up space. We need to learn how to nurture our self-worth and how to self-validate individually. Learning to do things for yourself and not others is a major step, and it can be extremely difficult. As children, we often strive to make our caregivers proud and seek acceptance; to be told “I’m proud of you” by our caregivers as children (and even adults) brings us comfort that we are doing good. We must learn to be able to be proud of ourselves and confident in our actions without feeling the necessity for external validation. It is a journey that many of us have been on, myself included.

Our self-worth must be tended to and nurtured through ourselves; we cannot completely depend on others to maintain our sense of self-worth. Self-worth, along with self-esteem, is crucial. These things influence our behaviours and actions, how we carry ourselves, the relationships in our lives, our individual patterns, and our relationship with ourselves, amongst others. I will say that our relationship with ourselves is the most important thing - nourishing our body, mind, emotions, and spirit encourages us to grow. We cannot rely on others to nourish these parts of ourselves alone, but it can be difficult to do this when external validation has been your source of nurturance for an extended period of time. While I do not hold any credentials that make me knowledgeable in this area, I am someone, too, who has been down this journey and still am. I can offer what I have learned from personal experience and through seeing those I love grow into themselves. This discussion requires vulnerability but also the ability to be able to laugh at ourselves as we reflect. Dear reader, I hope you will join me in this reflection and remain open and curious about yourself.

One of the silliest things for me to reflect on is my fashion choices. Like many, I was influenced by what was trending and what others my age were wearing. My knee-high boots and oversized sweaters with elbow patches will forever haunt me more than my emo phase (which I still stand by). When I chose what clothing to buy, I thought about what others were wearing, where they shopped, and how they wore it. When wearing these clothes to school, I would always wonder am I wearing this right? Do I look okay? Admittingly, it was not until university that I truly stepped into myself and explored my fashion more. I learned what feels good to me, what clothes I feel confident in, and that fashion is another way to express myself. Perhaps this may seem simple - to dress for yourself and not others. Yet, this was something I had to learn, and I’m sure others out there are learning this same thing. Now included in my fashion are funky prints that make me happy, fun earrings I have collected from local artists, and of course, my vast collection of groovy socks. 13-year-old emo Lauryn would never have imagined that a pair of her favourite pants would be multi-shades of orange with a 70’s vibe. By exploring fashion, I ultimately helped myself to become more comfortable in my own skin. I value self-expression strongly, and this expression exists in many more forms than just fashion. I have been able to express myself with my creative voice, spontaneous haircuts, and through piercings, and tattoos.

I learned that how I express myself will not always be accepted by others, and that is okay. Yet, I also feel gratification when this happens (me to my parents: “get ready to see your newest least favourite tattoo of mine”). If you have multiple nose piercings or even multiple facial piercings, have you ever been compared to a pin cushion too? It is easy for me to find humour in these situations because their opinions do not affect me, nor do they change my opinion on myself. Most of the time, when people tell me not to do something, it only makes me want to do it more (hi septum piercing and cutting over 15” of my hair off), but I always end up loving these choices nonetheless. Through my journey, I have come to love and embrace change, even when others may discourage it.

Being able to validate myself, not just through external forms as discussed above but also internally created a major shift in my realtionship with myself. It isn’t just about telling yourself that it is okay to feel the things that you do. It is about believing it and genuinely feeling those raw emotions. Of course, being able to do this takes more than just self-validation. For me, and for many others, I needed to work on my internal emotional dynamics in other ways to achieve this. If learning how to self-validate and nurture yourself takes outside resources such as your support system or a helping professional, that is valid and so very accepted. While this is a journey of developing and nurturing self-worth, it is still a journey you cannot do alone. It is okay to still rely on others when needed. My main point is that you cannot rely on others as your only means of self-worth.

I learned a lot of self-love through my relationships with others and the communities I belong to; I truly do not think I would have learned to love myself without connecting with others. One of the things that I am the most grateful for is having been able to bear witness to the growth of those I love and care for. To see them grow into themselves and also come to love the people they have become and have yet to be. It is a sacred thing to not only be able to share your growth with those around you but also to have your growth recognized and felt by others. As humans, we are constantly and forever changing and growing. I am not the same person I used to be five years ago or even three, and while I can recognize and feel this growth within myself, I know there are people who knew me from back then that will likely still hold me to the person I was then. It can be challenging to only be seen and held to past versions of yourself, but it is not up to you to prove to them that you have changed or grown. People will recognize your growth, or they won’t, but you must be able to recognize it yourself and still hold it to be true even when confronted by others who will never be able to see it.

Letting go of external validation is not easy, and it is difficult when you do not know where to start. Begin with reflecting, and here I will pose 11 questions:

1.When was the last time you did something for yourself and because it felt good for you?

2.How often do you find yourself being influenced by others?

3.How frequently are your thoughts occupied with how others view you?

4.Do you often find yourself doing things for others because it is expected of you?

5.What do you expect from yourself?

6.Are you proud of the person you are becoming? Where do you feel there is room for growth?

7.How have you helped yourself grow, and who/ what has supported you?

8.Are you kind towards yourself?

9.Do others’ opinions and beliefs about you control your own thoughts and feelings towards yourself?

10.In what ways do you practice self-love?

11.What do you love about yourself genuinely?

I hope you take the time to reflect on these questions with curiosity and empathy. Further, I hope that if this article has urged you to recognize the importance you hold external validation to. I sincerely hope you continue this journey after this article and after reflecting on these questions. May this be the start to a journey of learning and discover-ing yourself or perhaps further encouraged you along your journey of self-love, and also one that is healing. I, too, am on this journey with you. I wish you the best.

The perfectionism problem seems more common when speaking with people of the newer generation. Even people I talk with between the ages of 25-30 have expressed feeling overwhelmed by the need to execute tasks flawlessly Why is perfectionism becoming so prevalent in young adults and youth? It seems like more youth are succumbing to the pressures of the progression of society. However, there is more than one form of perfectionism, something that I learned while writing this article. Many scholars have advocated that there are at least three forms of perfectionism, self-orientated, socially prescribed, and other-oriented perfectionism also surmised under Multidimensional Perfectionism (Curran, 2019). What does this mean? According to Dr. Hewitt and Dr. Flett, who developed the Multidimensional Perfectionism model, perfectionism is the direction of perfectionistic beliefs and behaviors (Curran, 2019). When directed toward the self, individuals attach irrational importance to perfection, hold unrealistic expectations, and are punitive in their self-evaluations; known as self-oriented perfectionism (Curran, 2019). When perceived to come from others, individuals believe their social con-text is excessively demanding, that others judge them harshly, and that they must display perfection to secure approval (socially prescribed perfectionism) (Curran, 2019). When perfectionistic expectations are directed toward others, individuals impose unrealistic standards on those around them and evaluate others critically; known as other-oriented perfectionism(Curran,2019). With the different types of perfectionism defined, is there one more prevalent than the others?

How common is perfectionism? How do perfectionistic standards affect our perception of self and others? This article will attempt to answer these questions and examine how many people are affected by the perfectionist mindset and how it has affected their mental health. I will include a disclaimer here of upsetting topics like suicide, discrimination, and self-harm will be noted before going forward; please, dear reader, if you are struggling with your mental health, there are options for you.

The Reality Beset Upon Youth and Young Adults

With the global pandemic of Covid-19 still on the fluctuating roller coaster, it saw an increase in suicidal ideation and hospitalizations for suicide attempts in youth and children (Payne, 2023). The global study was led out of the University of Calgary and co-authored by researchers at the University of Ottawa and CHEO (Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario), where they discovered that visits for suicide attempts rose by 22% compared to rates before the pandemic (Payne, 2023). The team also discovered that depression and anxiety had doubled in children and adolescents during the first year of the pandemic (Payne, 2023). In the article, Payne failed to note the increase in hospitalizations, whether children and adolescents were hospitalized because of living situations, drugs, teenage pregnancy, isolation, or the suicidal ideation of anxiety and depression. The failure to note the reasoning could also not be the fault of Payne, as patients, especially minors, have a right to privacy. The fact is that suicidal attempts and ideation rose a significant 22% during the pandem-ic, meaning that children and adolescents were exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). An ACE is defined as any exposure to abuse (emotional, physical, sexual), neglect (emotional, physical), and/or family dysfunction (parental separation/divorce, a family member with mental illness and/or substance abuse, domestic violence, or family member incarcerated) (Chang, Hewitt, & Flett, 2019). ACEs can profoundly impact adult mental health, cognitive development, and physical adult health, and there can be lasting damage.

According to the Perfectionism Social Disconnection Model (PSDM) and the Social Reaction Model of Perfectionism created in collaboration with Dr. Hewitt and Dr. Flett, childhood adversity or maltreatment is a critical vulnerability factor for developing perfectionistic traits and behav-iors later in life (Chang, Hewitt, & Flett, 2019). Although, Chang, Hewitt, & Flett recognize in their article that the link between ACEs and perfectionism has not been studied at a systemic level yet. However, “according to the PSDM and the Social Reaction Model of Perfectionism, perfectionism develops partly in response to adverse parenting behav-iors and childhood traumatic experiences that, in the past, fostered feelings of despair, shame/defectiveness, powerlessness, and a lack of felt security,” (Chang, Hewitt, & Flett, 2019). So, many children and adolescents during the pandemic experienced an adverse childhood so intensely that it drove them to suicidal ideation and attempts, which could mean a challenging adulthood for them. However, how does this apply to adults struggling with perfectionism?

Set up for Failure?

The ACEs and the PSDM may have sounded all too familiar to some. I am not here to diagnose anyone, let alone provide a diagnosis for anyone reading this article. However, noting how many people express perfectionistic traits because of an adverse childhood is curious. According to a study conducted by McMaster University, “researchers estimate that around three in every five Canadian adults aged 45 to 85 have been exposed to ‘adverse childhood experiences,’ including abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence, or other household adversity” (Rankin, 2021). The study, conducted by lead author Divya Joshi, “said that men reported more physical abuse, while women reported greater exposure to sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence and living with a family member with mental health problems,” (Rankin, 2021). A more significant proportion of women also reported from the study that they experi-enced four or more ACEs; curiously enough, those who reported greater exposure included people younger than 65, women, those with less education, lower annual household income, and those of non-heterosexual orientation (Rankin, 2021). Dr. Divya Joshi enlightens Rankin by reporting that over 62% of Canadians have reported experiencing at least one ACE (Rankin, 2021). What is incredibly alarming to know is that over half the population of Canada has experi-enced an ACE, and this is not common knowledge to know. How can people function and handle the burdens of ACEs? This is a rhetorical question but a fascinating one to note because ACEs can manifest in someone in adulthood and have severe repercussions on someone’s health.

So, how can perfectionism manifest because of ACEs? Many factors can contribute to whether perfectionism develops. According to the website GoodTherapy, these are some of the factors that can cause perfectionism to manifest:

• The frequent fear of disapproval from others or feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.

• Mental health issues can contribute to symptoms of perfectionism, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is important to note that there is a correlation between OCD and perfectionism that has been found to exist. However, not all people with perfectionism have OCD, and not all people with OCD are perfectionists (n.a., 2019)

• A parent who exhibits perfectionistic behavior or disapproves when their children’s efforts do not result in perfection. Some parents may encourage their children to succeed in every area or push perfection on them to the extent that can be considered abusive (n.a., 2019).

• An insecure early attachment. People with troubled attachments to parents when they were young may experience difficulty self-soothing as adults (n.a., 2019). They may have trouble accepting a good outcome if it is not perfect.

• People with a history of high achievement sometimes feel overwhelming pressure to live up to their previous achievements. This often leads them to engage in perfectionistic behavior. Children frequently praised for their accomplishments may feel pressure to keep achieving as they age, which can also cause perfectionistic tendencies (n.a., 2019).

After reviewing the evidence of the detriments of perfectionistic traits and symptoms on an individual’s psyche and physical health, why do we still adhere to society’s brutal nature and pressures? This is an openended question that does not have a correct an-swer. However, with this information in mind, we can take steps to alleviate pressures on one another and create a safe community for all. An idealist belief but a belief that rings with reason and truth. The choice to learn and grow as people will still be an individual’s choice.

If you struggle with mental health problems, please reach out; there is help. I would like to take a moment to talk about GoodTherapy. After extensive research on the website to determine its credibility, I can safely say that it is very informative and helpful in understanding the effects of perfectionism on adults and making others consciously aware of mental health. Mental health resourc-es are available for all, and you can access their online therapy services with certified therapists.

Counselling Services at the University of Lethbridge: Counselling.Services@uleth.ca. (403)-317-2845

Wellness Together Canada: 1-866-585-0445 (free) 24/7 phone counselling services

Distress line of Southwestern Alberta: (403)-327-7905 or 1-888-787-2880

Websites: https://www.goodtherapy.org/ https://www.betterhelp.com/

References (2019). “Perfectionism.” GoodTherapy. https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism

Chang Chen, Paul L, Hewitt, & Gordon L. Flett. (2019). “Adverse childhood experiences and multidimensional perfectionism in young adults.” Personality and Individual Differences. Volume 146. Pages 53–57. ISSN 0191-8869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. paid.2019.03.042.

Curran, T. (2019). “Perfectionism Is Increasing Over Time: A Meta-Analysis of Birth Cohort Differences From 1989 to 2016.” American Psychological Association. Vol. 145, No. 4, 410–429. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bul0000138.

Payne, E. (2023). “ ‘Kids are not alright,’ say authors of study on rise in pediatric suicide attempts during pandemic.” Ottawa Citizen. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/kids-are-not-alright-say-authors-of-study-on-rise-in-pediatric-suicide-attempts-during-pandemic

Rankin, C. (2021). “3 in 5 middle-aged and older Canadians had ‘traumatic’ childhood experiences: report.” CBC News. https://www. cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/adverse-childhood-experiences-study-1.5956525.

Why is social media so addictive?

Social media companies exploit the reward systems of our brain in much the same way as a slot machine. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for, among many other body functions, pleasure. The reward system must be continually stimulated to ensure a sustained dopamine release. Wise & Robbie indicate that “[p]eriods of maximal uncertainty of reward delivery cause sustained activation of the dopamine system” (Wise & Robbie, 2020). The uncertainty of reward, in other words, not knowing what your reward will be or when it will come, is the vital mechanism that keeps us in a state of anticipation. Burhan & Moradzadeh indicate that “playing on a machine in a casino there is noted to be an intense anticipatory period. It is at this stage that the dopamine neurons are very active and firing away” (Burhan & Moradzadeh, 2020). It is thus the goal of companies who peddle addictive products to “keep us in the pocket” somewhere between the anticipation of pleasure, and pleasure itself, intentionally creating a feedback loop that leads to addiction.

In 2006, Aza Razkin invented the automatic scroll. The idea behind this technology, says Ramsay Brown, a trained neuroscientist, is to block the narrative function of our brains. Brown indicates that “Our brain naturally sorts things . . . into a beginning, middle and end. If you remove the ‘end’ signal – by using the infinite scroll feature on social media – the brain doesn’t know when it should stop, and so it just keeps going” (Fox, 2018). Autoscroll allows users to surf through an immense amount of content in a short period of time, but Raskin, its inventor, has had his reservations since its launch: