Milestone

What is Milestone?

The word “milestone” comes from the Latin phrase milia passuum (pronounced MEE-lee-ah PASS-oo-um), which means “a thousand paces.” Life’s milestones aren’t physical objects; rather, they’re moments of inner strength and courage. A milestone represents the steps in our human capacity for self-mastery and our compensatory abilities—traits that foster grit and resilience.

The milestones of life are often disguised as obstacles. Marcus Aurelius once said, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” When we encounter resistance, it becomes a moment of transformation—a milestone of confronting weakness, adapting, and emerging (even if only a little) stronger. It is not a smooth path that makes us stronger. It is not the easy path that forges our character. Character development is at the heart of what we do. And indeed, we are good at what we do…

Discover More

Why Is Milestone A Right Fit?

Quite frankly, we are badasses at what we do. We love and are passionate about helping young adults reach their full potential. Milestone takes seriously and strives to help our young adults never surrender their values to the world's pressures. We help our participants rebel against anything that threatens to compromise their character. We strive to be the mountain fear and doubt crash against. "By endurance we conquer." Milestone believes in the process of change and developing resilience for young adults aged 18 to 28. Our young adults overcome behaviors and emotional challenges that interfere with developing the skills they need to enjoy life more fully. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. Typically, most of our young adults work on dealing with and overcoming:

Depression

Depression in young adults, like in any age group, is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and other symptoms that significantly impact daily life and functioning.

What it is:

Depression is a mood disorder that can affect anyone, including young adults, and is more than just feeling sad or "blue" for a few days. It's a persistent and pervasive feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of depression in young adults can include: Persistent sadness or low mood

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities

Changes in appetite or weight

Sleep disturbances (insomnia or oversleeping)

Fatigue or loss of energy

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

Thoughts of death or suicide

Irritability or anger

Withdrawal from social activities

Impact:

Depression can significantly impact a young adult's ability to function in school, work, and relationships. It can also lead to other mental health problems, such as anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders.

Seeking help:

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. Treatment options include therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD):

Depression that lasts for longer than one year in teenagers (and longer than two years in adults) is considered to be persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia.

Trauma

Trauma refers to a deeply distressing experience, whether a single event or a series of events, that causes significant emotional and/or physical harm or a threat to one's safety or well-being.

Definition: Trauma, as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that an individual experiences as physically or emotionally harmful or life-threatening.

Examples of Traumatic Events:

These can include, but are not limited to, accidents, natural disasters, witnessing or experiencing violence, abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual), neglect, bullying, or the death of a loved one.

"Big T" vs. "Little t" Trauma:

"Big T" trauma: refers to life-threatening events or situations, such as natural disasters, violent crimes, or serious accidents.

"Little t" trauma: refers to events that, while not necessarily life-threatening, cause significant distress and can include breakups, job loss, or being rejected by a friend group.

Trauma's Impact:

Trauma can have a profound and lasting impact on a young adult's mental and emotional well-being, potentially leading to a range of symptoms, including:

Emotional: Anxiety, depression, anger, fear, difficulty regulating emotions, feeling numb or detached.

Behavioral: Withdrawal from social activities, substance abuse, self-harm, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep patterns, and changes in appetite.

Physical: Headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, and other physical symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

In some cases, trauma can lead to the development of PTSD, a mental health condition characterized by persistent symptoms of anxiety, fear, and avoidance behaviors related to the traumatic event.

Seeking Help:

If a young adult is struggling with trauma or related symptoms, it's crucial to seek professional help. Therapists and counselors can provide support and guidance in processing the trauma and developing healthy coping mechanisms.

Anxiety

Anxiety in young adults, like in any age group, is characterized by excessive worry, fear, and nervousness that can interfere with daily life, and may include physical symptoms like racing heart or difficulty breathing.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a common human emotion, a feeling of unease, worry, or fear, often associated with a perceived or real threat.

While normal anxiety is a temporary response to stress, anxiety disorders involve persistent and excessive worry that can significantly impact daily life.

Anxiety can manifest in various ways, including:

Physical symptoms: Increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, difficulty breathing, stomachaches, headaches.

Mental symptoms: Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, feeling on edge, difficulty relaxing.

Behavioral symptoms: Avoidance of situations, withdrawal from social activities, irritability.

Anxiety can be a normal reaction to stress, but it becomes a problem when it's persistent, intense, and interferes with daily activities.

Types of Anxiety Disorders in Young Adults:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD):

Characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as school, work, relationships, or health.

Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia):

Involves an intense fear of social situations where the individual may be judged, embarrassed, or humiliated.

Panic Disorder:

Involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear or discomfort.

Specific Phobias:

Involve an intense and irrational fear of specific objects or situations, such as heights, animals, or public speaking

ADHD

In young adults, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a developmental disorder characterized by persistent symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that significantly interfere with daily functioning and developmental.

What it is: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects brain development, leading to difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Symptoms:

Inattention: Difficulty focusing, staying on task, organizing, and following instructions.

Hyperactivity: Excessive movement, restlessness, fidgeting, and difficulty sitting still.

Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting others, and having difficulty waiting their turn.

Types of ADHD:

Predominantly Inattentive: Primarily struggles with inattention symptoms.

Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive: Primarily struggles with hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms.

Combined Presentation: Exhibits a combination of both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms.

Impact: ADHD can significantly impact various aspects of a young adult's life, including:

Academic Performance: Difficulty concentrating, organizing, and completing tasks.

Social Relationships: Impulsivity and difficulty managing emotions can lead to conflicts.

Work/Career: Problems with attention, organization, and impulsivity can affect job performance.

Daily Functioning: Difficulty with time management, organization, and self-regulation can impact daily routines.

Diagnosis: ADHD is typically diagnosed by a mental health professional or doctor through a comprehensive evaluation that may include interviews, questionnaires, and observations.

Treatment: ADHD is treatable through a combination of approaches, including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes

Relationship Struggles

Relationship Struggles encompass difficulties in forming, maintaining, or navigating romantic, platonic, and family relationships, often stemming from factors like identity exploration, transitioning into adulthood, and unresolved issues from past relationships.

Types of Relationships Affected:

Romantic Relationships:

Young adults often grapple with finding and maintaining healthy romantic relationships, navigating the complexities of dating, and dealing with potential breakups or relationship challenges.

Platonic Relationships:

Building and maintaining friendships can also be a challenge, especially as young adults move to new cities, jobs, or educational settings, leading to changes in social circles and potential isolation.

Family Relationships:

The transition into adulthood can create distance or conflict with family members, as young adults seek greater independence and establish their own lives.

Common Challenges:

Identity Formation: Young adults are still exploring their identities and values, which can lead to conflict or misunderstanding in relationships as they try to define themselves and their place in the world.

Unresolved Issues: Past experiences, particularly those related to relationships, can significantly impact how young adults navigate current relationships.

Communication Problems: Difficulty expressing needs, setting boundaries, or resolving conflicts can lead to strained relationships.

Insecurity and Low Self-Worth: Young adults may struggle with insecurity, low self-esteem, or fear of rejection, which can negatively impact their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships.

Fear of Commitment: Some young adults may fear commitment or intimacy, leading to difficulties in forming long-term relationships.

Different Expectations: Young adults may have different expectations, needs, and preferences that may not always align with their partner's, leading to conflict or misunderstandings.

Navigating Different Values: Young adults may struggle to navigate different values, beliefs, and priorities within a relationship.

Relationship Turbulence: Relationship turbulence theory suggests that ongoing exposure to polarizing experiences such as jealousy, goal-blocking, closed communication, avoidance of difficult topics, and taking conflict personally can cause a couple's connection to deteriorate.

Isolation: Poor romantic relationships that lack intimacy, few or no relationships with friends and family, and a weak social support network can lead to isolation.

Neurodiverse

Neurodiverse young adults are those whose brains function differently than what's considered "typical," encompassing conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities, and who may experience the world in unique ways.

Neurodiversity:

The term "neurodiversity" acknowledges that human brains vary in how they function, and that these differences are a natural part of human variation.

Neurodivergent Individuals:

Individuals who are neurodivergent may have brains that process information, learn, and behave differently from what's considered "typical".

Examples of Neurodivergent Conditions:

Common conditions associated with neurodiversity include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning disabilities like dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

Unique Strengths and Challenges:

Neurodivergent individuals may have unique strengths and abilities, but they may also face challenges in areas like social interaction, sensory processing, or academic tasks.

Neurodiversity as a Social Justice Movement:

Neurodiversity is also seen as a social justice movement that promotes acceptance and inclusion of all people, regardless of their neurological differences.

Not a Deficit:

The neurodiversity paradigm views these differences as strengths and not as deficits that need to be "fixed".

Neurotypical:

Neurotypical individuals are those whose brains function within the average range of functioning and thinking.

Maladaptive Copings

In young adults, Maladaptive Coping refers to unhealthy or ineffective strategies used to deal with stress or difficult emotions, which, while providing temporary relief, ultimately hinder adaptation and lead to further problems.

Maladaptive coping mechanisms are behaviors or thought patterns that, while seemingly helpful in the short term, ultimately worsen a person's ability to cope with stress or navigate life's challenges.

Examples:

Avoidance: Steering clear of stressful situations or emotions (e.g., procrastination, denial, physical avoidance).

Substance abuse: Using drugs or alcohol to numb emotions or escape problems.

Emotional numbing: Suppressing or avoiding feelings rather than processing them.

Social withdrawal: Isolating oneself from social interactions.

Gambling or excessive spending: Engaging in risky behaviors to temporarily feel better.

Overeating or undereating: Using food as a way to cope with emotions.

Aggression or outbursts: Expressing anger or frustration in unhealthy ways.

Passive-aggressiveness: Expressing negative feelings indirectly.

Why they're problematic:

Maladaptive coping strategies can lead to a cycle of negative emotions and behaviors.

They can negatively impact relationships, work, and overall well-being.

They can mask underlying emotional issues, preventing individuals from addressing the root causes of their distress.

Adaptive coping vs. Maladaptive coping:

Adaptive coping mechanisms are healthy and effective strategies that help individuals manage stress and achieve positive outcomes.

Importance of seeking help:

If you or someone you know is struggling with maladaptive coping, seeking professional help can be beneficial. Milestones Clinical Team can help individuals identify and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier coping strategies.

Processing Speed Gaps

Processing Speed is the cognitive ability to quickly and efficiently process information, encompassing tasks like reading, understanding instructions, making decisions, and responding in conversations.

Gaps:

"Gaps" in this context suggest that some young adults may have slower processing speeds compared to their peers, which can manifest as taking longer to complete tasks, struggle with following instructions, or having difficulty keeping up in conversations.

Potential Challenges:

Slowed processing speed can lead to challenges in academic performance, social interactions, and even daily tasks.

Examples:

Struggling to keep up in fast-paced conversations

Needing more time to complete assignments or tests

Difficulty following complex instructions

Missing social cues or nuances in communication

Having trouble remembering information or making decisions quickly

Possible Causes:

Processing speed differences can be influenced by various factors, including brain differences, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Impact:

Slower processing speed can affect academic performance, social interactions, and overall functioning.

Not a Lack of Intelligence:

It's important to note that slow processing speed is not the same as a lack of intelligence, and individuals with high intelligence can still experience slower processing speeds.

Screen Addiction

Screen addiction, also known as problematic screen use or excessive screen time, refers to a compulsive and excessive use of digital devices, such as smartphones, computers, and tablets, that leads to negative consequences in daily life.

Individuals with screen addiction may exhibit the following characteristics:

Excessive screen time: Spending significantly more time on screens than intended or recommended.

Preoccupation with screens: Constantly thinking about or planning their next screen use.

Loss of control: Difficulty reducing or stopping screen use despite negative consequences.

Neglecting other activities: Spending less time on important activities such as work, school, relationships, or sleep.

Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing anxiety, irritability, or difficulty concentrating when unable to use screens.

Negative impacts: Screen addiction can lead to physical problems such as eye strain, sleep disturbances, and obesity, as well as mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

The Team

It goes without question that every successful person in history had a support system consisting of some mentor or coach that inspired, guided, and gave honest feedback. At Milestone, creating habits for a more purpose filled life is central to our approach. We focus on guiding participants in character development that prioritizes universal laws and principled, centered ways of being. Through collaboration with our young adults and their team, we identify and implement strategies for healthy living. Milestone coaches (College, Career & Readiness Coach, Clinical Coach, Executive Functioning Coach, and more) work closely with participants to establish balanced routines of various activities that support the emotional, physical, and social parts of our young adult lives. Our young adult team will be your biggest cheerleaders and become life long friends.