This is free advice from a medium expensive counselor who mostly works on insurance reimbursement:
Most modern pop psychology is finding a way to repackage “try not to think about it” into more palatable terms because a great deal of “mental illness” is directly attributable to systemic issues that have no end in sight
systemic issues that have no end in sight
Some would disagree, just ask scientists how long the current trajectory can remain.
I’m not a therapist but I’ve certainly visted more than my share.
“try not to think about it” is pretty much the antithesis of modern therapy.
directly attributable to systemic issues that have no end in sight
this part is true.
Broadly there are several potential solutions:
Firstly, changing the way that we think about events. If my company is insolvent would that mean I’m a bad business person or would it mean the economy is a mess. This is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - changing the behavior of our thought processes.
Secondly, accepting that things might go wrong and not being paralysed by that fear. My company might become insolvent, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it did, I’m going to take action to mitigate that problem. This is Acceptance Commitment Therapy - accepting the risk of bad things and committing to some kind of action.
Thirdly, living in the moment, observing thoughts both positive and negative coming and going. This is mindfulness.
In summary, anxiety or worry is a healthy and normal part of human existence. We’re hard wired to avoid threats and we do that by foreseeing risks and planning around them. Trying not to worry is how the healthy and normal experience becomes debilitating.
I’m sure a real therapist will be along any moment to tell me all about how wrong my summary is. I’m ok with that.
“Doc, I feel like I’m always being watched and the world is hurdling towards ruin”
1976: you’re paranoid and crazy
2026: sometimes being well-informed can be mentally taxing and you need to take a break
I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow to find out why my legs have been weak and unsteady. For fun.
Am I… am I doing this right? Did I cure anxiety yet?
You’re doing it! You’re doing it!
“Have you tried just not having anxiety?”
If you’re anxious. just relax.
If you’re depressed, just cheer up.
You’re so generous giving out advice like that for free.
Big “just stop being sad” energy
So I’ve tried to this and it doesn’t work.
I tried going to work for fun, but it wasn’t and I suspect that if I leave early that won’t be fun either.
Have anxiety? Try having fun instead!
Cool.
What kind of freaking sociopath would go on a job interview for fun?
If I was independently wealthy and didn’t need a job, I still wouldn’t go to a job interview for fun.
Companies often do job interviews “for fun”, since they already have a candidate and you have no chance from the beginning.
One time, in the days before covid, I had an audition that I had to drive 4 hours to get to. I was scheduled at the end of the day, and I could tell that they had already made up their mind, and that they were just using this particular audition to have fun and fuck with me.
All I could do was make sure they didn’t have fun. Long ass drive home, though
Is this supposed to be a joke about shitty overpriced psychologists? It’s hard for me to tell. It’s kinda the anxiety equivalent of telling someone with depression to just not be sad, which I guess is funny, a little.
I’m 50/50 on whether this person is being an ignorant ass or trying to make a joke.
One must imagine Sisyphus having fun
The myth of Sisyphus isn’t really about causing anxiety…
but anxiety is totally about sisyphus
It can be.
I guess I don’t want to shit on this advice too much, for non-pathological anxiety it can be helpful. Reframing situations to be less intense is a useful tool in your mental toolbox to alleviate stress.
However, pathological anxiety isn’t really related to the importance ascribed to a situation. Here’s some things that cause my anxiety to be an issue:
- Self-flagellation - Let’s spend the afternoon, evening and all night reliving every mistake I’ve made since childhood.
- Ego dystonic intrusive thoughts - “If you cut your throat with a sharp enough knife it won’t even hurt.” Thanks brain, very helpful.
- Nothing at all - “Hey who wants to have a panic attack for absolutely no reason? You do!”
I don’t think “Do it for fun” is amazing advice for these situations. I’ll stick to my meds and my doctor’s advice.
I have a very hard time reframing things - it always feels like i am lying to myself, and therefor it doesn’t work. Anyone else here having that issue too?
Have you tried reframing things for fun?
Yeah this shit is why I rely on chemical help instead of paying these kranks.
nah a shift in perspective is how you truly heal, chemical help makes you reliant. it’s important to start with it so you can rest from constant anxiety, but it’s not going to fix you, you fix you
and what that guy is saying is a valid method of dealing with anxiety that has allowed me to heal step by step
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Be enthusiastic about not starving to death.
How are you not starving in this economy?
With enthusiasm.