Microblog Memes

"Have you tried just not having anxiety?"

this is why psychiatrists are useless most of the time--they've never experienced what you're going through.

'just have fun' lol.

the entire reason you have anxiety is that you're incapable of achieving that mindset. it takes A LOT of work to undo all those crossed wires.

this advice is like dumb shit in a hollywood movie, like when good will hunting is cured because he gets a hug and someone tells him that 'it's not your fault.'

Big "just stop being sad" energy

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:

1. Self-flagellation - Let's spend the afternoon, evening and all night reliving every mistake I've made since childhood.
2. Ego dystonic intrusive thoughts - "If you cut your throat with a sharp enough knife it won't even hurt." Thanks brain, very helpful.
3. 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.

>Just don't worry bro lol

Thanks I'm cured

I'm supporting my family for fun!

Dreading that colonoscopy? Woo-hoo! Make it party time!

What if I don't think those things are fun?

Yeah this shit is why I rely on chemical help instead of paying these kranks.

Also remeber, that the other person is either masking or also "doing it for fun".

Edit: i mean it with "person". Ghouls and zombies don't count.

Have anxiety? Try having fun instead!

Cool.

What kind of freaking sociopath would go on a job interview for fun?

Think heart surgeons follow this mantra?

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

If you're anxious. just relax.

If you're depressed, just cheer up.

Thanks! I'm cured!

Yes and take a breath or two and smile as you do!

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.

thanks, i'm cured.

From time to time I get into this headspace and it really make my life easier, it is just hard to get to the zone.

To have healthcare in the United States relies on a job so it inevitably makes it a literal life or death for some…

Bring down capitalism FOR FUN.

I know a lot of people in the comments don't like this. And they're perfectly valid. One solution doesn't work for everyone and it misses a lot of nuance.

That being said, I actually did something like this for my social anxiety, which was damn near debilitating. I had to constantly remind myself that none of what I'm doing is risky or dangerous. Im just gonna roll with the punches. And if I do something that I might cringe about later, fuck it. Do i really care about what strangers think? And if the people I do know are of any value, they won't chastize me for being a bit odd. So just own it.

This took years to get through. I basically brute forced myself through the social interactions until the anxiety was nowhere near as strong. I still have it, but my job forces me to talk to new people all the time. It got manageable. Maybe something like that could work for someone else.

This is not medical advice, and I strongly suggest you talk with a therapist if you have these issues. I was just too poor to do anything else about it.

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?