At some point in our lives, we have all felt anxious about something we were experiencing or would experience in our immediate future. This is completely normal and part of being human. For instance, you may have felt anxious leading up to an upcoming test, job interview, first date or even felt it in the middle of a presentation, performance review, etc. For many of us, this anxious feeling likely went away after using various coping strategies like taking a deep breath, saying positive thoughts, etc. For some the feelings dissipated after actually confronting the event, at which point you were then completely comfortable in the situation. Keeping our personal experiences in mind, it is important to note that for someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, "getting over it" is much more involved than 10 deep breaths and an internal monologue with phrases like "it's okay." In today's post we dive into a discussion around the sarcastic depictions of anxiety disorder treatments that we see posted all over social media.
Link for image: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/266205027949295927/
Everyone reading this who suffers from anxiety disorder is probably screaming, "I WISH!" If only it were that easy to treat anxiety. Similar to some of the earlier posts on this blog, the criteria noted here would mean that we all can suffer from an anxiety disorder simply by caring. Additionally, we are implying that a change in a mindset is as simple as just "forgetting it." Again, images like these are minimizing the severity of the disorder as well as the complexity of treatment. When I read this card, I get the impression that those who suffer from anxiety should be able to quickly turn it on and off. These impressions therefore could impact my ability to show empathy and understanding for the severity of this disorder. When these messages permeate, those of us who do not suffer from anxiety struggle to understand why those affected are so debilitated. There's also a chance that people who suffer from anxiety also internalize these messages and feel frustrated and defeated with the treatment process. Therapists and psychologists working with these patients may need to spend a great deal of time working through these misconceptions and frustrations so that they can learn to accept their anxiety and be patient with their recovery. There also may need to be a layer to the treatment where they discuss how to educate the client's loved ones to break down their misconceptions as well. Therefore, treatment extends beyond coping strategies to addressing societal pressures and stigmas around the disorder.
Link for image: http://www.kappit.com/img/90153/going-on-klonopin-is-the-new-vacation/
We now shift our focus from the easy treatment of "forgetting about it" to the "joy of medication." In today's society, medication can often be the go-to treatment for disorders since it involves the least amount of work. In the picture above, Klonopin, an anxiety medication, is depicted as such a relief that it feels like a vacation. For those of us reading this, we may then assume that a quick pop of a pill is the cure-all for anxiety. However, this depiction of anxiety medication is missing some pertinent information. First, finding the medication that works best for you can take an extensive trial-and-error process, which can be extremely exhausting and frustrating. Second, many of these medications have less-than-desired side effects that sometimes are not worth it despite the relief from anxious symptoms. It's definitely not just a "good time." Third, medication is not a cure-all - psychotherapy is a key component of the treatment process that is left out here. This depiction leaves me feeling disheartened and almost annoyed because I know there is no such thing as a "vacation" from a mental illness. It also worries me for my future as a therapist because I know many people have internalized these messages and may therefore not want to do the work in psychotherapy. Therapists and psychologists today likely have clients that come in expecting a one-time visit for medication. Therefore, they may lack the motivation to engage in psychotherapy, which will negatively impact their recovery. Additionally, they may become quickly frustrated if their medication regimen is not working or if they're not experiencing that "vacation" when they take it. It's important that we bring to light the reality of medication so that people understand the complexity of treatment and have patience with themselves and their psychologists through the process.
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