Toxic Positivity: A New Mental Health Problem

 

When the situation demands a positive outlook, no matter how difficult the situation, it is toxic positivity.  In other words, it is an approach demanding positive thoughts in any circumstance and no place for negative emotions.

Being optimistic always is beneficial for mental health, but there is a danger of toxic positivity because life isn’t always positive. You cannot maintain a positive outlook in many situations. You cannot always use the words, it happened for good. Painful emotions and experiences are part of life. Unpleasant situations need an open and honest acceptance for greater psychological health.

Through toxic positivity, the importance of optimism is stressed. It denies that there are any human emotions that are strictly positive or happy.

• How to Define Toxic Positivity

During bad circumstances like losing a job, people sympathize while saying to see the bright side or stay positive. But the sufferer’s thoughts could be different from those standing in sympathy.

It is a trick to avoid another person’s pain while uttering words like things happen for good. The sympathizer is aware that he is confronting pain, but he is unaware of the other person's thought process. Choosing not to be happy during negative emotions is one’s own fault.

• Toxic Positivity Could be Harmful

Too much positivity isn’t good for those going through difficult times. It appears shameful because toxic positivity tells people that their feelings during bad times are not acceptable.

A feeling of guilty consciousness may occur at the time of tragedy because you are unable to find a way to remain positive in such a situation.

It is cruel to say that one should always see the brighter side of things when someone is going through intense pain, like losing a job, loss of loved ones, illness, or financial troubles.

• What are the signs of Toxic Positivity?

People brush off problems instead of facing them. Real feelings are hidden behind the feel-good quotes acceptable to society. Other people’s feelings that make you uncomfortable are minimized. Guilty feelings occur due to sadness, disappointment, and anger.

• How to Avoid Toxic Positivity

Developing a viewpoint that it's wrong to have negative feelings can be avoided while accepting that it isn’t realistic to be ok in all circumstances. Also not feeling ok should be acceptable.

There is no need to deny the emotions. In fact, they should be managed. Unchecked negative emotions may lead to stress. The negative emotions may provide some information that could be helpful in the future.

It is good to show support to others while listening to them. There is no need to shut people down through toxic positivity when they are expressing difficult emotions. Empathizing and accepting feelings and emotions boosts people who are going through bad circumstances.

If someone is mentally healthy, it does not mean that they never feel bad. Ignoring sadness doesn’t make people stronger. There is a need to deal with emotions in a better way. Feeling kind to oneself is a sort of acknowledgment of your feelings that you can turn stronger.