Psychiatrist on why ignoring negative emotions can backfire
(CBS, KYMA/KECY) - We've all heard the advice to look on the bright side of life, but staying positive has its limits.
Experts warn too much positive thinking can lead to "toxic positivity," the tendency to dismiss negative emotions instead of working them through, forcing optimism instead, and it can lead to emotionally invalidating other people's feelings.
That poses the possible danger of loneliness, anxiety and depression, a decline in physical health, and emotional isolation.
"Being toxically positive is asking someone to selectively only look at the good of a situation when there is so much bad happening at the same time and it doesn't allow the person to process it. So it's saying forget about it, ignore it, pretend it doesn't exist, and isn't life just wonderful. Which it is, but a person has to come to that on their own terms through processing the grief and the loss and eventually making meaning of it."
Dr. Sue Varma, psychiatrist
In her book, "Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being," Dr. Sue Varma suggests avoiding phrases that invalidate a person's feelings, like "You're overreacting," "Don't be so sensitive," "Just let it go," and "You're making a big deal out of nothing."
