Why I Hate When Publications Say You Can 'Beat' or 'Overcome' Anxiety

Because I’ve been writing about stress, anxiety and overthinking for the past two years, nearly every day I receive a new trending anxiety article via text or Facebook messenger from a smart, well-read friend or family member. The piece usually gives advice on how you can “beat,” “overcome,” “conquer” and “escape” anxiety.

I always stand at my computer and groan. This is perceived as what will garner clicks. Whether the writer chose the title or not, this is often how anxiety articles are framed and sold.

The problem is: what gets clicks wends its way into hearts and minds. This framing will not help people who actually have anxiety. In fact, it only exacerbates the problem. In my experience, those of us who have anxiety are always looking for answers. We Google until our fingers are numb. We read every book we can find. We covertly study. We slyly interview. We believe that if we work hard enough, we will find a way to beat, escape or conquer anxiety.

Alas, all of this trying and searching is only adding to our anxiety. It is part of the problem, not the solution. There is no path “out of” anxiety. If you have an anxiety disorder, then anxiety will likely be some part of your entire life. Does this mean you can’t be happy? No. You can find many ways to feel safe and comfortable with who you are, anxiety and all. Here’s a good place to start. But the false promise these headlines are selling in order to get your click — that you can no longer feel the pressure of anxiety if you just read what someone else did to work on theirs — is a lie. And it needs to stop.

We all need to stand up to clickbait anxiety titles, but this critique is really aimed at my fellow writers. Ask yourself, “Do I really mean what I’m saying when I write “beat anxiety?” Or am I just wanting a dopamine hit from getting a bunch of clicks?” If it’s the latter, then perhaps you too need to ride the wave and adjust your expectations.

What I want people with anxiety to know: you’re not alone in feeling confused. There are many tactics to try, but since no two anxieties are the same, what worked for others won’t always work for you. Keep experimenting and you will find calmer, happier shores. And good luck on that wave!

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Unsplash photo via Steinar Engeland