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Spectator
18-07-2025
- Health
- Spectator
Trump's right, there's power in positive non-thinking
Though I'm no fan of Donald Trump, time and again I'm delighted by the alternately crazy and sane things he says, and the way he knows the difference; he's the antithesis of our politicians, who say crazy things they sincerely believe are sane. This week he spoke to the BBC's Gary O'Donoghue, who asked him about the Pennsylvania assassination attempt. As the BBC reported: When asked if the assassination attempt had changed him, the president conveyed a hint of vulnerability as he said he tries to think about it as little as he can. 'I don't like dwelling on it because if I did, it would be, you know, might be life-changing, I don't want it to have to be that.' Elaborating, he said he liked 'the power of positive thinking, or the power of positive non-thinking'. I've believed in the power of positive non-thinking for a long time, and at the ripe old age of 66 it's bounced me through heart-breaking incidents which would have floored a lot of other people – or at least been an excuse for a fully catered pity-party over on Facebook. Of course, one gets the usual misery-buckets muttering about how one is 'in denial' – but that's one of the few ways the poor saps get their kicks, in my experience, so it would be mean to deny them it. There's growing evidence to show that the stiff upper lip is the superior way to tackle life's little speedbumps. A study from the University of Cambridge claims that 'the commonly held belief that attempting to suppress negative thoughts is bad for our mental health could be wrong' after 'researchers at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit trained 120 volunteers worldwide to suppress thoughts about negative events that worried them, and found that not only did these become less vivid, but that the participants' mental health also improved.' It seems obvious, doesn't it? As Professor Michael Anderson put it: We're all familiar with the Freudian idea that if we suppress our feelings or thoughts, then these thoughts remain in our unconscious, influencing our behaviour and wellbeing perniciously. The whole point of psychotherapy is to dredge up these thoughts so one can deal with them and rob them of their power. In more recent years, we've been told that suppressing thoughts is intrinsically ineffective and that it actually causes people to think the thought more – it's the classic idea of 'Don't think about a pink elephant'. Suppressing thoughts even improved mental health among participants with likely post-traumatic stress disorder. In general, people with worse mental health symptoms at the outset of the study improved more after suppression training – but only if they suppressed their fears. This directly contradicts the notion that suppression is a maladaptive coping process. Of course, all the misery guts out there will moan that the scientists involved in this jolly experiment are most likely 'in denial' themselves; misery loves company, and as they generally only attract the company of other miseries, it's a vicious circle-jerk of communal caterwauling which is often effective in drowning out any empirical research or common-sense consensus which may arise. We all have friends who appear to get a high from parading their lows; we've all read the stats about educated young women being the most anxious when you'd think it was uneducated old men who had the most to be anxious about in the current climate. Though ostensibly they're worrying about politics, this worrywart tendency often carries into their private lives. When you see groups of men together, they're usually having a laugh; when you see groups of women sitting together, they're often moaning about men – sometimes what's wrong with the ones they've got, and sometimes how they don't have one to moan about. I don't ever recall sitting around with a group of girls moaning about the wrongs men have done me; if you don't like the one you've got, go and get another one. And if you moan about men to women regularly, you're probably a lesbian and afraid to face the fact. Give it a whirl, why don't you – it's fun, so long as you don't talk about your feelings too much, in which case you'll be back on the misery merry-go-round in no time. Though I favour living life on the light side with a minimum of introspection, I allow for a bit of misery in the arts. From Morrissey to Brief Encounter to Madame Bovary, if I can find a piece of art that will leave me feeling good by feeling bad, I'm all over it. Is this how I manage my emotional equilibrium (give or take the odd suicide bid) – by a kind of lyrical bloodletting? Whatever the reason, I thoroughly recommend it – along with the great Stoic quote, for when trouble befalls, from Marcus Aurelius: ''It is my bad luck that this has happened to me.' No, you should rather say: 'It is my good luck that, although this has happened to me, I can bear it without pain, neither crushed by the present nor fearful of the future.' Because such a thing could have happened to any man, but not every man could have borne it without pain. So why see more misfortune in the event than good fortune in your ability to bear it?' I believe that it was Socrates who said that 'the unexamined life is not worth living' – but then the old fool also said that 'no one does wrong voluntarily'. Looking around at the morass of self-pity, which is bankrupting us financially and intellectually, I'd say that it's the over-examined life which isn't worth living. Those of us who exercise President Trump's power of positive non-thinking are the ones who exhibit a resilience which is sorely lacking.
Gulf Insider
12-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Teenagers With Mental Health Disorders Spend An Extra Hour On Social Media
Adolescents diagnosed with mental health conditions spend nearly an hour more on social media daily than their peers and are twice as likely to compare themselves negatively to others online, according to new research. The study, involving 3,340 adolescents in the UK, suggests troubling patterns for teens with anxiety and depression, who report having less control over their social media use and greater mood fluctuations depending on the comments and likes they receive on social media. 'Our study doesn't establish a causal link, but it does show that young people with mental health conditions use social media differently than young people without a condition,' said lead author Luisa Fassi, a researcher at the University of Cambridge's Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, in a press statement. She said the differences between children with and without mental health conditions may stem from the way these conditions influence how adolescents interact with online platforms—or possibly from social media use contributing to their symptoms. 'At this stage, we can't say which comes first—only that these differences exist,' Fassi added. The study, recently published in Nature Human Behavior, analyzed data from a 2017 survey of 3,340 UK adolescents between the ages of 11 and 19. Professional clinicians interviewed the teenagers and, in some cases, their parents and teachers. Researchers distinguished between conditions affecting internal feelings—such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder—and those involving outward behaviors like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder. Teens with conditions affecting internal feelings, like depression and anxiety, showed the most significant differences in social media behavior. Social comparison—meaning comparing themselves to others online—was twice as prevalent among adolescents with anxiety and depression compared to those without mental health conditions: 48 percent and 24 percent, respectively. These teens were also significantly more likely to report mood changes in response to social media feedback—28 percent versus 13 percent—and felt less in control of their time spent on these platforms. This pattern was not seen in children with ADHD, ODD, and conduct disorders. Dr. Ritu Goel, a board-certified integrative psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health, told The Epoch Times that the pattern makes clinical sense. Teens dealing with anxiety or depression are often more emotionally sensitive and vulnerable to criticism or rejection, she said. 'Social media amplifies these feelings because it's filled with unrealistic portrayals of happiness and success. They might feel left out or not good enough, significantly deepening their emotional struggles.' The researchers also found that teens with diagnosed conditions spend approximately 50 minutes more on social media compared to those without. Beyond time spent online, all adolescents with mental health conditions also tended to report greater dissatisfaction with the number of online friends they had. 'Social media platforms assign a concrete number to friendships, making social comparisons more conspicuous. For young people struggling with mental health conditions, this may increase existing feelings of rejection or inadequacy,' Fassi said. She noted that friendships play a key role in shaping adolescents' sense of identity. Teens with mental health conditions often use social media in ways that can reinforce or worsen their symptoms, said Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind in New York. When people passively scroll through social media, they encounter idealized images that lead to negative social comparisons. 'Many people develop an obsession with checking likes, comments, or messages, which leads them to base their self-esteem on online reactions,' Hafeez said. 'People who post online to confirm their worth experience disappointment when their posts don't receive the positive feedback they expected.' The constant exposure to idealized images, peer conflicts, and subtle exclusion can heighten feelings of anxiety and rejection. Nighttime social media use can also disrupt sleep, which plays a key role in emotional health. Together, these patterns can deepen the cycle of depression and anxiety. Interestingly, aside from the time spent on social media, researchers found few differences in social media behavior among teens with externalizing conditions like ADHD or conduct disorders. Parents and mental health professionals should collaborate to guide teens toward healthier social media use, Goel said. 'Mental health professionals can teach teens critical thinking skills about online content and emotional self-regulation strategies,' she said. 'Parents can support these efforts by actively monitoring social media usage, setting clear boundaries for online and offline activities, ensuring a balanced daily routine, and promoting open conversations about online experiences.' Goel emphasized that encouraging regular offline interactions and hobbies can further help teens build resilience and maintain a healthy emotional balance. Hafeez recommended establishing tech-free times and encouraging offline social connections, emphasizing that teens should 'feel supported rather than controlled,' making it easier for them to develop lasting, healthy digital habits.
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Teenagers With Mental Health Disorders Spend an Extra Hour on Social Media
Adolescents diagnosed with mental health conditions spend nearly an hour more on social media daily than their peers and are twice as likely to compare themselves negatively to others online, according to new research. The 'Our study doesn't establish a causal link, but it does show that young people with mental health conditions use social media differently than young people without a condition,' said lead author Luisa Fassi, a researcher at the University of Cambridge's Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, in a press She said the differences between children with and without mental health conditions may stem from the way these conditions influence how adolescents interact with online platforms—or possibly from social media use contributing to their symptoms. 'At this stage, we can't say which comes first—only that these differences exist,' Fassi added. Differences by Condition Type The study, recently published in Nature Human Behavior, analyzed data from a 2017 survey of 3,340 UK adolescents between the ages of 11 and 19. Professional clinicians interviewed the teenagers and, in some cases, their parents and teachers. Researchers distinguished between conditions affecting internal feelings—such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder—and those involving outward behaviors like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder. Teens with conditions affecting internal feelings, like depression and anxiety, showed the most significant differences in social media behavior. Related Stories 4/28/2025 4/19/2025 Social comparison—meaning comparing themselves to others online—was twice as prevalent among adolescents with anxiety and depression compared to those without mental health conditions: 48 percent and 24 percent, respectively. These teens were also significantly more likely to report mood changes in response to social media feedback—28 percent versus 13 percent—and felt less in control of their time spent on these platforms. This pattern was not seen in children with ADHD, ODD, and conduct disorders. Dr. Ritu Goel, a board-certified integrative psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health, told The Epoch Times that the pattern makes clinical sense. Teens dealing with anxiety or depression are often more emotionally sensitive and vulnerable to criticism or rejection, she said. 'Social media amplifies these feelings because it's filled with unrealistic portrayals of happiness and success. They might feel left out or not good enough, significantly deepening their emotional struggles.' The researchers also found that teens with diagnosed conditions spend approximately 50 minutes more on social media compared to those without. Beyond time spent online, all adolescents with mental health conditions also tended to report greater dissatisfaction with the number of online friends they had. 'Social media platforms assign a concrete number to friendships, making social comparisons more conspicuous. For young people struggling with mental health conditions, this may increase existing feelings of rejection or inadequacy,' Fassi said. She noted that friendships play a key role in shaping adolescents' sense of identity. Why Social Media May Worsen Symptoms Teens with mental health conditions often use social media in ways that can reinforce or worsen their symptoms, said Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind in New York. When people passively scroll through social media, they encounter idealized images that lead to negative social comparisons. 'Many people develop an obsession with checking likes, comments, or messages, which leads them to base their self-esteem on online reactions,' Hafeez said. 'People who post online to confirm their worth experience disappointment when their posts don't receive the positive feedback they expected.' The constant exposure to idealized images, peer conflicts, and subtle exclusion can heighten feelings of anxiety and rejection. Nighttime social media use can also disrupt sleep, which plays a key role in emotional health. Together, these patterns can deepen the cycle of depression and anxiety. Interestingly, aside from the time spent on social media, researchers found few differences in social media behavior among teens with externalizing conditions like ADHD or conduct disorders. How Parents and Doctors Can Help Parents and mental health professionals should collaborate to guide teens toward healthier social media use, Goel said. 'Mental health professionals can teach teens critical thinking skills about online content and emotional self-regulation strategies,' she said. 'Parents can support these efforts by actively monitoring social media usage, setting clear boundaries for online and offline activities, ensuring a balanced daily routine, and promoting open conversations about online experiences.' Goel emphasized that encouraging regular offline interactions and hobbies can further help teens build resilience and maintain a healthy emotional balance. Hafeez recommended establishing tech-free times and encouraging offline social connections, emphasizing that teens should 'feel supported rather than controlled,' making it easier for them to develop lasting, healthy digital habits.
