Being optimistic is a good thing, but the flood of “good vibes only” content on social media raises the risk of toxic positivity.<\/p>\n
Being optimistic is a good thing, but a Northern Virginia psychiatrist says the flood of \u201cgood vibes only\u201d content on social media raises the risk of toxic positivity.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cToxic positivity is only looking for the positive, and negating any other hard emotions,\u201d said Asha Patton-Smith<\/a>, child and adolescent psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente in Falls Church, Virginia. \u201cThat can actually increase the risk of stress, anxiety and depression.\u201d<\/p>\n With TikTok and other social media platforms using #goodvibesonly<\/a>, \u201cA lot of young people take that and say, \u2018OK, yeah, I\u2019m supposed to only be having good vibes<\/a>,’\u201d Patton-Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not based on reality \u2014 some even have guilt feelings about not being able to only look at the positive.\u201d<\/p>\n Patton-Smith said it\u2019s important for young people to realize there is a wide range of emotions, despite the good vibes admonishment on social media.<\/p>\n \u201cIn order to achieve true mood balance, you have to move through all aspects of emotions, both those that are positive and those harder emotions, as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n True healing and growth require a person to experience their emotions and process them, which can enable someone to move on.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we really want to do is try to avoid labeling emotions as good or bad,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Young people are especially vulnerable to countering negative emotions, for several reasons, Patton-Smith said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn adolescent development, a large area of (brain) development is the prefrontal cortex. That\u2019s the front part of our brain, where we do executive function, our focus, our concentration, our ability to not procrastinate,\u201d Patton-Smith said. \u201cThose neuron connections maximize around the age of 25, depending on the person.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to a still-developing brain, young people may not have seen the state of \u201cgray\u201d that often exists for adults.<\/p>\n \u201cExperience is something that also helps with development. (It\u2019s) part of why we look at things as we get older, hopefully, as more different from just black and white,\u201d Patton-Smith said.<\/p>\n Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.<\/p>\n