Systematic Depression & Anxiety: Induced by the Pressures of Society
Many of us grew up having an idea of what we wanted our life to look like at different ages or stages in our lives. It may have looked like owning a home by a certain age, making a certain amount of money by a certain age, having accomplished, achieved, or experienced certain things by a certain age, or even, having comfort and stability by a certain stage. Up until probably 2020, as the world faced the biggest phenomenon of the century that shook up our normal progression in life, most of us may have felt on track toward achieving that ideal life. For many of us, that has changed.
Is the Pressure of Society Causing you Anxiety or Depression?
Growing up, I myself had a mental representation in my mind of what I wanted my life to look like. As times changed, I realized it wouldn’t be as easy for my generation as it was for my Generation X parents. But my ideal life before 2020 did not feel far from reach. During my time practicing as an Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, I started to find a theme in the depression and anxiety that people came in seeking help for. Most were experiencing challenges with the pressures and dated values of society. Depression and anxiety symptoms looked like defeated self-talk such as:
“I feel inadequate”
“Am I enough”
“I have to do more”
“I have to make more money”
“By now I should be married”
“I should own my own home by now”
and the list goes on!
These expectations that people placed on themselves, due to what society expects of us, carries a heavy weight on our mental and emotional well-being when the systematic flaws create barriers in our day-to-day life.
Systematic flaws go beyond financial stability, but also, values. We continue to experience challenges with discrimination, racism, exclusivity, and barriers to equity on a societal level, and challenges with dated cultural or gender identity values on a micro systematic level. Such things look like: laws discriminating against minorities, prejudice in our community, lack of resources for success, marginalization, an inequitable opportunity to education, lack of safety in our communities and schools, or lack of safety within a culture. These systematic flaws create fight or flight responses that take us into survival mode, and often, keep us there.
Tips on Coping With it From An Online Anxiety Therapist in California
As most of us know, changing a system can be challenging. It takes a lot of work, time, and battle to create change. While we cannot quickly change the system, there are things that we can do as individuals to cope with the societal and cultural pressures putting us in these states of depression and anxiety.
Differentiation of Self
Understand that we are our own person. While we strive for connection and belonging, being authentic with who we really are will create more joy and happiness than trying to fit in. The values and pressures of the system we may be trying to fit in may be flawed systems. When your values don’t align with that community, keep note that trying to fit into that community can create dread, anxiety, lack of connection, and low moods.
Practice Gratitude
While I would not encourage anyone to tolerate an environment or a state of being that is causing a mental or emotional detriment in their life, I will encourage practicing gratitude for the positive things in one’s life. That may look like: “I’m grateful that I have a roof over my head,” “For my partner, i am thankful,” “I’m thankful I have access to my family,” “I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to work," and so on. As a practitioner that integrates experientialism and existentialism, I encourage practicing gratitude in this moment. Me for example, “I am grateful for the connection I will have with others through this informational piece.”
Become Comfortable With the Uncomfortable
“I don’t see things the way others do, but this is who I am.” Practice sitting in the uncomfortable feelings and learn to regulate your body through those feelings. Having an online depression and anxiety therapist helps to develop these skills if adaptive body or emotional regulation is something that is or feels foreign.
Appreciate Yourself
We all have strengths. Practice recognizing your strengths and maximizing on those. Build on new strengths, and also, be ok with knowing that you will not be strong at everything and that you’re still worthy.
Let Go Of the Pressures and Values That Don’t Serve You Well
Recognize the triggers of your depression and anxiety. Identify, “What is in my control?” “What is not?” “And what is in our control is what we want.” If your self-talk often includes, “I should,” reflect on it – it is probable that you’re trying to live the life others expect of you, not what you want, or what’s realistic in this moment.
Dream, Don’t Fantasize
Dreams don’t work unless you do. Dreams will require work on your end to get to where you want to be. Fantasies are the idea that what we want will just happen. Create goals and a vision for your future, but don’t get stuck thinking about it so much that it becomes a preoccupation or a fantasy – and you don’t enjoy the journey getting there.
Start Online Therapy with a Depression & Anxiety Therapist in California
These are just some tips on things to consider when we are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of societal and cultural systems. Systematic depression and anxiety are real and more real than ever in today’s world. Become attuned with the root causes of your depression and anxiety. Seek an online anxiety therapist to help you through that work and develop a better quality of life for yourself.
If you are ready to start online therapy for anxiety at Online Therapy California then follow these steps:
Reach out for a free consultation with an online anxiety therapist
Schedule an appointment for online therapy for anxiety to identify your depression and anxiety triggers
Don’t settle for being alive, LIVE!
Other Online Therapy Services we Offer in California
We offer a variety of online therapy services for adults in California. This includes perinatal and postpartum support, stress management, and more!
