When Positivity Becomes Toxic

Being optimistic and thinking positive are good traits to have. However, in some situations, it can end up doing more harm than good.

- Adora Wong

Ever had to go through a difficult situation, only for friends to tell you something like, “Everything is going to be OK”? Positive as the statement may be, it also entails a certain degree of toxicity. It’s called toxic positivity.

Sure, nobody wants to be a Negative Nancy, but that doesn’t mean we should maintain a positive mindset no matter the situation. Other scenarios of forced empathy: “Don’t worry about your pay cut, at least you still have a job” and “Don’t be sad about your break-up, you should be grateful that you still have a family to come home to”. Toxic positivity can be damaging, say experts.

THE GOOD-VIBES-ONLY APPROACH

According to Dr Annabelle Chow, a clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology, this coping mechanism is unhealthy. Suppressing emotions for the sake of projecting a positive outlook externally can have unfavourable repercussions.