The New York Times published an article this week that found, “anxiety, depression and stress are troubling people everywhere, many not suffering significant economic losses, but worrying they will or simply reacting to pervasive uncertainty.” Many people feel embarrassed or ashamed of these feelings, especially if they are not directly effected by the downturn in the economy.
It seems the news media isn’t helping matters. The majority of local and national news across all mediums is covering the economy more than any other news story and playing on people’s worst fears. For instance, as I write this, the top two headlines on MSNBC are “Squatters moving into foreclosed homes” and “Sour notes still echo on musical picket line”, both are related to the bad economy and put an emphasis on the worst case scenario rather than the reality, which is most people are still empolyed and still able to pay their bills.
One woman who was facing severe anxiety becuase of the stress she felt over the economy told the NY Times, “I felt like a neurotic middle-class, middle-aged woman too weak to deal with life on my own,” she said. “I should be stronger, it was simply money, and why do I have to take pills to not worry about money.” But is it entirely her fault? Shouldn’t we demand the news media report the economic crisis with more balance and accuracy?
On the flip side, it seems that popular culture is finding ways for people to vent without needing medication. A new crop of idiot bosses is popping up in movies and TV giving the common worker an opportunity to laugh at the ridiculousness of the typical workplace rather than dwell on the fear of losing their job. For instance, in Adventureland, Kristin Wiig and Bill Hadar play obnoxious bosses, of course there’s Michael Scott on The Office, and just last weekend Andy Sanberg played a boss who, well, had some issues in a digital short on SNL. Thank goodness for some good old fashion comic relief and a reminder that we all think our bosses are a little douchy but they can provide some much needed comic material if we can just stop worrying long enough to pay attention.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. In fact, it is such a common problem in today’s living conditions that it affects almost everyone. I understand that with the advent of the coronavirus, we have simply reached a new level of anxiety. And this is awful. Because in our world there are people who, in general, have problems with anxiety, and then there is such a huge reason for worry. I think this whole pandemic situation has shown us our weaknesses and what we need to work hard on. But each of us has the right to express our emotions as he wants. This is normal. Therefore, I hope that soon everyone will understand this.