Having an anxiety disorder means my mind is often a runaway train of worry. I stress about random things that most people wouldn’t even consider, like whether my laugh is too loud or if my texts annoy others. I have significant concerns about my appearance—especially my weight—and smaller, nagging thoughts about whether my dog knows how much I love him. Despite taking several medications to manage my anxiety, I still find myself grappling with those intense feelings of panic and restlessness.
However, I recently discovered a powerful coping mechanism that isn’t a magic pill but rather a brilliant trick I stumbled upon thanks to a post from someone named SarahBloom, a survivor of an eating disorder on Tumblr.
Oh wow. It’s so simple yet so effective. This could truly change how we approach mental health!
I decided to give it a shot. The first time I tried this technique was just a few minutes after reading SarahBloom’s post. After getting dressed and glancing in the mirror, my inner critic piped up, “I really dislike my body.” I paused and imagined those words coming out of Donald Trump’s mouth. Then I responded, “Buzz off, Donald Trump.” Surprisingly, I felt an immediate sense of empowerment.
I continued this practice. While lying next to my husband, I thought, as usual, “Ugh, I can’t stand my stomach; it looks so jiggly.” Again, I stopped to recognize this negativity. I envisioned Trump saying that to me and retorted, “You’re not my president, you tiny-pawed Cheeto!” It was oddly satisfying. I hugged my kids goodnight, feeling like a total badass.
I kept at it, addressing every worry that popped into my head. Whether I was anxious about finishing a book review, bothering my editor with messages, or fretting about my thighs being too big for shorts, I relished creating new and colorful insults for the man who is, unfortunately, our leader.
I even thought about praising myself in Barack Obama’s voice but decided against it. Overall, this approach helped me push negativity away much more swiftly than usual, reducing its impact on my mood.
This technique isn’t entirely surprising; it’s a playful twist on dialectical behavioral therapy’s Teflon Mind approach. In Teflon Mind, negative thoughts move through your mind like clouds—they don’t cling because your mental surface is like Teflon. It also aligns with cognitive behavioral strategies, which emphasize recognizing and dismissing negative thoughts. Therapists agree: attributing negative thoughts to Trump and giving him the boot has therapeutic value. In short, it works wonders!
And who better to aim our frustrations at? My friend Jamie aptly describes Trump as America’s Id incarnate.
To be clear, I’m not ditching my anxiety medications or undervaluing my healthcare providers. I still rely on them. While this technique isn’t a cure-all, I believe that with consistent practice, it could have significant benefits for my mental well-being.
Never thought I’d say this, but thanks, Donald Trump. And by the way, your wall and Muslim ban? Total nonsense.
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Summary:
This article discusses a unique coping mechanism for managing anxiety by humorously addressing negative thoughts with Donald Trump as the target. The author shares personal experiences and insights into how this technique has helped maintain a positive mindset despite ongoing anxiety challenges.