TV Scenes that Accurately Portray Anxiety
There’s a mental health revolution happening, no doubt. It’s becoming less stigmatized and more commonly discussed, especially in pop culture. Specifically, television and movies have started to become a channel of information while having their characters experience a variety of mental health issues. Although the point of TV is to entertain and some instances may be dramatized or unrealistic, there are a few TV scenes that portray anxiety pretty accurately.
TV Scenes that Accurately Portray Anxiety
I watch a lot of TV, I won’t lie to anyone. I love it. In fact, I have a love/hate relationship when someone asks me what my “hobbies” are because I feel judged when I say eating, socializing, and watching TV. I mean, are there any better hobbies than that? I challenge you to disagree. Jokes aside, it’s a release because I can become intertwined with the characters’ stories and silence my own thoughts in the comfort of my own home. I don’t tend to watch too heavy of programming (besides the occasional murder mystery documentary) because certain things actually trigger my emotions and make my anxiety worse.
An important way that I deal with anxiety is to simply distract myself from how I’m feeling or the fearful thoughts that I’m thinking, and TV really helps me do that. I know that books are perhaps a healthier alternative, but I tend to get in weird competitions with myself in regards to how fast I can finish things. It makes reading more of an efficiency thing than relaxing. I know, I sound crazy. TV is just more therapeutic for me.
Here are a few examples from some binge worthy TV shows where I’ve found anxiety to be portrayed in an accurate, helpful way:
This is Us
Randall Pearson (played by Sterling K. Brown) comes from a pretty difficult past and puts a lot of pressure on himself to be perfect, and he has struggled with anxiety since childhood. While this TV show covers a variety of heavy hitting topics: losing a loved one, racial discrimination, infertility - I appreciate the way they accurately portrayed an anxiety attack. Randall is shown completely debilitated from a panic attack while at his office. He is trembling, having blurred vision, sweating and yet, isn’t honest with his brother on what is actually happening and why he can't come to his event. I would assume (you know, from experience) that this is because he’s scared and ashamed to admit what’s happening. Take a moment to watch.
Big Little Lies
Spoiler Alert: This is from a recent Season 2 episode, in case you aren’t caught up. Amabella, Renata’s (played by Laura Dern) daughter suffers a panic attack while at school - while only being in the second grade. After seeking a child psychologist, they discover the root of the issue is a climate change discussion at school, and fear of the world ending. I like this example because this reaction is very normal for a child with anxiety who simply doesn't know any better, and also doesn’t know how to communicate feelings. Anxiety causes people to catastrophize certain situations that may never from to fruition. Like, my earthquake survival plan while living in LA, for example.
Suits
Harvey Specter, the show’s main character (besides my beloved Meghan Markle) is a big wig lawyer. He’s pretty egotistical and rarely shows emotions. After a series of big changes that are traumatic to Harvey, that hard outer shell and denial of feelings comes crumbling. He’s in complete denial of his anxiety. This episode not only showcases a panic attack, but also how his anxiety is affecting his work, and ultimately his journey through therapy to find the root of the issue. Here's a good recap below.
Schitt's Creek
I like to laugh, especially sometimes about anxiety. It’s such a heavy topic and all consuming the majority of the time, so if entertainment can give me a laugh about it - I honestly appreciate it. I love this scene in Schitt’s Creek because the topic of anxiety is still taken seriously as the main character is having an anxiety attack - but the circumstances and his sister’s reaction are frankly hilarious. And, his reaction to his panic attack is all too common, especially for your first one.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discussing anxiety in pop culture. I’m so happy we are starting to see more content on depression and other mental health issues. But I’d love to see a more accurate portrayal of anxiety out there given just how common it is. Now, go watch some (healthy) TV.