Notices by Buffy the Psych Prof (drpsybuffy@mstdn.social)

And don’t even get me started on how many of them probably have PTSD from all of the Alice trainings for active shooters and the vicarious trauma when there is a school shooting somewhere.

Today in my Abnormal Psychology class, I was covering anxiety disorders, and I was talking about when anxiety and even depression can be considered a fairly rational response to terrible circumstances. One of my students, a black female, mentioned how frightened she is when she is driving and sees a police car. And it led to a great convo about how it’s basically gaslighting to tell members of marginalized communities that feeling anxious or depressed is irrational.

And that led to a discussion about all of the news about how anxiety is off the charts in young people right now, and all of the chatter that happens blaming them and saying they’re weak and snowflake-ish, etc., when the reality is that reality is pretty fucking depressing and anxiety provoking for them right now. Climate change, gun violence, low pay and poor job prospects for college grads. What, are they supposed to be super happy and excited about everything?

This winter is going to be amazing