This Viral Clip

This clip from the Joe Rogan on social media has been making the rounds, and it has been sent to me multiple times, so I feel the need to discuss it. Check it out here if you need context. I want to preface by saying that neither Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, or the guest Abigail Shrier have formal education or training in psychology. Abigail Shrier is the New York Times bestselling author of BAD THERAPY: Why the kids aren’t growing up (2024). In this clip, Rogan and Shrier discusses the potential harm of therapy being rumination.

Breakdown of clip

Rogan: I never considered that thinking about your problems all the time and talking about your problems all the time literally make your problems grow.

I agree that overthinking about your problems can make them worse. I don’t agree that talking about your problems for once a week for one hour in therapy (which is what is implied here) will make them worse. Therapy can be challenging but it can also allow people to feel what they have difficulty feeling in a safe environment: providing catharsis, processing of difficult emotions, and greater clarity on steps to take moving forward.

Like I discussed in the previous newsletter, even building a relationship with your sadness (which is not depression by the way) can help you manage it.

Shriver: That’s right I mean it’s the #1 symptom of depression is what they call rumination. This pathological obsessing over your pain.

I’m not sure what Shriver means by “#1 symptom.” Here is the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. People experience depression differently and usually experience a combination of symptoms. A sign of depression can also be the inability to feel anything at all. That itself can result from avoiding the problem and feeling altogether and can lead to greater challenges in the future.

Shriver: Yeah that’s why stuff like exercise… doing anything… is good for your mental health.

I completely agree with this statement. Exercise, going outside, mindfulness & meditation practices, socializing is good for your mental health and can reduce symptoms of depression. People who are depressed, however, have a hard time taking those initial steps. I also agree with Shriver that a good therapist can help clients tap into their thoughts, their feelings, and encourage clients to do what is healthy for them.

Ruminating is over thinking about a “negative thought” and that is different from allowing yourself to feel an emotion and letting it go which is what I encourage in my mindfulness practice.

I believe it’s good to look at mental health industry with a critical lens and to also think critically about what pundits are saying. I did begin reading her book, and perhaps I will also share my reflections on that later.

My work

Yoojin Nam LMFT is the author of Thinking to Feel. He has been providing psychotherapy for 7 years and is licensed to practice in CA & TX.

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Disclaimer: These posts are not a replacement for therapy. The information contained within is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be therapeutic advice.