“The idea with this therapy is that by seeking rejection in a low-risk situation, patients will become desensitized to the anxiety associated with rejection,” the doctor noted.
The basic idea is to help people get used to discomfort and even embrace it – thus overcoming all fears and boosting self-confidence. (Photo: Freepik)
Many people experience social anxiety. Social anxiety is when you are plagued by an irrational, mortal fear of being in a social situation that will make you feel uncomfortable or distressed. This can stem from the fear of being with strangers and starting a conversation, or anything that will force someone to step out of their comfort zone. But can you imagine putting yourself in an awkward situation to overcome this fear? The latest trend on TikTok is a mental health trend called “rejection therapy,” which has been creating quite a buzz on the video-sharing app. Many users have been discussing it, and the tag “rejection therapy” has apparently garnered millions of views. Read on to find out more.
According to a report by The Independent, many TikTok users are recording their experiences when they put themselves in uncomfortable situations where they might be “socially rejected.” For example, approaching a stranger and asking for their phone number, or asking if they can buy someone food. The basic idea is to help people get used to, and even embrace, discomfort — thus overcoming all fears and boosting self-confidence. This is what rejection therapy is all about: getting rejected isn’t the end of the world. Many claim it has been “life-changing.”
The Independent also reports that rejection therapy “is not a research-based form of psychotherapy.” In fact, it’s a self-help method. The name was coined by a Canadian entrepreneur called Jason Comely, who reportedly encourages people to “put themselves in situations where they might be rejected” and create “suggestion cards” to help them build courage the next time they encounter a similar situation.
Then in 2012, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jia Zhang released a series of YouTube videos called “100 Days of Rejection Therapy,” which garnered millions of views and became popular. One video was titled “Borrow $100 from a Stranger.” Another was titled “Offer to Deliver Pizza.”
Jiang was quoted as telling Elite Daily, “People who are afraid of rejection often let the fear of rejection dictate what they do next. They reject themselves much more than other people.”
Despite the uniqueness of this approach, there are many who are skeptical. To understand more about this approach from a mental health perspective, we contacted Dr Sonal Anand, psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road. She said that rejection therapy is a “novel approach” designed to help people overcome their fears and face rejection head on. “The belief is that by seeking rejection in a low-risk situation through this therapy, people become desensitized to the anxiety that often accompanies rejection,” she said, adding that the therapy helps build resilience and take rejection in a positive way.
“The practice is also known to open up hidden opportunities for personal growth and connection. According to the therapy, every time you face rejection, it fosters an open mindset that encourages experimentation and boosts your confidence in social life. The therapy is also believed to give you enough confidence to face and deal with your fears,” the psychiatrist said.
But is rejection therapy enough?
Is rejection therapy a powerful, life-changing tool for people battling severe anxiety? Psychiatrists advise people to seek professional help rather than relying on “rejection therapy” and other TikTok trends.
“Remember, change does not happen overnight and you have to overcome your fears safely under the guidance of a professional. Instead of trying the trial-and-error based rejection therapy that is becoming popular on social media, opt for counselling. A professional can address your fear and remove it from its roots. This rejection therapy will not help in the long run but counselling from a professional can definitely help,” she concluded.
