I have just seen the Ad relating to Anxiety by Beyond Blue. Sadly, I find the closing statement in the Ad very
disappointing. I was so surprised by it I thought I had misheard and had to
check it on youtube to make sure I had heard correctly.
The Ad and its concept are fine but the closing is just wrong – indeed it runs counter to information about anxiety and anxiety
disorders provided by Beyond Blue on its website, facebook page etc. Here is a
link to the Ad for those who have not seen it:
The Ad ends as follows “Is it you or your anxiety talking” –
fine, we all know that feeling but then : “Visit Beyond Blue to start a life beyond anxiety”
Coming from a specialist mental health organisation that is
a terribly ignorant statement and it sends the wrong message idea to that part of the community who know nothing of anxiety.
1) Anxiety is natural, normal and vital to survival – that
is just stating the obvious.
2) Where anxiety is present at a level or in a form that is
debilitating or amounts to a disorder its amenability to treatment is highly
variable. Some people may find after a few sessions with a psychologist they
have the tools to deal with it adequately. On the other extreme some people,
myself included, might suffer severe anxiety and engage in a lifelong struggle trying
every measure through trends in psychology, developments in medication (on and
off label) in psychiatry etc.
By all means encourage people to recognize/come forward if
they are having the troubling thoughts illustrated in the Ad, but even hinting
at a life “beyond anxiety” is misleading and does not fit with BB’s fine
reputation – at least in my view.
[Mod note: we have embedded the ad directly into this post so it can be viewed easily]
Hello NMTB, I agree with you that anxiety is a natural part of life. I see the idea of being 'beyond anxiety' is being in a place where it doesn't consume your life entirely, not eliminating it's presence in your life.
I think that is a very hopeful message, particularly for those who currently can't see a way out. Of course some of us will suffer more than others, and will have a different pathway and time frame to moving 'beyond', but it isn't a competition and I don't think it is misleading to say that getting 'beyond anxiety' is possible for everyone.
I would simply leave that slogan, which is what is (possibly someone from an Ad company's thought bubble) out. The Ad and its message are fine up until that silly tag-line. Many may think I am nit picking here. However, in my view that sort of thing feeds the perception I have encountered amongst some in the community that anxiety is just "the worrier" who can get over it.
Sorry you are disappointing with the commercial. I myself interpreted it like Jess. That you can 'beyond anxiety'is when it doesn't consume your life. I do agree with you. Anxiety is a natural part of life. We get anxious about a big presentation or sky diving. I think many people don't know what anxiety is so this commercial was trying to educate others what anxiety can look like for some people (not all). I myself found it helpful, but also not perfect. I think it is good to talk about these things because we need to understand it is different for everyone
I do feel there is a fine line to walk with any health promotion. Getting the balance right between getting people to pay attention and alientating people is a difficult job. I agree the 'slogan' is not my cup of tea either.
Perhaps this is a little off topic but I think it's important...
Do you know you are able to give input into the work BB does?
There is a reference group anyone with experience of mental illness can join. It's called blue Voices.
On the bV forum you can join activities, give feedback and answer surveys etc which guides beyondblue in their work (including the most recent ad you mention).
I wanted to mention this because you (and anyone else reading) is welcome to join. Writing here is great and your message most definately will get noticed. However if you want to have more of a say and guide what would work for you bV is the best way to get involved.
Thankyou for your input re the Beyond Blue videoclip. If we didnt have input from members like yourself it would be very difficult to grow and develop the Website on an ongoing basis
Just a note NMTB...A new Members input/thoughts are just as highly valued as a long term member/Champion:-)
Just my take on this NMTB...I wasted 13 years of my life thinking I could 'self heal' and my anxiety symptoms exacerbated so I see 'Beyond Anxiety' as 'life after chronic anxiety' of this confusing and awful set of symptoms
The video feed is only trying to mention that there is hope and the awful anxiety feelings do reduce over time
Thanks for the welcoming response. I do understand where you are coming from. Although I have suffered from anxiety disorders since childhood (worried but ill-equipped primary school teachers giving me counselling sessions at lunch time as to why i would run out of class holding back vomit without any apparent physical cause), I also suffered a very dark period between ages 40-50 where I didn't so much "live" as "exist".
Although we see the Ad differently I welcome discussion and different perspectives and am happy to see that reflected here.
You have made an excellent point about feeling like we are 'existing' Its a crappy (dark) feeling to have...I hear you loud and clear there
That would have been awful in primary school (understatement of the century)....just when we are trying to have friends and fit in.....not to mention learning!
I just re read your opening post and you mentioned "On the other extreme some people,
myself included, might suffer severe anxiety and engage in a lifelong struggle trying
every measure through trends in psychology, developments in medication (on and
off label) in psychiatry etc".......Thats an excellent comment NMTB as this is my 35th year with anxiety/depression. putting that into context with the 'Beyond Anxiety' I feel your pain (and frustration) Can I ask if the BB video clip makes anxiety feel like a 'minor' health issue to you? (no response required unless you wish to of course)
Thankyou NMTB for being a part of the Beyond Blue forum family 🙂
Fair Question (I don't know whether to address you as Paul or blondguy!),
No, I understand that Ads like these are aimed at a mainstream audience and must therefore reach people who may be experiencing anxiety but have no concept of what it is. The difficulty I can't get past (obviously) is the slogan of "beyond anxiety". I won't repeat concerns I have already enunciated. The clip doesn't, to me, belittle anxiety - the slogan misrepresents it as a health issue. We know it is complicated, varies from person to person and cannot be encapsulated in any glib hash tag or tag line. It seems to me 99% of the Ad says reach out if these thoughts are causing you trouble - brilliant, that is the message, say no more. Because if you reach out the goal is then to assess your particular issues, background, needs, treatment options etc to help you manage your anxiety. These things can't be, and shouldn't be attempted to be, captured in a two word phrase.
Sorry Paul/blondguy, when in discussion the lawyer in me surfaces and I can argue my point more forcefully than is intended, please understand it is only a mode of expression, I am not trying to impose my view.
As an aside, have you heard of the book My Age of Anxiety by Scott Stossel (2013). It is a standout and the only book in my large book collection on the subject of Anxiety (I have had many, they are in recycling heaven). It is not self help. It does not offer solutions. He is a former editor of The Atlantic who is a gifted researcher and writer ... and a lifelong severe anxiety sufferer. He details his own story, the history of identification of the illness and the history of scientific and psychological approaches to it. It is available as an Audiobook if you are interested.
