Home Health A ten-question test reveals a surprising “toxic” character trait that could damage the mental health of your loved ones… Do YOU ​​have it?

A ten-question test reveals a surprising “toxic” character trait that could damage the mental health of your loved ones… Do YOU ​​have it?

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Dr. Christine Schneider, a Cambridge-based clinical psychologist, explains that the toxic mindset will see any negative emotion as undesirable or unacceptable.

Telling people to “think positive,” “smile,” or even insist that “it could be worse” could be inadvertently damaging the mental health of those around you.

Psychologists have called this “toxic positivity” and warned that this character trait does more harm than good.

Dr. Christine Schneider, a Cambridge-based clinical psychologist, explained that the “toxic” mindset involves viewing any negative emotion as undesirable or unacceptable.

‘Toxic positivity ignores the reality of human emotions. “It tells us to always stay optimistic and avoid difficult feelings, which only leads to emotional suppression and disconnection,” he said.

However, there are some telltale signs and a online test claims to detect the toxic trait in his answers to 10 questions.

This simple questionnaire asks examinees to choose whether or not a series of statements describe their behavior.

The more statements participants feel “definitely” align with their character, the more likely they are to have toxic positivity traits.

Statements include: “I hide or mask my negative feelings,” “I minimize my negative experiences with “feel good” statements or quotes,” and “I let go of difficult problems with statements like “it is what it is.”

Dr. Christine Schneider, a Cambridge-based clinical psychologist, explains that the toxic mindset will see any negative emotion as undesirable or unacceptable.

The three-minute test is based on the work of Dr. Jamie Zuckerman, a Philadelphia-based psychologist, who identified and quantified signs of toxic positivity.

But the questionnaire’s creators emphasize that it is not designed to provide an accurate assessment, as it can only be performed by a qualified professional.

Dr. Schneider has also highlighted four signs that are instant warning signs of toxic positivity.

First, dismissing someone’s emotions with phrases like “it could be worse” or “just stay positive,” which can invalidate real pain, he said.

Avoiding difficult conversations or avoiding addressing negative emotions could also be a trait.

Similarly, feeling guilty or ashamed for experiencing normal emotions such as sadness, frustration, or anger and pressuring others to remain positive without acknowledging your true struggles are also warning signs.

However, Dr. Schneider stressed that some optimism can be healthy.

For example, those with a positive attitude will continue to recognize that people have negative feelings and challenges, but will not deny or dismiss the emotions.

However, positivity becomes toxic when it causes someone to suppress negative emotions.

The Ten statements that reveal if you have this toxic character trait…

Do you have any of the character traits of toxic positivity?

Answer “not me,” “somewhat describes me,” or “definitely me” to the following statements to find out.

  1. I brush aside difficult questions with statements like “it is what it is.”
  2. When someone is feeling depressed, I encourage them by saying things like “it could be worse.”
  3. I minimize my negative experiences with statements or quotes that make me feel good.
  4. I hide or mask my negative feelings.
  5. I try to “move on” by discarding my negative emotions.
  6. In my experience, giving space to negativity only makes you fall further.
  7. I think people who focus too much on their problems instead of just staying positive are likely to become depressed.
  8. I pretend to be happy even when I’m not.
  9. I often feel guilty for feeling sad.
  10. I force myself to be happy by focusing on the positive.

Take the online test here…

‘Over time, this can lead to stress, anxiety, exhaustion and even physical health problems. It can also prevent us from healing, as unaddressed emotions tend to manifest in unhealthy ways,” Dr. Schneider warned.

‘In our culture, we often equate positivity with strength and resilience, especially on social media. But true resilience comes from the ability to confront and process difficult emotions, not from pretending they don’t exist,” he added.

However, there are ways to break free from this surprisingly negative cycle.

The first step, she said, is simply to recognize your own emotions and allow yourself to understand and process any negative emotions.

This is a vital step because only once you have recognized and named your own emotions can you heal, he explained.

‘Remember that it is okay to feel negative emotions.

‘Emotions are part of being human and they do not weaken you.

The next step is to search for the connection. Dr. Schneider explained that this can be done by talking to friends and family about what is going on.

He warned that not sharing your feelings with someone you trust could cause feelings of isolation and “feed toxic positivity.”

Dr. Schneider also suggests that people set boundaries if they notice someone setting an “exclusively positive agenda” and redirect the conversation to protect their own emotions.

‘It challenges the narrative. Accept vulnerability. Allow yourself the freedom to feel, because true emotional growth comes from being authentic, not perfect,’ he said.

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