How to Use Cartoons As a Useful Escape
Watching your favorite program until your eyes fall out has its benefits, especially during a pandemic. When emotions ran high, television was a useful escape and comfort throughout the quarantine. I’ve had in-depth conversations about why I’m not a fan of Insecure’s Molly , or how I feel too strongly about Craig from Creek . I can identify with the characters and see myself in their struggle, helping me overcome my own mental obstacles.
A 2018 study of the “media marathon” (or drinking watching from a layperson’s perspective) confirms what many of us already know that those who “are battling depression or anxiety have been able to learn more about human relationships through the media. and use the experience of interaction with the media. as a springboard for communication. ” Observing a fictional character walking through something similar to you gives you the opportunity to take a detached view; and, for me, cartoons in particular contribute to catharsis without causing a threat or arousing suspicion.
Dr. Brian Kong, PsyD, specializes in pop culture and therapy, and shared his experience on the benefits of watching depression cartoons. “I think television can sometimes convey emotional experiences in a richer, more detailed and accessible way,” says Kong. “There is value in the environment that visually deviates from our everyday reality and immerses us in an alternative imaginary world.”
Use complex characters for self-reflection
Rick Sanchez, the mad scientist on Adult Swim’s hit show Rick and Morty, and BoJack Horseman, the washed-up actor from Netflix’s BoJack Horseman , are complex characters who understand the severity of their destructive behavior. In Rest and Riklaxation, Rick and Morty spend the day to relax and eventually their toxic selves are physically removed from their bodies and need to reunite with the worst of them in order to become whole again. In the episode “Face of Depression,” Bojack Horseman, Bojack is confronted with the consequences of his hurtful behavior while his seemingly upbeat and friendly colleague Mr. Peanut Butter becomes the “face of depression.”
Both episodes take a nuanced view of what we consider to be our “best” and “worst” sides, and the show’s perspectives are played out “against the often simplistic categorical concept of a good or bad person,” notes Kong. Depression has many faces, and Bojack Horseman, Rick, and Morty take apart the layers that help viewers identify and relate to each other. “Watching your emotional struggles on TV can be very powerful and compelling,” says Kong.
Redefine your personal struggles
Adventure Time is about Finn, a little boy, and his magical dog Jake, who aspire to become heroes in the land of Oooh. The main villain, the Ice King, wears a magic crown to live forever, and in turn, the crown has erased his memories, leaving him alone and unable to socially interact with others. Meanwhile, Finn uses his courage and cheerfulness to avoid injury.
Both characters display different elements of depression, and while they are in a fantasy, fictional country, their stories serve as a mirror of the real world and how people interact with mental illness. “Especially in the case of more creative shows like Adventure Time or Futurama , cartoons can use our imaginations in such a way that, although they are fantasy, they can help us think differently about life and our own. life, which can be important in rethinking your lifestyle. fight, ”explains Kong.
Help “de-identify” depression
Steven Universe is the story of Stephen, a half-human-half-alien who is called the “Crystal Gem”. He and the other Crystal Gems protect Earth from alien forces, but the real strength they fight with is self-doubt, depression, and relationships. Steven Universe helped me get out of tough breakdowns and gave me the tools to become aware of my circumstances and understand my feelings.
One song featured on the show called ” Here Comes a Thought ” in the episode “Mindful Education, “ where one of Steven’s friends named Connie has a depressing moment. The song reminds her that it is just a thought, that emotions are real, but they should not consume her.
Another cartoon, Big Mouth , is known for portraying puberty anxiety through imaginary characters. ” Depression Kitten ” is introduced to one character in the episode “Puberty Department” and causes her to neglect her duties by watching reruns of ” Friends” and eating ice cream instead. The kitten then lays down on her chest, preventing Jesse from moving, symbolizing the devastating effects of depression.
“There are schools of thought in psychology, such as acceptance and adherence therapy, that provide empirically validated interventions that help people detach from their depressive or anxious thoughts and maintain a more detached, attentive attitude. Big Mouth and Steven Universe use this shared understanding in a way that is accessible to the viewer, ”says Kong. “While it’s important not to oversimplify depression or other mental health problems, ‘identifying’ with your thoughts and feelings can be an integral part of not feeling consumed or trapped in them and eventually letting them go.”