What Is TikTok’s New Mental Health Trend 'Rejection Therapy' All About?

"By seeking out rejection in low-risk situations, through this therapy, individuals are believed to desensitise themselves to the anxiety that often accompanies refusals," a doctor pointed out.

Many people experience social anxiety, wherein they suffer from an irrational and crippling fear of being in social situations that cause them discomfort and distress. It could stem from the fear of being around strangers and striking a conversation with them, or absolutely anything that forces someone to come out of their comfort zone. But, can you imagine voluntarily putting yourself in awkward situations to overcome this fear? The latest from TikTok is a mental health trend called 'rejection therapy' that has become quite something on the video-sharing app. With many users discussing it, the 'rejection therapy' tag apparently has garnered millions of views. Read on to find out more.

According to an Independent report, many TikTok users have been documenting their experiences as they put themselves in uncomfortable scenarios where they can be 'socially rejected'. For instance, someone may approach a stranger to ask for their number, or ask someone else if they can buy them food. The basic idea is for people to get comfortable with the discomfort and even embrace it; to overcome all their fears and boost their confidence. This is what rejection therapy is all about: that being rejected is not the end of the world. Many people have claimed that it has 'changed their lives'.

The Independent report further mentions that rejection therapy is 'not a research-based form of psychotherapy'. In fact, it is a self-help method. The name was coined by a Canadian entrepreneur called Jason Comely, who reportedly created 'suggestion cards' that encouraged people to 'put themselves in situations where they could potentially be rejected', so as to build their courage for similar situations in the future.

Later, in 2012, Jia Jiang -- an entrepreneur and motivational speaker -- made it popular by floating a series of YouTube videos titled '100 Days of Rejection Therapy' that achieved millions of views. One video has been titled 'Borrow $100 from a Stranger'. Another says, 'Offer to Deliver Pizza'.

Jiang was quoted as telling Elite Daily: "If you're afraid of rejection, you often let the fear of rejection dictate what you would do next. You reject yourself way more than other people do."

Despite the uniqueness of this approach, many people remain sceptical. To understand more about it from the standpoint of mental health, we reached out to Dr Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, who said that rejection therapy is a 'novel approach' designed to help people conquer their fears and face rejection head-on. "By seeking out rejection in low-risk situations, through this therapy, individuals are believed to desensitise themselves to the anxiety that often accompanies refusals," she said, adding it can help one to become resilient and take rejection positively.

"This practice is also known to unlock hidden opportunities for personal growth and connection. According to this therapy, each time you face rejection, you develop a mindset of openness that encourages experimentation and boosts self-confidence in your social life. This therapy is also believed to make you confident enough to face and address your fears," the psychiatrist said.

But, Is Rejection Therapy Enough?

For those battling crippling anxiety, is rejection therapy a powerful-enough tool that can transform their lives? The psychiatrist advised seeking out an expert instead of relying on 'rejection therapy' or other TikTok trends.

"Remember, change cannot happen overnight and one has to safely overcome fear under the guidance of an expert. Try to opt for counseling instead of trying this trial-and-error-based rejection therapy that is becoming popular on social media. An expert will be able to address the fear and remove it from its root. This rejection therapy will not benefit in the long run, but counseling from an expert will surely do the trick," she concluded.