It is no secret that fairy tales and cartoons are made to carry vital messages about life’s truths to children from an early age. The only problem that lies here is that they eventually become adult individuals and forget these essential and decisive things due to myriad life events and obstacles. Inside Out is one such cartoon with a simple yet philosophical message that shows its viewers the psychological origin of anxiety and depression in a person.
Both the creators of Inside Out and the YouTube narrator believe that there are two sources of the psychological disorders mentioned above. The first one is the suppression of those emotions that one wants to express, and the second is the conflict of two opposite feelings, such as happiness and sadness (Mind Set, 2016). They believe that if one is aware that they have a physical need to experience a specific emotion, they should do so despite the factors and circumstances of the external setting (Mind Set, 2016). In addition, suppressing this psychological impulse can lead to other mental illnesses, the development of a social phobia specifically. Postponement and avoidance of necessary and desired emotional expression also serve as harmful drivers of depression.
Being self-aware of one’s own emotional climate is also crucial for one’s stable and healthy mental state. Many people, especially the young ones, have unresolved internal psychological conflicts (Mind Set, 2016). Others do not understand why specific feelings such as nostalgia cause both joy and sadness, which then result in much more severe disorders and ailments than those discussed above. It is a unique phenomenon of such creative works as Inside Out to explain complex scientific topics through simple yet captivating visuals and narrative.
Reference
Mind Set. (2016). What causes anxiety and depression – Inside Out [Video]. YouTube. Web.