What is Duck Syndrome?

In today’s world where the use of social media is increasing day by day, the issue of what is duck syndrome often comes up. This syndrome, which has emerged as a problematic frequently pronounced by experts in recent years, is a situation that needs to be emphasized both in terms of its emergence story and its disorders, and especially families are asked to be careful with their children. Because experts point out that permanent behavioral disorders may occur if attention is not paid. Social media has generally become a medium where individuals reflect themselves in the way they want to show themselves, rather than how they really are. The theme of unhappiness is almost non-existent in these applications. In general, pictures or videos showing moments of success and happiness are shared. This can be perceived by other users as ‘something achieved without any success’. This is basically what the duck syndrome refers to.

Duck syndrome is the delusion that others have easy access to positive emotions. It creates the feeling of being unhappy with another person’s happiness. This negative emotion, which is felt most of the time, can cause individuals to behave in a way that is not in accordance with their self-concept, and to display emotions that they do not feel. According to psychologists, this is a dangerous situation. It is especially important for children. Because it can have lasting effects in the long term. So let’s examine what this syndrome is, who it can be seen in and its symptoms. Let’s also take a look at whether it can be cured. Enjoy your reading. https://youtu.be/bCKVYs6klig

What is duck syndrome is when an individual sees the life of others as great from the outside and is not interested in the invisible part of it . Feeling as if it is effortlessly earned comes to the fore. The individual has a serious feeling of unhappiness because he or she cannot have that happiness or success despite working so hard.

Stanford University The story of this syndrome proposed by scientists is quite interesting. One day a father and his son were sitting by a lake. At that moment, a duck was passing by the shore of the lake. Its motionless but uniquely beautiful glide over the water attracted the attention of the boy and he said to his father, “Dad, look at it, how beautiful it swims. Isn’t it interesting that it can swim so well without moving at all?” His father looks at him with a smiling expression and says: “Look, son, the beauty you see and the effortlessness you think is an illusion. What is seen is not always what is real. Because this duck, which you say is doing nothing, is actually making a great effort under the water to swim.”

As you can see, this story actually tells us clearly about the duck syndrome. Nothing in life is as it seems. This is especially true in social media. We should not forget that there may be many reasons and efforts behind the happiness and success of others’ posts.

Symptoms of Duck Syndrome

Everyone who is familiar with the subject and uses social media extensively is sure to ask themselves, ‘do you have duck syndrome? Or parents worry about it for their children. In fact, with a few questions, the individual can find out whether they have the symptoms or not. We have listed questions that may be symptoms of duck syndrome for you.

Why am I not as happy as he is?
Is there any favoritism behind his success?
Whereas I work hard, but why can’t I be as successful as them?
Am I happy enough?
Why can’t I get what I want?

These questions can be further diversified. Everyone can add a question from their own life. In fact, if we start asking ‘why’ too often when we look at others in general, it can be a symptom of a serious duck syndrome. Also, if we have a high percentage of thoughts with the word ‘if only’ in our social media surfing, this can also be a kind of symptom. We should know that not every problem has the same effect on people. Because the reflections are never the same. Some people have a different threshold for pain and others have a different understanding of happiness. For this reason, we should not compare our own self and life with others. This is the only way to stay away from the duck syndrome.

How Do I Know If I Have Duck Syndrome?

Although it is simple to understand from an individual point of view, it can sometimes be difficult. Because people find it difficult to accept that they have this syndrome. You can understand it by asking yourself some questions. Most fundamentally, it can be a serious symptom if you often feel ‘if only’ and ‘why’ about different experiences. Also, a feeling that other people’s successes are effortless can lead you to duck syndrome.

Duck Syndrome Treatment

The desire to be liked and admired on social media on the internet can lead to changes in the behavior of both individuals and societies today. As we say ‘how happy everyone is’, the person can behave in a way that he/she is not himself/herself. In an unhappy moment, they try to look like they are happy. Such behaviors fall under the category of behavioral disorders in psychology. It can create permanent problems and lead individuals to unhappiness. But is there a treatment for duck syndrome? What are the solutions? Here are the details…

Treatment for Stanford duck syndrome is possible, but individuals must first be determined. Unfortunately, it is not possible to solve problems permanently where there is no resistance. While pedagogues help children, adults can start the treatment process by going to therapists or psychologists. One can also get rid of this syndrome on their own. For those who ask how, let’s list a few points.

The first step is for the individual to accept that they have this problem. Otherwise it is not possible to treat the syndrome.
The second step is determination. The individual must say to himself/herself, ‘I will get out of this behavior and state of mind’. Being determined makes the process even easier.
One of the most important steps is to reduce and minimize the use of social media. In fact, if possible, it would be the surest option to stop using it completely.
Instead of being unhappy in the happiness of others, one should focus on the details of one’s own life and find happiness in them.

While the treatment of duck syndrome can be easy in adults, the process can be a little more difficult in children. Because these individuals, who are in the most sensitive and fragile periods of their lives, may have problems discovering the right behaviors. At this point, the importance of the responsibilities of families emerges. It is possible to make the treatment healthier with the help of experts.

Do Children Get Duck Syndrome?

The answer to this much-asked question is, of course, viable. In fact, children are at the top of the risk groups. Today, the use of social media has fallen to very young ages. Although technology provides many advantages, it can also bring behavioral disorders. For this reason, the most important task for parents is to supervise their children’s use of technology. Controlled use means preventing duck syndrome and many other problems. Remember, there are more than 8 billion people in the world. That means 8 billion different stories and emotions. So don’t be interested in other people’s happiness and successes and pay attention to your own feelings. Finding happiness will be easier than you think.