‘Pressure of Great British Bake Off is a double-edged sword’, warns psychiatrist
EXCLUSIVE: During The Great British Bake Off series 15, one contestant is asked: “Are you enjoying yourself?” the budding pro baker replies: “No.” Given that baking, generally speaking, is known for being a fun pastime, the pressure the contestants are facing in the tent has Reality Tidbit wanting to dig deeper into the science behind […]
EXCLUSIVE: During The Great British Bake Off series 15, one contestant is asked: “Are you enjoying yourself?” the budding pro baker replies: “No.” Given that baking, generally speaking, is known for being a fun pastime, the pressure the contestants are facing in the tent has Reality Tidbit wanting to dig deeper into the science behind it all. Cue expert Ozan Toy – He’s a psychiatrist who gives the 411 on what the competitors may be experiencing.
The Great British Bake Off is the perfect remedy for a bad day. Anyone in need of a pick-me-up needn’t go any further than the Channel 4 show for a dose of warm, quintessentially British goodness. However, a chat with a psychiatrist on the competing process could suggest a darker side to whipping up a Viennese whirl.
Expert warns of ‘significant mental pressure’
Taking part in any competition can be nerve-wracking but having your kitchen skills tested on national TV is a different kettle of fish.
Ozan Toy MD, MPH of Telapsychiatry tells Reality Tidbit: “Contestants are not only tasked with performing intricate skills but also under time constraints. And to boot, they also face public scrutiny and the possibility of failure on national television.
Fans will recall seeing the contestants creating all kinds of artistic bakes in episodes 1 and 2 already. Viennese whirl swans and handbags made of cake have been rustled up.
“This high-pressure environment can cause anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelm, as seen in contestants breaking down in tears on this show,” the psychiatrist adds.
Psychiatrist says ‘pressure is a double-edged sword’
GBBO is oozing English countryside charm, but Ozan tells us he thinks “this type of pressure” seen on the series “is a double-edged sword.”
He continues: “Some people perform better with pressure, while others falter. For some, the pressure may enhance focus and performance, but for others, it can lead to stress and mental exhaustion, impacting their ability to perform optimally.”
Viewers have seen many of their favorite competitors crumble under pressure, but others thrive and come back fighting each week.
“Competition, especially in a skill-based hobby like baking, can turn an otherwise enjoyable activity into a source of emotional strain. The public setting, combined with the desire to meet personal and external expectations, adds a layer of psychological difficulty that contestants must navigate,” adds Ozan.
By the sounds of things, it really is down to the individual to determine whether they’re up for the competitive environment.
Ozan adds: “Ultimately, while Bake Off may look charming and fun, the stress of competing on such a grand stage can take a toll on mental well-being, requiring resilience and emotional regulation from participants to thrive under pressure. However, how this pressure affects someone is an individualized experience.”
WATCH THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF ON CHANNEL 4 EVERY TUESDAY AT 8 PM