Hello, again.
I wonder if there’s such a thing as “election stress” or “attack ad depression” or “chronic polling anxiety”. What do you think this overlong, overfunded, over-the-top battle is doing to the mental health of us citizens?
Please share your impressions about this - especially those of you who see lots of people in your practice.
How about the extended tension and suspense of months of waiting for a result, pumped up by the needs of the 24/7 news cycle? It’s become subtext for everything else in our waking day. Does it result in one big national stomach ache or migraine?
How many of us just want to withdraw from too many months of election stress and discomfort? What does it do to our sense of efficacy and well-being when, for hours, we’re passively listening to the same strident distortions of various bits of minutia, over and over again.
It’s bad everywhere, but here in Ohio, holy cow! It’s a nonstop deluge of mean-spirited messaging on TV, radio, blogs and at live events. I swear, it’s a lot like being one of the kids in a crazy, dysfunctional family. I’ll be happy when this is over and I stop getting 30 screaming emails a day, along with infinite numbers of robo-calls.
On a happier note, stay tuned for some new imagery coming your way. The awesome Traci Stein, who’s created our new, super-popular self-esteem imagery is now putting together a new guided hypnosis program to help with procrastination.
And I’ve begun my research for a new ADHD narrative. So that’s also a reminder for you to keep on sending me your thoughts, reactions, wishes, needs, challenges and successes with ADHD, either your own or your kid’s or your client’s. All input is welcome.
Take care and be well.
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
Comments (15)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
...
written by Valerie, October 23, 2012
written by Valerie, October 23, 2012
Belleruth,
You have expressed exactly what I've been experiencing these past few months! I was beginning to experience what I call "election fatigue" and have been taking steps to avoid it. Keeping the radio and TV off helps, as well as letting the robo-calls go to voice mail. I've also been using your Stress and Healthful Sleep guided meditation tools.
You have expressed exactly what I've been experiencing these past few months! I was beginning to experience what I call "election fatigue" and have been taking steps to avoid it. Keeping the radio and TV off helps, as well as letting the robo-calls go to voice mail. I've also been using your Stress and Healthful Sleep guided meditation tools.
...
written by Elizabeth Teeters, October 23, 2012
written by Elizabeth Teeters, October 23, 2012
I live in a part of the country where the majority of my friends and community hold a set of political (and theological) beliefs that are different from mine. I love these people and honor their rights to those principals and beliefs. I do not, however, feel the same reciprocity from them. The resulting stress for me is that I feel alienated and hopeless that I can ever feel at home here. I have not listened to the debates and have watched very little of the local and national news. I feel too much anxiety when I do. I will be glad when this is all over. I do not anticipate, however, that the hate and intolerance will dissipate.
...
written by Patryce A. Smith PhD, October 23, 2012
written by Patryce A. Smith PhD, October 23, 2012
Hello,
People becoming so bogged down by the nasty attitudes of others and the information that is sensationalized by a 24 hour media has taken on a whole world of its own.
Perhaps using one's power centers and informing others it is time to STOP would be helpful for our country.
Really didn't we learn that 'enough is enough' when we were children. Interesting how as a country we are trying to clean up the bullying that is happening by children in this country of ours yet NOT looking at all of the adults that are bullying friends and family to believe in the same ways that they believe. Whether this is religious or political. Time to say enough and bring one back to center and a quiet place to reflect on all of the 'nonsense' being strewed about of who has the 'real' answers. The bright side is the election has given one a time to really 'look' at those people that you thought were rather decent human beings and have discovered perhaps those are not folks that you would want to continue having relationships with as our country moves on in the cycle of life. Or perhaps re-examine how other country's must 'look' at our country and do not want to adopt many of the cultures we have here in America. Smile from within and know "This too shall pass".
People becoming so bogged down by the nasty attitudes of others and the information that is sensationalized by a 24 hour media has taken on a whole world of its own.
Perhaps using one's power centers and informing others it is time to STOP would be helpful for our country.
Really didn't we learn that 'enough is enough' when we were children. Interesting how as a country we are trying to clean up the bullying that is happening by children in this country of ours yet NOT looking at all of the adults that are bullying friends and family to believe in the same ways that they believe. Whether this is religious or political. Time to say enough and bring one back to center and a quiet place to reflect on all of the 'nonsense' being strewed about of who has the 'real' answers. The bright side is the election has given one a time to really 'look' at those people that you thought were rather decent human beings and have discovered perhaps those are not folks that you would want to continue having relationships with as our country moves on in the cycle of life. Or perhaps re-examine how other country's must 'look' at our country and do not want to adopt many of the cultures we have here in America. Smile from within and know "This too shall pass".
...
written by Donna, October 23, 2012
written by Donna, October 23, 2012
I find the vitriol distressing to say the least. I have had to greatly limit my exposure to TV and radio, and have unsubscribed from almost all my friends on fb bc of THEIR constant campaigning for 'their guy', on both sides of the aisle. I only peek at their pages when im feeling thick skinned. When one of the candidates made supportive statements about Lyme disease an avalanche of attacks ensued, not only directed toward him but the entire chronic Lyme community. So hurtful. Very difficult to see our fellow citizens losing all perspective and hope, threatening to move away if the election goes the 'wrong' way. My approach is one of faith that we as a nation will work through our growing pains together, using our strongest assets (compassion and creativity) to solve our problems. I feel I'm in a minority but i stll believe thats true (they don't call me Pollyanna for nothing). I listened to. TED talk today by Jonathan Haidt on moral roots of liberals and conservatives.... Wonderful, and he reminds us that Yin doesn't hate Yan- they need each other. Great question!
...
written by John, October 23, 2012
written by John, October 23, 2012
Thank you for this forum! I think that portrayals of violence (crime shows, police shows, crime news, war news), and negative criticisms, in political ads, are mentally depressing. Maybe it would be good if everyone registered as Independent, and not try to influence anyone else's voting. Labels and name-calling do not accomplish anything. I would like to vote for people who sincerely want to help people, aside from political labels. In ads, I would like to see ordinary people having polite mini-discussions about the importance of truthfulness and of people, with money being a by-product of helping people. The more that people help each other, the less we need the Government to help us. When we want to solve problems, we need to put more money (public and private) into solving problems, and less money into temporary personal pleasures and addictions. We need to have more free clinics, and more use of Health Journeys products (No, Belleruth doesn't pay me anything.). A way to be happy is to help other people to be happy. "I think I can! I think I can!". Thank you!
...
written by Susan B. Landry, October 23, 2012
written by Susan B. Landry, October 23, 2012
George Lakoff, the Political Brain details the effects on the brain of the fear tactics of those who are hoping concerned citizens just give up and stay home, hopeless to achieve change. He is a professor of Cognitive Linguistics at Berkely, which means he studies how communications make us feel, think, and act.
...
written by Steve Anderson, October 23, 2012
written by Steve Anderson, October 23, 2012
You've expressed something I've really been feeling lately, so much so that I'm actively casting about for a way to leave the country and move someplace else. I've tried to be careful and not contribute to it but it's very difficult and I don't know if I can face the next few years regardless of who wins. Now I know why people retreat to mountain cabins.
...
written by Belleruth, October 23, 2012
written by Belleruth, October 23, 2012
On a lighter note, these inspired suggestions for additional diagnostic categories were posted on my Facebook page - a reminder that humor can be an antidote for some of this aggravation; and that the creativity of our national sense of humor has the capacity to out-shout the pettiness:
Martha H Howard MD suggested PEST or Pre-Election Stress Trauma.
Priscilla Warner wrote about Political Punditry Panic Attacks for Huffpo.
Bill O'Hanlon offered Elective Dysfunction.
Swami Beyondananda writes about Irony Deficiency.
Martha H Howard MD suggested PEST or Pre-Election Stress Trauma.
Priscilla Warner wrote about Political Punditry Panic Attacks for Huffpo.
Bill O'Hanlon offered Elective Dysfunction.
Swami Beyondananda writes about Irony Deficiency.
...
written by Feather Schroeder, October 23, 2012
written by Feather Schroeder, October 23, 2012
So glad to know I'm not the only one feeling physically sick listening to so many candidates attack one another. Hearing only negative remarks leads one to wonder whether ANYTHING is going well these days. And this is so unrealistic! One solution: Listening to Belleruth's Positive Affirmations ...
...
written by Shirley Baptiste Zwahl, October 24, 2012
written by Shirley Baptiste Zwahl, October 24, 2012
Belleruth has hit the nail on the head. The hate and anger that seems to be permeating the environment we live in is growing. But we do have a choice. We can turn it off or we can strongly filter it!
Susan Landry also talks about the psychology behind the negative politics, and although we may not recognize what's at play here, we as individuals can take back our right NOT to be subjected to the viciousness that's being spread.
All of this negativity creates extremely low morale for the folks I work with in the military. They hear things like, your future is on the line not just as a member of the active duty military but when you retire or as a veteran. So they feel like their sacrifice was for nothing.
I believe the solution is to strongly filter or turn off the negativity. Add positive activities by using some of the resources available through Health Journeys and other mind-body wellness venues, spend time with family, etc. All of those things have been proven to produce benefits that out live the negativity.
Beneficial habits are just as hard to break as bad ones!
Susan Landry also talks about the psychology behind the negative politics, and although we may not recognize what's at play here, we as individuals can take back our right NOT to be subjected to the viciousness that's being spread.
All of this negativity creates extremely low morale for the folks I work with in the military. They hear things like, your future is on the line not just as a member of the active duty military but when you retire or as a veteran. So they feel like their sacrifice was for nothing.
I believe the solution is to strongly filter or turn off the negativity. Add positive activities by using some of the resources available through Health Journeys and other mind-body wellness venues, spend time with family, etc. All of those things have been proven to produce benefits that out live the negativity.
Beneficial habits are just as hard to break as bad ones!
...
written by Barbara Belton, October 24, 2012
written by Barbara Belton, October 24, 2012
Living in another one of what some are calling a 'battleground state' like Ohio....whew! what an experience this has been! and what an opportunity to practice what we've learned about keeping our own peace knowing that it ripples out. Being labeled with, recovering and healing from a mental illness (in my case complex pts) carries a remarkable freedom with it....who knew? Will not spend one precious minute of these precious days dragged down into this stuff! Been there...done that...found my way out...have the skills/knowledge of how not to return thanks to BR, HJ, et al! Autumn is in full swing in these rocky mountains and today all the windows/doors are open/breezes blowin/aspens glowin'/leaves fallin/people singin',a few dancin' and Johnny D cranked up..."thank god, I'm a country girl!"
...
written by Kathy Lipkin, October 24, 2012
written by Kathy Lipkin, October 24, 2012
Our extended family is very divided in politics - I have judgemental right wing relatives and judgemental left wing relatives. it's so bad that I was nervous in August, before my son's bar mitzvah. I cringed at the thought of unstructured social time with the mix.
I have had enough of this mudslinging. This election has brought out the worst in many people. Countin' the days...
I have had enough of this mudslinging. This election has brought out the worst in many people. Countin' the days...
...
written by JaneHurst, October 26, 2012
written by JaneHurst, October 26, 2012
The campaign and all the negativity have brought out less than positive things in my own character, like being willing to disparage the other side in ways I don't respect. I don't want to kill 'em, but I resent the war analogies in the campaign. This is democracy, and there's nothing to take back if you respect the democratic process. I feel as if democracy is imperiled by all the money and negativity and lies. Depressing.
Write comment
Show/hide comment form
I was traumatized as well when the BP oil spewed into the gulf for so many days. ugh