Anxiety due to upcoming election

[lionkingfan22]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this community so I’m not sure if I’m doing this right. For a few months now, I’ve been having panic attacks over the upcoming election. I’m scared for our country and what the outcome is going to be. How are you coping if you’re feeling the same way? Last night’s debate really made my anxiety worse.

[VDC1]

I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way. The debate really disturbed me and I’m not even American.

[lionkingfan22 in reply to VDC1]

It was a disaster. A few friends from outside of the country said the exact same as you

[Hidden]

Yes it is a worrying time. The debate really highlighted all the the division and frustration that’s happening. I just think we need to pray for our country. Anxiety doesn’t actually solve any problems, but prayer can. 🙏

[lionkingfan22 in reply to Hidden]

I’m personally not a religious person but I will have to take your word on this one!

[Hidden in reply to lionkingfan22]

I’m afraid that’s exactly what is wrong with our country: people don’t believe in prayer anymore. Think about it: One nation under God, indivisible.

A nation without God....? A mess.

God bless the USA. ❤️

[crisbal]

I feel you 100%. Last night heightened all my anxieties regarding the future of our country. Deep breathing and avoiding social media/news for a few days whenever my anxiety levels get too high have helped me out some, but the closer and closer we get to the elections the worse I start to feel. I try to remind myself that I don't have much control over this situation and no matter what happens, we will emerge stronger than ever before. Writing it out always helps too.

[lionkingfan22 in reply to crisbal]

Very true I love what you said!

[JFishing2]

I used to be a news/politics fanatic, but can’t stand it anymore. I avoid the news like the plague because it just results in anxiety.

[lionkingfan22 in reply to JFishing2]

Yeah it really does. I’m not a fanatic I just like to be up to date you know but wow it’s awful

[Marshall64 in reply to JFishing2]

I'm the exact same way and I know a lot of other people feel it too. Seems like the media plays on fear and anger to get views / sell papers. Can't hardly escape it.

[lionkingfan22 in reply to Marshall64]

yea it’s very hard. we can only hope for the best which is also hard but as someone else said no matter what happens we’ll come out stronger

[evilspicy in reply to JFishing2]

It's so hard to want to stay up to date on the political front but at the same time, I'm with you, I avoid it because of the stress of it all.

[JFishing2 in reply to evilspicy]

The news media doesn’t help anything either. So much of what they produce is meant to garner clicks, so it’s full of fear mongering headlines, stories, etc.

[kleelibby in reply to JFishing2]

News junkie here. You’re smart to avoid the news, I’m trying to do that now and it’s difficult!

[JFishing2 in reply to kleelibby]

I totally understand haha. When I’m bored it’s like instinct....cnn.com etc. Then 5 minutes later I’m disgusted and like why the hell did I do that🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[kleelibby in reply to JFishing2]

Exactly! When I start yelling obscenities at the tv, it’s time to change the channel.

[Apena]

Yes it has been really disturbing- the debate felt hopeless . I definetly have been avoiding the news and trying to read books of anything besides politics as opposed to grabbing my phone - makes for a better day. Also I am accepting that the country is what it is right now — But I can still go on nurturing myself and enjoying my private world. Saw an interview w RBG where she was saying at her age she had seen major change and tides turn from very bad political situations and she remained an optimist and hopeful. This will pass - May take a while to reach its peak. and then a while to heal

[bluepepper1992]

I'm so glad that you posted this. I have been feeling the same way for a while. I don't want to be around for the results. People are going to gloat or have riots.

[evilspicy]

Oh, my friend, you are SOOO not alone on this. The baseline levels of anxiety have risen for me over this last year and I feel like it's not just my anxiety that I'm feeling but the anxiety of the entire country. It gets so bad that it's physically uncomfortable just to be conscious in my own body. I am legitimately fearful of where we are as a country. To be honest with you, I cope by knowing that I will do whatever I have to do to exercise my right to vote... and I pray because after that, it's out of my hands. I also try very hard not to get angry or sink into negative thoughts towards people. I think we are at a point in our development as humans where we have to actively choose positivity and love over hate and fear. It's challenging when things are so difficult, but if I can safeguard my thoughts, I can help my emotional state and avoid sinking into negativity.

[lionkingfan22 in reply to evilspicy]

I think a lot of anxiety stems from the fact that this is my first time voting for a presidential election!

[evilspicy in reply to lionkingfan22]

Congratulations on your first time voting and yeah, I hear what you mean. I've been old enough to vote for years, but this is only my second time voting.

[kleelibby]

I feel the same. The last time I saw my psychiatrist (before the debate) I started crying as soon as I sat down and said I was terrified for our democracy. That was the subject for the session.

[Ruthjs89]

I understand you want to be updated on current issues

But my best advice is dont watch amy news. Instead read about it. It tends to have a different effect on my anxiety maybe it will help you

[lionkingfan22 in reply to Ruthjs89]

Thank you for the advice and I have tried that but unfortunately I’m more of a visual/auditory type person so reading the news really doesn’t benefit me.

[lofi_cat]

Fellow panic attack sufferer here... It's interesting, sometimes anxiety is a pointless, futile chemical response, but sometimes it's pointing to really truly dangerous times. Right now might be one of those times. I agree, for those of us with anxiety problems, limiting news consumption can help. But also, for me, it's important to find ways to be a force for positivity. Encouraging people to vote, explaining the issues, etc. - this is similar to other ways of finding community and turning a negative into a positive. Whatever you do, try not to stew in your own juices, so to speak. If you can't use your anxiety for doing good, best to try to think about other things - or some combination of the two.

[texasbonnet]

I have stopped watching the news. I try to make myself keep up with the weather. When I go on my computer, I read the headline and not much else. The election scares me. But more than that, the division among the citizens of the US scares me. One against another, isn't that what Hitler did. He pumped up the citizens to hate one group (mainly). The U.S. can't and won't destroy itself. I am not a religious person. I prefer to use spiritual. That does include prayer. Hopefully, all can find some way to express our concern for our country and ask for help.

God Bless America

Land that I love

[bluesky85]

lionkingfan22 : politics can be a big trigger to my anxiety and depression.I stop watching all the debate and news,tune in some mediate music myself help me a lot.