Struggling after surgery & with political climate

[Indiegal]

I had surgery on my legs a little over a week ago and have been recovering at home since. I've gotten really depressed and am having anxiety, especially after watching the political news and reading about everyone's worst fears on social media regarding the outcome of the US election.

I can now walk around without crutches but can't walk too much and my feet swell after walking a little bit or sitting for more than an hour so I'm somewhat limited in my mobility. My teenage nephew is staying with me but he leaves during the day and I've only left the house twice to pick him up and go to dinner (was feeling a lot of pain and swelling after dinner).

I know a lot of this will pass after I'm fully recovered, but I feel stuck and depressed and anxious about so much right now. And some family members who support Trump have also made things worse by texting crazy ranks and hate for Democrats in a group text. I had to even block one brother. I just feel stuck and alone right now and possibly unreasonably fearful of life if Trump gets elected (or maybe it is reasonable).

Please don't come at me with your pro-Trump rants or religious suggestions. I am not religious and don't need converted. I'm just feeling very depressed and things like taking a walk or going out to get out of my head that I would normally do are not an option right now. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Nothing_but_books]

Hi Indiegal, Religious and political discussions aren't welcome here. Mostly, members are respectful of those limitations. I'm sorry your family isn't willing to zip it, that can be very triggering.

I don't have any advice, only ideas of what I do. I miss being outside without pain, but the internet is a marvelous window. I love birding, and Audubon has annual photo contests with pictures available online. You can take virtual hikes all over, search a trail you like, a museum, or maybe a zoo.

Bored Panda has tons of fun ways to pass the time.

Reddit has sub-forums to share interests with people. "Animals being derps" is a fun one.

You can ask Google to help you find poetry you enjoy.

Hoopla has books online, you only need your library card.

Last, Internet Archive has a huge library of books, music, films, and old television you can enjoy for free. They're kind of hard to search, so try Google till you find something you like.

[Indiegal in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Thank you! I will try those ideas. And I'm glad to hear politics isn't allowed. I certainly wasn't trying to start any kind of political discussion. I just wanted to share the source of my fears.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Indiegal]

You're not the only one here triggered by either or both. So... welcome!

[Starrlight]

I think it’s reasonable, I feel the same fear of the election as you. I’m sorry you are going through a lot after the surgery. I know it’s hard not to be able to get out to clear your mind like you normally could. ((((((((((((Hug))))))))))) I think writing it out like you’re doing is so healthy and I hope you can get some relief. Hmmm I’m wondering if you feel like drawing or coloring; it can really get me out of my head putting colors and shapes down on paper as an expression of how I feel. I wish I had more to give you. Stay strong.

[Indiegal in reply to Starrlight]

Thanks for the support. Even just hearing from others helps. I broke down crying after writing this post so I think it helped to get some things out. And then a friend happened to reach out to see how I was doing and asked if I wanted to meet up tonight. I told her it might be good to get out for an hour just to clear my head. So it was perfect timing.

I also was thinking of drawing or coloring to do something different. All I've been doing mostly is watching TV and being on social media so that hasn't been good for me. Maybe doing something creative will help. Thanks for your kind thoughts!

[Starrlight in reply to Indiegal]

Crying is so good. Have a good time with your friend!

[Pumpkin_48 in reply to Indiegal]

I like 2 color too. This reminds me 2 do it more. Sometimes I dance to music i check out from the library. Hoopla thru the library is good 4 books & movies too! I havent Been doing fun activities like I should tho, sometimes it helps me 2 put 'self-care' like officially write it in my calendar, and to-do list!

[GenevaRoth]

I'm a Republican, but whether it's a D or R in the White House, I don't think either makes a big difference. Frankly, both sides hold their candidate out to be an idolized god.

I'm so terribly sorry for what you are going through. Family can often be the most difficult people to get along with sometimes.

[Spud-u-Like1982 in reply to GenevaRoth]

Well said! That's the same in the United Kingdom. A few commentators here made a great remark (as we too have basically a two party system), that 'they are just two different cheeks of the same arse' (make that 'ass', if you're American). Nothing ever really changes, but they can be voted out.The fear I had, being Scottish, was losing my beloved United Kingdom, if Scotland was to go it alone. Thankfully that never happened, but I know alot of other unionists who were the same as me and it caused us alot of mental anguish, which was exacerbated by a certain aggressive, loudmouth element in the population.

[Indiegal in reply to GenevaRoth]

Thanks for your support!

[Spud-u-Like1982]

I share in your depression, but I'm definitely on the opposite end to you and I despair at the state of my own country - United Kingdom.The thing is, you can vote out a President, you have democracy, just think of all the countries around the world who don't have that option and people (predominantly women) who don't have the basic necessity of being treated like people, let alone having a right to be a woman and to choose their life path.

[Godless]

The dread that comes from this political season can be immense. I can attribute much of my depression recently to this. It feels like the institutions that were meant to protect our democracy are crumbling around us. The anxiety that it induces can be infuriating and scary.

[Indiegal in reply to Godless]

Yes, I think the fear of the worst that could happen is what causes me anxiety.

[nancy2021 in reply to Indiegal]

I feel exactly the same. It’s so discouraging and it is real and being worried about the future is affecting countless people. There needs to be a place where people can go to safely release their valid fears about the dangerous situation that we’re in without being silenced because it isn’t really about politics, it’s about survival. For some more than others. Just know that your concerns are valid and that you are not alone. I hope you were able to get out with your friend and get away from social media for a while. I do some volunteering, which helps but I’m guilty of being on social media a little too much as well. Hang in there!!

[Pumpkin_48 in reply to nancy2021]

Here is a good article from ADAA that addresses political anxiety with 3 questions you can check in with yourself at the end of the day instead of doomscrolling:adaa.org/learn-from-us/from...

[Hidden]

I, too, am very concerned about the future of this country. The only thing I can think to say at this point is an old stoic concept: focus your energies on things you can control and don’t waste your energy trying to control things that you can’t control.

[Indiegal in reply to Hidden]

Well, my biggest fear is losing that control in the future.

[nancy2021 in reply to Hidden]

This also applies to me. I’m very concerned but for my mental health, as well as my physical health I’ll take your good advice. Thank you!!

[Beevee]

Hi

It may help to know that anxiety is a master at blowing things out of proportion meaning stuff that would not cause a flicker of emotion is magnified multiple times. Molehills become mountains. Small irritations become huge!

My advice is to just sit with the anxious thoughts and feelings with a relaxed attitude. Developing a passive attitude towards the symptoms of anxiety ["yeah whatever!"] will eventually pay dividends.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Beevee]

Trauma does that too -- blowing things out of proportion. I absolutely agree with you about dealing with anxiety, but trauma triggers require a whole new set of skills.

[Beevee in reply to Nothing_but_books]

Yes trauma of any description can cause anxiety and probably requires the the person to adopt a different viewpoint to that trauma, one that they are comfortable with, allowing them to move forward.Acceptance will address the lingering symptons so long as the the underlying problem that is causing stress/anxiety has been addressed.

[Hidden]

I get it! This political climate and fear of mass violence following the election, the fighting and the hate is all so overwhelming and stressful. The gas lighting and dishonesty is making me question reality. It literally makes me pull my hair out. I've had to keep my TV off the past few weeks for the sake of peace.

[nancy2021 in reply to Hidden]

I feel the same way, exactly!! We are not alone and I wish there was a safe place to go to share our valid feelings without being accused of getting political because it’s no longer about that. I’ve cut back on my news consumption and if I watch TV, I try to keep it light like maybe watching cooking shows or documentaries. I also volunteer which helps too. I allow myself to watch the news on Monday nights now, inasmuch as that is possible.