ADAA Blog: Dealing with Election Anxiety?

[ADAATeamRachel]

Dealing with Election Anxiety? A Psychiatrist Explains how to Channel your Fears and Break out of Tribal Thinking

"Watching the news leaves people from both parties exhausted, sad and scared about the future. Each half of the country is made to believe the other half is stupid, deeply misguided, immoral, dishonest or maliciously plotting to ruin the country they themselves love," says ADAA member Arash Javanbakht, MD.

"Media organizations on both sides of the political spectrum recognize that negative news keeps the audience engaged. Whichever news channel you watch, when was the last time you turned away happy, energized and peaceful? More often you end up feeling the whole world is going down in flames.

You can care about your sanity and your country at the same time."

Here are some practical tips: adaa.org/learn-from-us/from...

[fauxartist]

When Biden stepped down and Kamala stepped up...

[Peptink]

I have found myself facing this daily. I’m tired of the attacks! I’ve decided to only listen to what the candidates say they will do and not to constantly put fear in us by telling us how bad the other candidate is. I’ve basically cut out all the negatives. All I can do is vote for who I think the best candidate will do the best job.

[Beanpie]

I'm having to avoid the news at this point because I get to where I can't function. Part of my problem is I am very well read, informed, and am an atheist who hears a lot of hate directed at me. Lately my choice of coping is to look at real estate listings and pretend I'm moving, but that's not really enough to help. If anyone has any better tips I would love to hear them because I'm not sure I am going to get through this. My brain is hitting it's limit.

[ScarlettRose12 in reply to Beanpie]

I’m doing the exact same. I’ve spent hours looking at real estate listings even though I know I can’t move right now. It’s maddening.

[Catt02]

There's still 8 days to be positive, hopeful and choose faith over fear. But it also means being honest and vigilant in the face of adversity which may very well come in the form of a fascist regime. I would suggest we have the absolute right to be happy. We are innocent and that cannot change. Find the good in others for they are your ticket to peace! ☮️ Take heart in this. ❤️

[Sugaree]

election day is here and my anxiety is over the top.

[ADAATeamRachel Partner in reply to Sugaree]

Hey Sugaree, I definitely understand how you feel and so do thousands of people who are feeling election anxiety, especially today. Know that you are not alone in this! At adaa.org we have several blogs that discuss election anxiety and give tips/suggestions about how to combat it. I also posted another blog to Health Unlocked called "Politics and Mental Health: Finding Balance". I hope that these resources can provide some relief and peace from the anxiety you are feeling!