Anyone else having a mental health crisis over this administration?

[butdiduvote]

I've gotta admit, a big part of why I so desperately wanted Hillary to win was because I knew I wasn't mentally healthy enough for the level of persistent resistance that is required of us now. I was barely holding it together with anxiety and depression under Obama's presidency when life was "easy," and now every day is a constant battle just to keep the country's collective head above water. Not that I thought Hillary's presidency would be perfect, and I could just lay back knowing everything was puppies and rainbows in my government, but I could trust her to use good judgment and protect my and my fellow citizens' freedoms to her fullest potential.

I don't know what to do. I'm not just upset and angry; that would be normal. I feel like my entire body is shutting down. I can hardly think straight. I'm having nonstop migraines. I sleep through my alarm because I don't have the strength to force myself to get out of bed when I need to anymore. I tried going to a therapist last year post-election, and she dismissed my concerns as pretty trivial (I can't try finding another one now before anyone suggests it b/c mental health costs are higher under my new insurance plan that went into effect the beginning of this year). No one understands how much this election meant to me. It seems like it was "just an election" to everyone, including that therapist I went to, so there's no point trying even to talk to people about how it's affecting me. If anything, the second the election comes up, family and friends jump on an opportunity to tell me how terrible of a candidate Hillary was and how naive I was for supporting her, and I'm just thinking, "You have no idea how much her campaign meant to me, and you're shitting on one of the few things that gave me hope the past year to my face. Thanks."

I feel guilty every time I don't participate in a protest or don't read up on some new disastrous news story. Yet I feel like I can't participate in everything or even a lot of resistance efforts without literally dying. I felt like I was dying in the parking lot before I marched the day after the inauguration. I dunno, I just really feel like I won't survive fighting this shit for four years. I want to do my part in resisting normalizing, but my body and mind won't stop fighting against me. I knew this would happen if he won.

[CentralMass]

1. Nah, i was already there.

[Doodley]

2. You are not alone my friend.

Election night was the second worst night of my life. Only the night my mother passed on was worse. I truly believe that we are all in mortal danger, but I am not going to let Trump take over my life.

You have to focus on other things. Write, paint, draw, sport, whatever it may be. Find something and make that your focus. Find a long-term project. You cannot spend every moment thinking only about Trump and the crazy stuff he is doing. It may seem bleak, but put time aside, create non-Trump and non-politics and non-news time to find the fun stuff, the interesting stuff the challenging stuff, the stories that are happy. You have to find a balance.

[renate]

75. I get what you're saying

I sure wouldn't want to be on my deathbed thinking about how much mental energy I've put into hating Trump. I'd much rather think about the volunteering I'd done to help those affected by him or by the hardness of the world. It's the same effect but a huge difference in perspective.

[Frogg]

3. You are not alone

I wake up each morning and the first thing is a jolt and anxious thought of what he might have done during my sleep. Can't sleep at night now...my 85 year old mum breaks into spontaneous bouts of crying which she says is brought on by the thoughts of what he is already doing to the most vulnerable people of our society and what he will do next. I am trying to have a bit of faith that the majority of people in this country are decent and somewhat moral and when he crosses the threshold of tolerance for the fence-sitters waiting for the magical $60 an hour job that never materialises, they will wake up. Maybe it is a bit blue-eyed, but it is the only way I can cope at the moment. I heartily wish you some comfort and peace in this ride we are finding ourselves. I am trying to focus my attention to the beautiful acts of compassion and support I am seeing from the resistance. Born in the early 60's, I always wished I had been old enough to understand the beauty and power of those activists and their own resistance. Guess I am getting my own shot at being a part of such a grand movement now. I'm sure the protesters and activists during that time were angry, frightened and feeling much like we are right now. But what a beautiful part of history each of them has a place now! So...I hope you are able to find your own path to equanimity and know you are indeed making history with your own empathy and support in whatever fashion you choose to participate. Blessings to you...

[MontanaMama]

4. First, you're in the same spot as a lot of us are.

So don't beat yourself up. I'm still pretty new here but it seems to me, in getting to know folks on this site, that we all have days that we can barely function and days that we join hands, fight and live to see another day. This site has saved my sanity. I appreciate the candor, thoughtfulness, and support I've found here. If we can be in community and pick each other up when one of us is down then we can all move forward.

I'm back in therapy myself and it is a lifeline during these dark days. Sounds like the therapist you saw is a tool. I'm sorry! This was more than election and anybody who doesn't see that is not entitled to your trust, money or time. Please dont give up. There are some good mental health providers out there. Our lives have been turned upside down. This is awful. That fact bears respect.

And family and friends that don't get it? Holy hell. That hurts. I know. I've walked away from some relatives and friends that are gloating trump humpers and it is a deal breaker for me. Not getting together for dinner, coffee or anything else. Life in general is difficult enough without those fools making it harder.

Do what you can. Practice self care. I'm glad you are here.

[narnian60]

80. +1

Well said!

[mnhtnbb]

5. Yes, and lots of other people are, too. You are not alone

and the therapist you saw was less than professional to dismiss your concerns.

My husband is a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst. He told me that every one of his patients who saw him the week after the election
came in wanting to talk about the election.

I am seeing a psychiatrist myself and he told me his other patients were also all talking about the negative health effects they have
from the outcome of the election...and are still having problems after the inaugural and the disastrous first week of Trump's regime.

It may be a reflection of the fact that we live in a very blue area--usually votes 60-70% Dem--even though we are in NC.

I told my husband that I felt the best I have in a long time today and the reason was I got involved in something other than politics
this afternoon, and that was doing some research for an upcoming trip we have planned in April. It made such a difference to be
thinking about something fun.

So, yes, do find something else fun to occupy yourself for at least part of the day. Take the dog for extra walks, play with the kitty,
go out and look at the stars at night or clouds passing during the day like when we were kids trying to see faces or animals in them.
Go to the library and get out some good books to read. Put on some music and dance around the house.

Try joining up with a group of fellow Dems in your area--make some new friends--it sounds as though it would be good to be able to get
together for coffee--not just resisting and protests--to support one another individually.

Hang in there!

[athena]

15. My therapist agrees.

In fact, during the election, we would sometimes end up talking for several minutes about our anxiety about the possibility of Trump winning (yes, she was worried, too). It's completely normal, especially if you have a history of trauma.

[TrekLuver]

6. Listen you do what you can. If you can't participate in a protest you can pick up the phone...if

you can't do that then send and email or a postcard.. and if you can't do that you can post here with people of like minds. If you want you can retweet ...you don't even have to say anything...just retweet with the hashtags. Sometimes it's best to just turn it all of for awhile. It will be here when you get back.

I believe that there are enough of us in this that there are always going to be people showing up. If enough of us make a commitment to do what we can we are going to be alright. But we are in this together. There are sooo many of us..this isn't a little fringe group here.

[Phoenix61]

7. Just a thought

A lot of people were grieving right after the election and a lot of them are doing much better now. But grieving is a very personal experience and we all move through it at our own speed. It is overwhelming to see all the things that need to be done but the most important thing is to be kind to yourself. Rest until you are rested and feel strong again. This isn't a sprint or even a marathon, it's a relay race. Rest until it's your turn to carry the baton. Do what you can do with joy. If your mind and body are telling you to rest, listen. Maybe your turn is simply to get out and vote when it's that time and that's ok.

[Gman]

8. Sorry but, we needed this.

Yeah it's stressful. But I've been saying for 30 years, we'll have to lose everything before people get off their butts (not you personally) and do something. People have been way too complacent. Now they have to pay attention whether they want to or not.

[Cha]

25. No, We Didn't Need this.. tell that to the Planet.. our SCOTUS and

all the People who will be suffering under trump/putin/bannon EOs

Those like stein and sarandon who advocated for this are sitting on their Millions while the poor will go hungry and homeless in our Country. People have been beaten and killed because of trump hate on everyone who isn't a gd psycho.

Link to tweet

they damn well will.. sitting on their millions while the Planet goes to shite and people go hungry and Immigrants banned from the US by "the bumbler" according the ever present idiot, jill stein

Dangerous#1 Dangerous#2 Dangerous#3 stein on trump & Hillary

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[LisaM]

27. I agree, Cha.

I'm tired of this. There are more of us than there are of them. And I am not going to apologize for having a moral compass.

[Gman]

43. This is mild compared to what other countries go through

It had to happen before we can really make progress. And we brought it on ourselves because of our own stupidity.

[Cha]

44. This is our Country.. our lives. Our Planet. We did NOT "need" trump..

that's BullSHIT.

[Madam45for2923]

47. With you Cha! People think this is a game.

[Cha]

51. Yeah, the rich who can afford to live their lives

under trump.. there are too many of us who can't. It pisses me off.. the SCOTUS.. THE EPA, the PLANET.. blotus has already filed to run in 2020.. that means he can start raking in the money now for GIANT PILES OF FAKE NEWS.

Florida Congressman drafts bill to abolish EPA

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bill-to-abolish-epa_us_5890e638e4b02772c4e9c552?ld4owug4bfgsnhfr

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028576956

Mahalo, Madam!

[Raine1967]

66. +1 & beyond.

We did not need this.

I am so over this burn the house down bull shit.

[Hekate]

40. No. Just no.

[hamsterjill]

57. I'm trying to see something "positive", and it's hard.

The Reverend Dr. William Barber mentioned something similar to your comment in a Facebook live event yesterday. Someone asked him about hope for the future.

He said he saw a lot of division, but at the same time, he is seeing a lot of coming together. The women's march, the protests, etc.

To that extent, I agree that coming together is a positive thing. I just wish there was a better, long-term game plan, and obviously, more bang for the buck. I realize it's early in the process.

I am trying hard to see small snippets of positivity. They are few and far between these days. But they are there.

[Raine1967]

67. This is a pretty cold response to a heartfelt OP.

This is a person pouring their heart out and you are saying we need it?

Cold. You are cold.

[butdiduvote]

70. Thank you

I wrote this post while I was in a particularly bad place mentally, and this post was very hurtful to read at the time.

[butdiduvote]

69. I don't know who this "we" is,

but I promise you, as I spend another night asking myself whether I can justify the cost of admitting myself to the hospital, I did not need this shit. Fuck anyone who thinks this is merely just "stressful."

[herding cats]

71. What's going to rise from the ashes won't be the imaginary Phoenix some expect.

We're being shoved to the right drastically now. People will willingly settle for less progressive ideals, so long as they're not so extreme. That's how modern people reason things out in their minds.

This isn't a legendary turning point, it's an epic setback we're all going to pay for for the rest of our lives while we fight to regain ground.

On edit: Your words were painfully in the wrong place at the wrong time here. That you couldn't see that saddens me, and makes me all the more aware of how out of touch the 'destroy the country, so it can be rebuilt into our idealized version' is. Many people begin to feel beaten down, overwhelmed, distraught, and generally unable of processing events. Their health is literally effected by these events, and their ability to be enact their civil duties are, too.

I get very upset when I see this BS collateral damage for the cause mentality.

[dionysus]

72. This OP, man... part of me thinks, trump hasn't even DONE anything yet, if people are literally

Incapacitated by his winning the election alone... boy are we fucked.

I can't imagine having a douchebag elected president would hit someone that hard... he's a POS but not adolf hitler. It's an election.

BUT, I have suffered from extreme anxiety and depression before (from a sudden family death, not an election, but still), and you can REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE DYING...

So while to me it seems to be a massively extreme over-reaction to an election... even though it was for a totally different reason for me, I've felt the way that person has felt before, and it sucks terribly, terribly bad.

[butdiduvote]

77. I'm not saying it's rational

It's neither rational nor helpful. It's just how my body is reacting. I would give anything to make it stop. I feel like all of the crying and constant chest pressure is aging me.

[dionysus]

78. I believe you... like said, ive felt the same way... you feel likebyou're being crushed in a vice

[butdiduvote]

79. Yes, perfect way to describe it.

And nothing really helps. I'm glad anxiety pills help some people, but all they do is make me feel like I'm being crushed in the vice while sleepy.

[joshcryer]

84. The system is designed to resist major change.

There's no way around that.

Even Trump can't fuck us completely. Most of his efforts will hurt people in small, but tangible, ways, mostly mitigated by the efforts of those resisting. So they won't really be seen until largely after he's left office and the Democrats have to pick up the mess.

History is basically repeating itself with Donald taking the place of George W. Bush, following ignorant, libertarian-like policies on economics, conservative policies on social issues, and overall just making a mess of things.

[sarcasmo]

9. Drinking more and a little less sleep.

[kimbutgar]

10. Everyone I know expresses some sort of depression over his presidency

I have decided it is not going to take me down and stopped watching cable news. It seems to add to my misery.i have to be strong because outside of protesting I could easily become depressed.
I do though wake up wondering what horrible thing is going to happen today so I don't turn on the news until I am ready to face the $hit of chump.

Be strong, stay strong and say f to chump is my attitude.

[butdiduvote]

11. That's a good idea.

As soon as I manage to pry myself out of bed, I reach for my phone to see what he managed to destroy while I was asleep. Maybe I'll try to make a habit out of spending the first few hours of the day in blissful ignorance instead of getting myself all worked up right off the bat.

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. Not doing so well at all. A lot of anxiety and anger and generally pissed off at 62+ million tRump

voters.

[AC_Mem]

13. I understand.

I'm a strong person, but there are days, sometimes hours, where I feel like I'm shattered glass.

I'm looking for a local support group and if I can't find one, I may start one.

Bless you on your journey.

Ac

[nikibatts]

14. There is a time and place for everything. We will need people to get out there and register folks,

make certain they have proper IDs and help them to get them. The Trump supporters will never change..don't even bother with them. We need to run candidates in every place we can...especially in the gerrymandered red spots. Change party registration if necessary. The willfully ignorant often just vote for anyone not Democratic. It is a known fact the that many GOP folks run as Democrats when it is necessary (Sheriff Clark for one.)

If new jobs come to these area some of us should even move to those areas. We need to invade and occupy. There are enough wealthy liberals to buy second homes cheaply in the rust belt. we need to fight with all we have. My son and daughter-in-law are already considering making a move. They figure that many of the jobs that will be seeded in the rust belt will require technical skills that the natives won't have because automation will be filling a lot of those jobs. Housing is cheaper too and they need the work.

Our numbers alone should keep us from losing PA ever again provided we don't stay home or vote third party. We need to intensify efforts for voting in state and local elections. Governorships are crucial. No seat at any level should be uncontested.
We need to get out the vote like our lives depend on it, because they do.

[AgadorSparticus]

16. I am anxious. But I am the anxious type. I have learned good cooling skills,though

Now i am adding my coping skills to my political world which i have never had to do to such a degree. I have never been this shaken up. But the more they try to shake ne, the more I respond by doing. By setting up little achievable goals like organizing, joining groups, firing people up, signing people up, donating, writing, etc. It makes me feel good.

[ecstatic]

17. It's a lot to process and sort through

I think the biggest obstacle to acceptance, at least for me, is the lack of closure regarding what really happened. It's not clear whether he truly won or if key counties were stolen. Even if he did win, it wasn't a clean win. There was massive voter suppression.

Then there's the unfairness of how the media, FBI, etc. behaved during the campaign. Hillary worked her ass off while that arrogant, lazy fuck got to waltz in to the White House with zero effort.

Then there's the people who actually voted for Trump. It's hard to wrap my mind around how people can be so stupid. It seems like getting through to them is a lost cause.

And now that he's inaugurated, we see that Trump's admin is all that we feared and worse. We're not safe from terrorism nor from having our basic civil rights violated. It truly is a clusterfuck, and we're not even 2 weeks in.

Anyway, good luck. As others have said, you might have to tune all of this out for a while and focus on the things you enjoy.

[KittyWampus]

18. Enjoy life and send positive, caring energy out to those who need it and open yourself

to receiving positive energy. Cute kitten youtube... favorite music... good books...

But most important of all, perhaps you could find a free clinic to do blood work? Could be low on vitamin D or B12, who knows?

And also find a doctor who can help prescribe an RX for you. The one you saw doesn't sound very perceptive.

Do you have any hobbies?

[marlakay]

19. Gained weight from comfort eating

And drinking wine.

I watch the sappest tv series to put me to sleep, as Mary Poppins as I can get.

[steve2470]

20. definitely not alone, I made a similar post in our mental health support group

I just returned to really paying close attention and it is stressful. Take care of yourself.... I have faith enough responsible Americans will stop the BS.

[fNord]

21. My boyfriend suggested I see a psychiatrist.....

I've apparently crossed the line from depression to full on psychosis..... and that's a lot to take from a man who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, though my red eyes, swollen throat, and bruised knuckles tell me he may be right.

I haven't been ME since November, and it seems to be getting worse. I could just not watch the news, or listen to NPR, and delete all my apps, but what would life be? Blissful ignorance? I just can't.
So instead I'm addicted to a masochistic lifestyle (and it might be killing me) just so my letters, emails, and phone calls are based in fact, not partisan hyperbole. I watched the Mr. SCOTUS pageant, hoping* we would go for guns on the street instead of repealing R v.W and gay marriage, but lost that bet too.

Solidarity schatzi,
we're all in this sinking ship together

[Leghorn21]

22. My dear butdiduvote, I am wrecked and ruined. I have moments or maybe a few hours when

I'm not, but overall, I can't imagine that my psyche or inner self or whatever will ever be able to breathe again until this unending serious of smacks upside my head STOP. Just STOP.

Oh, I can get shit done, but most days I have to force myself to look away from this slo-mo catastrophe and run errands or go to the doc or whatever...but I have to really exert myself to accomplish even the most innocuous chore (which, I learned years ago, can be a symptom of deep grief: "The smallest tasks appear insurmountable".)

But I figured out a couple of weeks ago that the main reason I canNOT "look away" is because I by God have so many agonizing days/months/years invested in this "drama" that I have just GOT to be present at that moment, that glorious, sweet, savory moment when this motherfucker is GONE. However that may happen, I could care less, just disappear, just GO.

So listen, you're on DU here, and you may read of terrible things, but you will also read hilarious things and powerfully uplifting things as we all slog through this putrid swamp together...please do stay with this remarkable group!!

Also - my sister is a brilliant psychologist. And we speak rarely of her clients because - well, ethics and such! But many of her peeps were deeply, painfully traumatized when it came to pass that the new president of the United States was a sexual predator...I MEAN. And I'll bet you cash money they are still trying to come to terms with that knowledge on a daily basis, eh? - hey, any therapist/shrink who minimizes where you're at is bogus. 100%.

I am angry one moment, cross-eyed exhausted the next, then I'm on fire, then I'm homicidal, then I can't believe what just happened, then I am so deeply moved by the beauty and splendor that The People manifest, both here and across the planet...rinse, repeat, ad infinitum.

Dammit butdiduvote - I'll hang in if you will!! Peace, and welcome to DU -

[Lint Head]

23. I'm on edge every day wondering what shoe will fall next.

We need a hero. If not We the People need to take on this despot with more than just protests. If protests are outlawed we must become outlaws or we will all perish.
Trump is not letting up. He is slowly smothering liberty every day. We cannot be docile sheep about this. I'm not speaking of anarchy. I'm speaking of literally defending our cointry within our country. We cannot let this bigoted racist Vladimir Putin ass licker ruin our country. It's obvious people were fooled by his carnival barker diatribes. He is extremely dangerous. Danger must be dealt with or we will be very soon dead. I know the military has the gun power but we have numbers. I just can't conceive of the military slaughtering they're own relatives in the street. And I never thoight I would hear a President call for the murder of families. Sorry to sound alarmist but it's time to sound the alarm.

[Cha]

24. We just do what we can.. do not feel guilty! Hillary's Winning meant

so much to many of us, bdv! I am doing everything I can not to have a mental health crisis.. I've had crises going on in personal life that made me forget about blotus for few days even.

Your "family and friends" who telling you how terrible Hillary was are unfortunately brainwashed.. I've seen in real life too. So many were spreading Propaganda about her to push their own agenda .

And too damn many sucked it up.. then there was comey, the Russians, voting purging and voter suppression. And, that damn jill stein..

Dangerous#1 Dangerous#2 Dangerous#3 stein on trump & Hillary

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

they damn well will.. sitting on their millions while the Planet goes to shite and people go hungry and Immigrants banned from the US by "the bumbler" according the ever present idiot, jill stein

And, she still got this many votes from The People.

Hillary would have made a wonderful President

[Demonaut]

26. when you're ready..when you've processed the current situation in a coherent manner

you'll find what you need to do, march, join a protest....or volunteer time

[politicat]

28. Okay. That's all perfectly, completely understandable.

You are not alone.

1st, that therapist? That's not acceptable behavior. Our job, as therapists, is to treat your concerns with dignity and respect. Personally, I would have fired her on the spot, then demanded my records, and then reported her fail to her licensing board... but I know what she's supposed to be doing and not supposed to do, and don't have a lot of patience for screw-ups. (And yes, that's a reportable fail -- it's diminishing a client's perceived experience and concern.)

2nd: Do you have a copy of the self-care checklist? Here, if you don't. http://www.popsugar.com.au/smart-living/Self-Care-Printable-39312165
Self-care is the day-to-day routine. I add singing to that list -- I strongly suggest at least 5 minutes of singing a day. And not just mumbling under your breath singing -- I mean Ethel Merman on Broadway belting it out. (You can do it when you're alone -- I'm not asking for performance, just the action. Don't do it while driving, though.) The reason is because 1) breath control -- singing requires deeper, more sustained breathing. When we're anxious, we tend to breathe shallowly, so we don't get all of the carbon dioxide out of our lungs and that causes a level of stress; 2) singing uses a different sector of the brain than either the internal monologue or speech, which means singing limits the bandwidth to those other two (and shutting up the internal monologue is very good for anxiety) and 3) most of us who are anxious have issues expressing ourselves. We don't do so loudly and at length. Practicing sustained volume while singing helps prime us for expressing other needs.

3rd) Focus. You have an issue that matters to you. It doesn't matter to anyone else what that issue is. Pick it, and start setting limits in your news feeds and media consumption. If you only read news pertaining to your issue, that's fine. It's better for you to concentrate on one thing you can work on and accomplish it, than to be overwhelmed by too much input. And it's better for the cause, because you're accomplishing your part of the task. Also, set a limit on the amount of time you're going to work on your part. Most people have around 36 free hours a week, after we take out sleeping, working, transport, eating, basic exercise. You're anxious and need to be working on your self-care, so I'd say no more than a half hour a day, or 4 hours a week to start. Whatever split is easier for you. (You'll ramp up as you feel better.) Set up guardrails and boundaries. Outside of those Activism hours, you do things that are restorative for you. If you have an art or craft, practice it. Find the joy in the things you love, because that joy will carry into other aspects, and eventually will help you feel better prepared to step up.

4th) Limit. The people around you who are diminishing your needs and concerns? They're not helping. If you're not saying the things to them that you've got in quotes above -- which you should be saying -- then at minimum, try this: "I do not want to hear your opinion on my candidate again. I am well aware of what you think. I find your opinion reprehensible. If you cannot respect me on this, then you no longer need my time and attention." And stick to that boundary. If you need to move because you're stuck in a red place and feel trapped, that's a goal to work towards. If you need to find a replacement circle of people who aren't dismissive of you, you'll find them -- either through activism as you feel more able to ramp up, or through other activities.

5) I'm betting your sleep is disrupted -- sleep, depression and anxiety go together and when one is out of whack the others follow. The easiest one to fix is sleep. If you're not sleeping well, talk to your GP or NP about a z drug (not a benzodiazepine and not melatonin, because neither work well for sleep when you're dealing with depression and anxiety and both can make the anxiety worse). If you need Ambien or Lunesta or Sonata or mirtazipine for six months or a year, that's okay. All of them are now generic. A therapist would be best, but you know your time and money limits. Trust yourself on this one. Your doc may suggest an antidepressant; it's worth a shot, even without therapy, or if you're already on one, it might be time to alter your dosage or which one you're on. And those migraines? Those need to be considered. Chronic pain exacerbates depression, anxiety and sleep disruption. Which make you more prone to more pain. It's a nasty feedback cycle.

6) Come talk again in a few days. Give self-care and focus a few days, get medical consultation in motion, figure out what your boundaries and limits are. You're welcome to PM me at any time. I can't be your therapist, but there are a lot of techniques and tools that you can use on your own to help stabilize yourself.

We're going to get through this. It's going to be hard work and it's uncharted territory, but we have the tools and we have all of the playbooks for civil rights and gender equality and protecting the vulnerable. We can do this. They're just men, and pathetic, shallow, sorry specimens at that. They're not exceptionally intelligent, and they don't have nearly as much power as they think they do, and they're pissing everyone off. They want us scared and depressed and isolated and overwhelmed because they're not competent enough to accomplish what they want. There are more of us than there are of them, and there are more of us every single hour.

[butdiduvote]

32. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I mean, I wouldn't report the therapist. She tried. She just really didn't seem to get it and wanted to move onto talking about other things because she wasn't really sure what else to say. It could have been my fault. I probably wasn't expressing myself properly, but it just rubbed me the wrong way that I walked in and said I specifically was a mess because of the election, and she rushed to talk about unrelated topics she thought were more important.

For future reference for other posters, I'm not going to any doctors to start the medication experimentation game. I have a very complex history with medical problems that medications never seem to help and usually just make worse, and it's all very expensive very quickly. The last time I got on an antidepressant, it gave me migraines so intense I wanted to die and I almost got in car wrecks because I was so spaced out. My migraine medication, which rarely works anyway, isn't covered under my new insurance. My medical costs got much more expensive this year with my new ACA plan, which I'm still grateful to have, but I need to preserve my covered visits for other things, as I only get a few visits now before I start having to pay a percentage coinsurance instead of just a copay. I just find it really frustrating when people tell me to do something I can't afford and that has proven only to exacerbate my problems in the past.

[Hekate]

41. Politicat, this is a superb post. I'm going to print out the self-care checklist

[herding cats]

73. You are simply amazing.

Thank you, for myself and everyone out there dealing with these current events. I'm certain your words are a solace and a salve for many people who've read them. It's apparent that you really do care, and that matters deeply when someone is dealing with such emotional distress.

I just wanted to thank you, and let you know your words are deeply appreciated. Your contributions here were excellent.

[Control-Z]

29. I'm right there with you.

So much is wrong. I'm going to find a doctor who prescribes ketamine. I've tried just about everything else. It is worth trying something new at this point. So depressed. Damn. I hope you feel better soon. I hope we all feel better. Damn.

[Warpy]

30. I survived Nixon

and I remember feeling much the same when he got in because I knew he had learned his political philosophy at McCarthy's knee and I knew he had deep seated personality issues that would make him a terrible president. I was right. I was working then so I was able to do some extremely minor monkey wrenching. I'm retired now, so I'll be limited to contributions to organizations that promise to be major irritants to Trump and Bannon, but that I'll do.

We are still suffering from Nixon's paranoia in the form of the War on Drugs, something that fucking asshole started to get the antiwar and civil rights leaders thrown into prison. It has developed a life of its own and no one links it to one man's evil any more.

I know this gang of thieves and Kremlin tools will do something equally evil to the people of this country.

And yeah, I'm sick about it, we've been down this road before. However, the only good thing is that it took YEARS before we got this much pushback against Nixon. I hope it keeps growing and spreading.

Maybe this time there will be the will to put the worst of the traitors on trial. Maybe the snake's head will get cut off once and for all, at least until the next gang of xemophobic idiots comes along.

[mvd]

31. I'm struggling also

Was really bad on Inauguration Day. Been generally better since then and more in a fighting mood, but I still have moments where I feel anxious and depressed. And there's always a black cloud hovering, like my country is way different. I already take an anxiety medication and will ask about my anxiety at my doctor's appointment next month. Take care of yourself and I hope things get better.

[Yupster]

33. My advice, and you're not going to like it

Back off of politics for a while.

Turn off the TV. Stick to the non-political forums on DU.

Politics has very little impact on most people's lives day to day.

Much more important are your friends and family, your recreation and work.

Take a break. Politics will still be here when you come back.

[butdiduvote]

34. Yeah, you're right

I've tried to do this several times and keep failing. This shit is everywhere. All of my family and friends won't stop talking about it, so I feel like I'll have to be a hermit who talks to no one in order to truly shut it all off. And of course part of me doesn't want to give it up because it was a really great "hobby" that ironically served as a distraction from the crappy other areas of my life before everything political went to shit.

[vlyons]

35. Calm down and meditate

I'm a senior with heart disease. I need my medicare and social security. After Trump was elected, I had serious thoughts about suicide. So I understand your fear and dread. But I'm also (and more importantly) a Buddhist. Maintaining a calm state of mind and a focused determination is how we shall defeat this evil. Panic implies paralysis. We are more effective when we can calmly look evil in the face, and say Boo! Focus on what needs to be done to defeat it, rather than if we stay freaked out about it.

Sounds like you need a break. Some tender, loving care, and reassurance. Do you have family and friends to support you? We live in degenerate times. But it ain't the civil war or the Warsaw Ghetto, or Pearl Harbor. As a Buddhist, I know that things fall apart and then they come together and then they fall apart and then they come together again endlessly. Nothing lasts forever. All things are impermanent. But the trick as the Zen Buddhists say is to hold your seat no matter what comes your way. That is, remain calm. Calm yourself down. Meditate, or take a nature walk, or clean the house. Do whatever is your thing to calm down. But the very best medicine of all is to get involved in a way that helps others. Can you find some way to volunteer a few hours a week to help others?

Sending you rays of sunshine to dispell the darkness

[MFM008]

36. yes

name something, its in crisis...........

[Frogg]

37. Natural Supplements

My mum and I began taking a natural mineral supplement a couple of weeks ago and it has worked wonders for us. It is lithium orotate...not the prescribed lithium, but a natural mineral supplement at very low 5 mg. I can only state it has been very effective at calming and neither of us has had any type of side effects...

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

38. For what it's worth, you're not alone.

My therapist says almost all her clients were hit hard by this election. l certainly was. Trump is an extraordinarily horrendous person, but he would not be where he is without his supporters. They are what has hit me hardest. Also, the way facts are losing out to obvious lies. The triumph of propaganda.

Anyway, I just said on another thread that I need to tune this stuff out for a few days, and the advice you elicited from others here has reinforced that. So, thanks, cuz you just helped me. I hope you too may find some comfort or hope here.

Peace.

[Hekate]

39. My DIL says her therapist's phone started ringing at 8am Nov. 9. I went back into therapy in Dec....

It is helping a lot, believe me. I know people who are having nightmares.

I was called for Jury duty in December, and though the crime was repugnant (rape) I believed I could be objective.

But we prospective jurors were all sent home for a week, and in that time I started thinking about all the women I have known in my lifetime who have been raped, one who was only 7 at the time and told me when we were both 14. Their names went around and around in my head, and I began to feel sick to my stomach all the time. I had not thought of any of them in years. The night before we were to return I could scarcely sleep.

Back in the courtroom we went thru the usual process of stating our names, occupation, etc. We were asked if there were any reason we could not serve, and I raised my hand. Those of us who raised our hands were told we could speak to the judge privately if we wished.

When my turn came I shocked myself by blurting, not that I knew at least 4 women who had been raped, but that "I was sexually abused as a child." And that was the thought I had not been thinking all week.

I was immediately dismissed. In the days and weeks afterward I thought: "Trump," and of how many women like myself (and possibly male survivors) must have been triggered by Trump for the past year and a half. He's an abusive sonuvabitch, and he boasts about it like he's done something clever. No wonder I couldn't sit on that jury. No wonder I felt physically ill.

Unlike Trump, the young man in my local court will do 6 years on a plea bargain. It turns out he is a serial rapist, starting in high school, and raped yet another girl while out on bail. He has a string of accusers in at least 2 counties. Like Trump, he should definitely be in prison a lot longer.

But they couldn't get a jury just then. It makes me wonder.

So, there you have it. You are by no means alone in your distress.

All who may read this, please take care of yourselves. None of us can do this alone -- we have to be there for each other. Cut back on the anesthesia -- please don't hurt yourself trying to numb the pain.

Let me put it this way: Trump will not give a rat's ass who among us lives or dies, but WE WILL. So be gentle to yourselves, and don't beat yourselves up trying to do everything.

Hold on. We will live to see better days.

[Afromania]

42. you are definitely not alone

It took better than a month for my household to right themselves. Anger, depression, sadness and fear are the orders of the day, everyday scince the election. It wouldn't be normal if we didn't del this way. The enormity of the horror that's unfolding will forever tint the history books.

[FSogol]

45. My advice: Your local food bank needs your help. Forget about Trumpy and company and go help out.

We survived Reagan and W, we'll survive Trump and Bannon.

You can make a big difference.

[cwydro]

46. Don't let them win.

I can't imagine letting these asshats have that much of an effect in me.

[alarimer]

48. I take heart in the fact that people are making a lot of noise.

Sometimes it takes a crisis for people to get off their asses and do something, but we are seeing that now. Three times as many people marched in Washington than went to his inauguration. And millions more around the world! Throngs of people came out to protest at airports when the immigration order came down. People are in the streets every day. They even protest outside his hotels. I hope it's sustainable.

Yes, the orange shitgibbon may have won, but he is DEEPLY unpopular. He has been disinvited from an event in Milwaukee because Harley Davidson was afraid of protesters. THAT is the kind of thing that is going to be happening as long as Trump remains on his present course.

Think about how the phone lines to Congress are always busy or their mailboxes full. That's because people are calling them, about everything. I can't remember that happening before. The Democrats have found or borrowed a spine for now and it is heartening. They may not be able to stop much, but I am actually fairly optimistic for 2018 and 2020. Republicans are overstepping bigly and Trump will be so completely toxic by then, Republicans in Congress will have to run away in order not to lose. (This is what I tell myself at least).

Until then, maybe we can drive Trump to bankruptcy (again!) by spreading the rumor that his hotels have bedbugs or something. Put it on Yelp and Facebook, etc.

[Madam45for2923]

49. With you!

[Blue_Tires]

50. I do have to suppress my urge to kill on an hourly basis...

Because the voices in my head tell me that everyone is guilty, so everyone should pay the penalty

[shenmue]

52. Me too

[Mendocino]

53. I'm going to climb a tree,

cut the soles out of my shoes and learn to play the flute.

Firesign Theatre

[Madam45for2923]

54. Dear Dem friend I made this OP for you:

What's Next:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028577090

Let me know if it helps. I need help too.

[butdiduvote]

68. Why thank you :)

Sorry for the delayed response. I've had a hectic past few days.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

55. I say this with your best interests at heart.

You wrote: "I feel guilty every time I don't participate in a protest or don't read up on some new disastrous news story."

If that is the case, you are giving yourself far too much importance in this world. Yes, we should all do our part, but you - as only one person with no political or financial sway - just aren't that important, and becoming ill because you haven't "read some new disastrous news story" is just ridiculous.

Yes, that's what I just wrote.

Yes, I know how hard it is to turn away, but you need to do what is best for YOU. Take care of yourself. If you are that fragile, tell yourself that you will make a difference by voting faithfully in all elections.

And if you don't take care of yourself, you might not be around to vote in the next election.

Think of ways to find some peace like limiting your participation on DU and any other message boards that will upset you. Ditto places like Facebook. Instead, watch something fun on tv. Do something you love. When you are feeling stronger, you can then engage more.

Take care.

[LeftInTX]

60. This is really good advice

I tend to do better with things when I don't take them too seriously. Sure it is serious, but if I take it too serious then it makes it worse.

[otohara]

63. Worse Than GWB

I miss Hillary - my heart breaks for her.

Still harboring deep seeded anger towards so called-progressive younger voters I knew who thought this was a fucking joke and passed around the most vile memes about her.

I deactivated FB with no intentions of ever going back - I don't like many of my so-called friends anymore.

[MountCleaners]

56. Do you think part of the idea behind DJT's actions is...

...to overwhelm the opposition?

I am already experiencing burnout.

Moreover, I suffer from anxiety and trauma and Trump's deliberate encouragement of the far right has me feeling anxious a lot. What's more, it's really an assault on anyone who has been the victim of far right crimes or hate or discrimination. Trump is flipping the bird at a lot of hurt people. Surely he knows how many hateful people support him.

[obliviously]

58. A hand full of Xanax

washed down with a little whiskey and it all seems okay again.............thud!!!

[Butterflies]

59. Yes. I can't shake the depression.

The unfairness of how Trump won (Russia, Wikileaks, media, FBI, voter suppression), makes me feel so powerless. No one is doing anything to correct what happened, and more bad things happen EVERY DAY. It seems to me that feeling anger and depression are the normal responses to all that.

Also I have to spend 8 hours everyday with coworkers who voted for Trump, and they aren't regretting their votes yet. I hate that I have to be anywhere near them.

I check headlines each day, but otherwise I avoid the news. Stephanie Miller makes some of the horror a little bit funny, at least. I try to remind myself what I am grateful for (home, sons, pets, enough $, entertainment). Someday we will look back at these days, and we will be glad it's over - like the Bush years. I'm hanging on waiting for that . . .

[Zero System]

62. Me. In a bad way.

First, let me say - I've been on DU for many years (I joined soon after 9/11). I did have to get a new user name/password a couple of years ago, because I stopped posting for a long while and forgot my log-in information, and I haven't posted since I started my new account. I do read a lot, and often, but being "new" here again made me nervous. I understand the acrimony that is sometimes directed at newcomers. I know all about distrust.

I understand how you're feeling. I, like many, went through some personal hell through the GWB years, but not like this. Nothing close. I feel like I'm not snapping back this time, and like you, that makes me feel somewhat useless. I can't really take FB anymore, because it's either preaching to the choir, pure narcissism or the stupidity of Trump supporters (the vast majority of which I deleted quickly).

I have anxiety and depression - have since I was a teenager. I have been toying with the idea of going back to my psychiatrist and therapist, because it's bad since this horror story started to unfold in November, but I'm worried that I'll get the same reaction that you're relating. I don't care for being dismissed - especially by professionals who should be able to understand that this is affecting people like us badly.

Anyway, I guess I was just moved to finally post by yours. I understand completely. I'll be hanging in, and thank you for helping me to realize that I'm not alone.

[GP6971]

64. Welcome Back!

Who were you before?

[Zero System]

87. Thank you...I didn't realize

anyone responded to my post. (Actually, I didn't know how to even look for that...)

I was "Suspicious."

[Ilsa]

65. It was like an eight year vacation from

political hypervigilance.

[ribrepin]

74. I know what you mean

I was super hypervigilant during the Bush year. It was great to sit back and relax for eight years.

[gordianot]

76. That is a double edged sword.

Trump himself is a crisis, reactions to Trump are a crisis. My wife and daughter made me a pink pussy I plan to wear it at our next protest. That works for me as a mental health crisis.

[jmg257]

81. Tough thread to read...mental incapacity, depression, suicide, urges to kill...

Not good. Not good at all.

when I get too wrapped up I have to just put it aside and find something else to do.

Find ways to let it go...to step away for a while?

And Stay safe!!

[MountCleaners]

82. I was away from the internet for 8 hours

yesterday, and damn near had a panic attack by the time I got home. Was worried the whole time about what Twitler might do. Felt better once I could check the news.

[GliderGuider]

83. I'm fucking terrified

This catastrophe is like the sum of all my fears.

Hell, I'm even afraid for my personal safety now, even though I live in Canada. This shitstorm doesn't respect borders.

[ladjf]

85. Millions of Americans can expect to experience serious mental health issues due to the terror of the

Trump coup. nt

[nadine_mn]

86. Yep - my depression and anxiety are so much worse

I can rarely leave the bed and I feel so guilty that the burden of everyday stuff has fallen onto my husband. There is so much I want to do: call, write, volunteer, etc but each day the outrage and awfulness overwhelms me.

I have this unshakable feeling of impending doom which sounds like hyperbole but feels real. You know like if you have a big test or work review or doctor appointment you are dreading.

To make things worse, my husband's new job has shitty insurance that doesn't cover mental health visits so I can't afford to see my therapist regularly. He said that he noticed a huge uptick in stress from his patients after the election.

I'd say do what you can to take care of yourself but I don't know how to do it. Just know you aren't alone.