Is this election causing you undue stress? A poll for DU

[davsand]

The other night I was talking to a Republican buddy of mine and he made the comment that given my disgust with the current regime and my fear of what four more years of it would mean to this nation, it is amazing I am not under treatment for anxiety...

I started wondering then--maybe the people who realize what is going on really ARE more stressed than they were four years ago. I know that for me, sleep is difficult, and every day the news is something that I watch with either disgust or anger with rare bright moments.

Since I started wondering about it, I've seen any number of people on here make reference to how worried they are at our nation's circumstances.

Are you more stressed now than you used to be?

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. definitely sleep problems

and general feeling of anxiety.

I can't imagine it's going to get any better until all the returns are in, and the official declaration has been made that John Kerry will be our next President.

[wryter2000]

2. A combination of the first two choices

I'm so mad I could spit. In fact, I do spit sometimes. I had to warn my neighbor that if he heard profanity coming out of our house, I was screaming at the TV, not my husband. He said pretty much the same thing goes on at his house.

On top of that is extreme frustration -- the kind that makes you cry out of pure rage. And then, there's the sorrow at watching all the people (American and Iraqi) dying in this war. I spend most of my time near tears. And deep down in my bones, I'm scared shitless that the moron is going to get away with it and win another four years to fuck the whole world over. And then the frustration returns when I'm confronted with a Kool Aid addicted follower of his.

It hasn't affected my sleep much, but it has severely hurt my concentration. It exhausts me when I am awake. It hurts my writing so that it's all I can do to produce 10 pages a week, where I used to do 20. I don't need therapy because I'm pretty much in touch with what's happening to me. But I do need the whole bunch of bloodsuckers out of office! Then, maybe, I can get back to normal.

More than you wanted to know, huh?

[BeFree]

3. Other

Having paid attention to politics for some time now, the only stress comes from the fact that it is election time, again.

Ever since Nixon, hell, since JFK was murdered, anyone who was not effected by American politics simply has NOT been paying attention.

Actually, having DU around has been as effectual as using a stress relief mechanism - like a drug, if you will.

Kerry On.

[Kanary]

4. People with awareness *always* suffer more than the ostriches

Always have, probably always will.

:(

Kanary

[Dogmudgeon]

5. Frustrated as hell

I've been caring for my ill grandmother full-time; I can't get out very often, and certainly not with any regularity required to work in a campaign.

I've been "reprinting" articles that have been critical (in the analytical sense) of Bush. My mother hands them out to her friends, who often pass them along to pro-Bush members of their families. The conversion rate has been satisfyingly high, especially with reprints of Will Pitt's stuff from Truthout, and a few have bought his book as well.

Right now, the big issue that the Press hasn't been picking up on is the lack of a flu vaccine. A lot of people are incensed with that vis-a-vis the ban on Canadian drugs. The head of the CMA -- the Canadian Medical Association -- wants to embargo their vaccine from Americans so that all Canadians get a dose. They go nuts when they hear that -- and their anger is directed not at the CMA, but at Bush.

Well, my grandmother is 91, and everyone loves her, and if she gets the flu and dies, there are about 100 Republicans who will be ready to tar and feather a certain Republican Washington politician, including at least two physicians who are active in the "Tort Reform" fraud.

I'd strongly prefer she live. I can get to those Republicans on my own.

I just wish I could do more.

--bkl

[peacetalksforall]

6. These people are not American. They have to and will do anything

so that they don't have to leave the White House. And not I'm just about to start reading the Echelon articles associated with the earlier thread. Will I feel worse?

[DuaneBidoux]

7. I alternate between shunning tv and the Internet (and DU)

for several days and then consuming it like a fat pig downing a chocolate ice-cream cone until my mood gets crazy and I od. I get stressed and can't function and then pull away and "make peace" with the outcome, whatever it may be (thinking i've got to make peace, because I have a family, and a life, and it has to go on one way or another). The bottom line is that I'm terrified of * getting reelected, and there is no way to really run and hide from that.

[Eloriel]

8. Other: but it's a little hard to explain

But I'll try.

I let it affect me greatly, and I see the possibility for some very serious stuff for Americans and the world if Bush steals another election. I've been pretty vocal about it at times, about how Bush and his whole family are fascists, about how "winning this election" is just the START of what we need to do to take this country back and we won't be free again until the Bushes are all in prison and so totally discredited that their name is equivalent to "Benedict Arnold" in our history and collective memory.

But several things happened. One, Howard Dean. He inspired me and gave me hope (which I desperately needed), and his candidacyu helped to dispel the abject misery I was living under (at my own hand, which is an important point).

Another thing that happened was that I sorta "woke up" one day and realized that when it comes to politics and world affairs, I could as easily "worry" about (that is, spend mental and even emotional energy mulling over) good outcomes as horrible ones. Doesn't mean I am not aware of the reality of the situation and the potential catastrophic outcomes and work towards the better choices, nor does it mean I go all pollyanna, it just means that I stopped obsessing. I -- each of us -- can only do so much individually, and even working together with others. We do what we can, hope for the best, and try to make peace with the idea that we may not be victorious in the short term, and that we'll CONTINUE working toward the better whether we are victorious in the short term or not.

A third thing is that in a small way I started living more in line with my own beliefs: I believe that ultimately good comes out of everything. One thing we know for sure: If Bush gets himself in the W.H. again, a lot MORE people will be forced to wake up. Is that what I'd prefer? Oh, hell no, but I want to be realistic.

Another thing is that I suddenly realized one day that while we here at DU sometimes are smug about the fact that we don't buy into all the terrorism fearmongering this administration likes to use to control the populace, we have our OWN fear -- and that is of Bush&Co. Either way, as long as there is fear, Bush&Co. wins. They feed off that energy, and they are the beneficiaries of our fear of them in other ways. I refuse to give them MY energy by living in fear of them.

Finally, I really tried to take to heart what Gandhi said (which I have quoted here often):

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall, always. -- Gandhi

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

9. It's a combination and it changes

Most of the time it's anger but, it mixes with worry. It does effect my life and stress levels as well.

[mandyky]

10. Other - NOT JUST the campaign

The state of our country since 9-11 has made me extremely anxious. And for the media to totally ignore the blunders of this administration, makes me wonder about my sanity, or that I _might_ be being unreasonable. Thank God for DU, and other bastions of sanity. I didn't find this place until they started the drumbeat to war back in Feb 03, and I was so tempted to fling my TV out of the window.

[Ezlivin]

11. Gettin' Short

That's what we said in the Navy when the end of our enlistment was in sight. I saw guys making countdown calendars or chains of paperclips that they would ceremoniously shorten each day.

Now I find myself saying "18 more days", "17 more days" almost like a mantra. We're gettin' short.

It's sort of waiting to see if the end of the world will happen or if we'll be able to get on with our lives.

Kerry elected? Good, now it's time to get on with life.

Bush elected? Rig for battle, batten down all hatches.

[davsand]

12. We are so "short" we can't see over the curb!

I tell myself that every day. Then I see something one the news where they've given the asswipe a free pass and it gets to me all over again.

We survived Reagan. We survived Dick Nixon. I know this nation can survive another four years with the asswipe if we have to. What I don't know is if I can deal with life in a country where so many people see what is happening and they think it is OK. It is so contrary to what I believe...

"This too shall pass" has become my mantra, however, mentally, I add "like a kidney stone."


Laura

[telex54]

13. I'm sick of it all--

The news, the ads, the spin, etc. etc. YET I CAN'T TURN AWAY! :silly:

[Shopaholic]

14. I've been popping sleeping pills to sleep for over a month now. . .

and I've been in a generally foul mood for the past week. Now I'm sick on top of that--I think my nerves had just worn my health down, both physical and mental. And this is so not who I usually am. All of the previous posters have pretty hit on the emotions I'm having right now.

[Zorra]

15. The recent Gallup polls have comforted me. They are similar to 2000,

when Gallup polls showed Bu$h over Gore by 7 points on Oct 29, 2000. As you know, Gore won that election by 500,000 votes.

Today's Gallup poll shows Bu$h over Kerry by 7 points. So I figure that means Kerry is going to win.

However, with the amazing increase in Dem voter registration and other pro-Dem factors, I believe that Kerry will get the same number of electoral votes that Bill Clinton got in 1992.

It's gonna be Kerry in a landslide.

[tnlefty]

16. Combination of the first 2 with some bright spots thrown in

I'll admit that today I am disgusted and somewhat down. At a family gathering yesterday, one of my severely rwing brothers expressed his disgust with bush* and his war. He said something about 'the only plan dumbass* seems to have is gettin' a lot of teenagers killed', followed by 'I think that it's part of his economic plan. No jobs available makes more kids available for cannon fodder'. He'll vote for the SOB more than likely and I just can't understand it.

My mother said she was 'gonna have a hard time voting for bush*'. She realizes that he's a lying sack of warmongering shit. She even said the Cheney's faux indignation over Mary was a crock of shit. She's a religious moderate and when we discuss things quietly I wouldn't get the feeling that she'd still be considering voting for smirk*, but apparently she is.

I just DO NOT and CAN NOT understand this.

I think I'll go bang my head against a concrete wall now.

[camero]

17. A dog eat dog world always creates more stress

Add to that seeing your loved ones coming home in body bags and you can multiply that by 100.

For those who think that it will only be "other people" that will get eaten, think again. Sooner or later, the greedy and heartless will come for you too. They never stop until they are made to stop.

[sbj405]

18. Very stressed. I feel I should be doing more.

I have been volunteering, but I feel I should do more. I want to do more, there's just no time. At the same time, I find myself becoming increasingly depressed. Not a good combo.

[wildeyed]

23. Try to take some time for yourself,

even if it is only to go for a walk, read a non-political book, shop, whatever helps. I have found when I do that, I come back refreshed and ready to rumble.

[rucky]

19. I am delighted with the way things are now--never been better!

Ask your doctor if Zanax is right for you.

[graywarrior]

20. Our hypnotherapy business has picked up recently

We do relaxation techniques for folks stressed about hurricanes and politics. Business is good.

[union_maid]

21. Like never before

It's like that for my whole family. We're tense,we have anxiety that has no place to go so we get depressed a lot. I feel like there's a huge lump in my throat and a rock sitting in my stomach most of the time. I've never felt this way about an election before - ever. I've always cared, but it's never been like this.

[GRLMGC]

22. I think about it WAY too much

I think it may be affecting my schoolwork. I spend way too much here at DU, hehe

[wildeyed]

24. Definitely impacted my mental health.

I have trouble concentrating at work, my stomach is often in knots and I have trouble sleeping sometimes.

But there is a good side, too. I have discovered my activist soul. I have always thought about doing good things, now I am finally doing them. So, in a way, I am fulfilling one of my personal goals, to be a someone who stands up for what she believes in.

And there are the friendships and the connections to some of the people I have been registering. Sometimes I will show up at a volunteer event, look into another volunteers eyes and just know they are a kindred spirit. We KNOW each other and are very tight right away, just based on our shared commitment to this cause. I have always been a little awkward socially, so connecting with people like this is a new experience for me.

I have also bonded instantly with some of the people I have been registering. Mostly it has just been helping someone to fill out a form, but occasionally, there is a deeper bond.

So yes, this journey has been painful, but I think in retrospect, win or lose, it will have been worth while for me to make it.

[UNIXcock]

25. "Other"

... I've come to realize if I need to continue the fight I'll need my health and mental fortitude to do so.

... Although quite concerned, I refuse to be Pwn3d by any election.

[ulysses]

26. not undue - just the usual amount.

I did have plans to do more politicking this fall, but the demands of the job pretty much prevent that.

[Starlight]

27. Absolutely!

My BF says (jokingly...I think) he'll have to move out if Kerry loses because it would be impossible to be around an even crabbier version of me. :P

My DD & DS are both talking about leaving the country. DD has duel citizenship so it would be easy for her.

[mmonk]

28. I get stomach pain

and bad refux and may have an ulcer. I know its related to all this. I have children with disabilities and many judicial appointments by this admin have been judges that think the ADA is unconstitutional. Then there is the maniacal plan to conquer and dominate the middle east. The stress is killing me.

[DELUSIONAL]

29. this time it is Much better than the Florida 2000 recount anxiety

A whole lot of weeds suffered termination in my garden during that recount period.

This time we have a strong Internet community -- and can read rants by others that summarize our rage. PLUS there is moveon.org and airamericaradio.com

There is a community out there -- and we have the "code" words -- Al Franken, moveon.org., airamericaradio.com, The Nation, Salon.com and even democraticunderground.com that we did not have in 2000.

This is bad -- but we are all in the waiting room -- suffering together. We are waiting for Kerry to deliver (us from evil).

In terms of mental health -- holding in rage is not healthy and so many people here can vent their rage against the gop and the bush hate machine. Just knowing that there is an online community that holds shared believes about the evil ones now in control -- is helpful for those of us on the computer literate left.

I find that I feel so much calmer after listening to Randi Rhodes or Mike Malloy rage against the gop. They say what I am feeling and they are reaching millions!

[sr_pacifica]

30. A therapist friend of mine has noticed

a lot of increased stress in her clients which she believes is connected to this tight presidential race. It's the uncertainty and also the dread if Bush is reelected

[dave502d]

31. I don't even want to go to work anymore.

[leesa]

32. After dealing with these monsters for 5 years now, my mental health is

long gone. I'm just running on irritability.

[deadparrot]

33. Anxious and on edge.

[orpupilofnature57]

34. I never in a million years would of worried about faulty results.

A new chapter in election process,another NEW insecurity.