Anyone else fall into a psyc depression?

[djohnsper]

I have been told to latch on to Any shred of something positive
about Bush getting re-elected. It's been very hard for me to put a smile on my face on a daily basis with these maniacs still in power for another 4 years. But I have to find something good about Bush before I go into a psyco ward. The anxiety has been over bearing. I think it was a mistake to create this HATE for this guy as much as I did. Literally I crashed. Don't get me wrong, I will NEVER be pro-bush but I have to see something positive or I will go nuts for 4 years. Any one else have this happen to them??

HELP!!!!

[Nikepallas]

1. I'm about an inch and a half away from that

[Roxy66]

2. I know...it's kinda scary..I think i want to go back to being oblivious

I dont want to know the things I know now. I would rather just live day to day...not having a clue

[ironflange]

3. Here's something positive

Jon, Dave, and Conan have four more years of solid gold material.

[proudbluestater]

7. Take it a day at a time, that's all you can do.

Don't look at it as four years, you will go nuts. Look at it as just today, I'll make through. Tomorrow wake up and say it again, I'll make it through today.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. I find good things...

In good people. Especially my core group of Dems around here. We are already plotting. :evilgrin:

[MnFats]

5. umm, well, "The Daily Show" writers will have plenty of material!

and Al Franken will needle the hell out of Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly et al for four years (at least).

[TruthOutDawg]

6. Overwhemlingly

Can't tell you how down I've been. All I can say is that THIS is a really positive thing - the motivation that many many DUers have show not to give up on this country is pretty damn cool. I don't think I could have taken the past week and a half if I hadn't found DU - I wish that guy who killed himself at Ground Zero had found something too... Anyway, you are NOT alone - hang in there - we WILL prevail - this time WE WILL - there is just no other choice for too many of us...

[Roxy66]

9. Same here......if it can hit me this way, i worry about those who are

really depressed in the first place

[teach1st]

8. Bush will melt into a pile of green plastic goo...

...due to his incompetence. He will self-destruct and the Republicans will have to own up to the mess. Can't blame Clinton anymore. That's kind of positive.

[iamsofnsorry]

10. I suggest substances

fixes that right up!!!

[mmonk]

11. I'm still in the anger stage, but

I would say, enjoy life and the things that make you smile. Its too precious to lose sight of. There are bad things, but life has its magic moments.

[Sparkly]

14. I agree -- get some distance.

Trying to come up with things to like about the Chimp keeps you focused on the Chimp (besides, it's probably impossible -- I know I couldn't do it!).

Focus on other things for awhile. Do what you can for good causes. Try not to think about the Chimp too much -- there's nothing we can do about him. All the worrying in the world won't make him any smarter or more responsible.

[shawcomm]

12. Well, right before the world explodes...

you'll get to say, "I told you so!"

[graywarrior]

13. Create your own reality

It's less painful

[proud patriot]

15. I don't have time for depression got 4 more years to STAND

I still say No to this agenda and to this
administration's outright attack on MY
Constitution .

[dmac]

16. You are definitely not alone

And you said, " think it was a mistake to create this HATE for this guy as much as I did." I do not think YOU created the hate, I think he and his actions created it. That is why is it so impossible to get over it (I think). I too have said over and over, I cannot do four more years like these last four. I am avoiding family members and friends who I know voted for him because I will not acknowledge his "victory" because I believe his victory was lied and cheated and stolen for, just like everything else in this man's life. I try not to use the word hate - for anyone - but my mind goes blank at trying to come up with another. I despise him - not only for his smug, arrogant ways, but mostly for what he has done to our country, to my children and grandchildren's futures - to our sweet earth with his lack of concern for anything environmental - and it infuriates me that this lying, cheating, scheming individual is admired and loved by many - and is the one credited as a moral leader and a Christian. Well, if he is a Christian, then I don't know where that leaves me because he is the antithesis to the Christ in my life.

[lavenderdiva]

38. you are not alone

Having experienced a major depression several years ago, and pulling out of it (mostly) with therapy and medication (finished course of treatment several years ago), I was very familiar with the symptoms and how I react to traumatic events. The election of 2000 was something I was very involved in, working on Gore's campaign. The end result was very upsetting and something I had to work through. However, 2004's election was much more upsetting to me. I cried for days and just moped and read everything I could get my hands on. I was concerned about this triggering a downward spiral. I will say that I felt quite alone in feeling that the whole thing was rigged, but, THANK GOODNESS, I found DU!!! To find like-minded, well-informed, and caring people has been a Godsend. Also, I quit reading and listening to mainstream news media, and that has helped tremendously. Most of their stuff is skewed anyway. The support and information here has been most reassuring and helpful. I am much more hopeful about our future. Don't get me wrong, I'm very concerned about the direction Bush may take us, and the decisions that are within his grasp, and the potential havoc they may cause. However, by reading the posts here, I do feel a distinct hope about the unified effort being waged to rectify the inconsistencies and outright fraud (I feel) that happened in the election of 2004. Quit focusing on Bush and think about all the efforts of lots of good people to change the status quo. Be selective about what you think about and put your energies into. Be proactive and contribute your time and talents to your local Democratic Party to change this country's direction. Like others have said, just take it one day at a time. You made it through today and the sky didn't fall!

dmac-- "You will know them by their fruits" Do you see any fruit? Neither do I.

[forgethell]

17. hate is always

more destructive to the hater than the hatee. That's why I try to avoid it. Sometimes it's hard, though. so many assholes in th eworld today.

[knowbody0]

18. in and out since way back vietnam days

doin something for someone worthy always brings me back to a better place. so many things around that we cannot affect, stressing and becoming depressed really hurts you.
find earth to walk upon and look up to the skies. breathe in the air that we all share with a knowing that we are all one. it is a ritual i do daily with a sweet grass offering. gives me strength. i will never give up.

[Aunt Anti-bush]

19. I'm about the same, but here's something positive for us:

We still have a reason to come to DU to visit all of our friends here. :shrug:

[mcg]

20. Try doing things to battle the depression, like walking, ...

aerobics, weight lifting, yoga, tai chi, any kind of exercise,
going outside to get some sunshine and fresh air,
anything to focus the mind, and get enough rest but not too much.

The crashing might be a phase, I crashed today myself,
I think that often happens after being under a lot of
stress for a long time.

Maybe bush&co will be brought down, we don't know yet.
In the mean time, it doesn't help to feel all this negativity,
it drains our energy, and we need energy, first of all for
ourselves, and secondly to fight this evil machine.

Something good about bush? Well, he's stupid, and an
embarrassment to the right-wing.

But I know how you feel, I'm struggling myself.

We must be resolute, intrepid, indomitable.

[BREMPRO]

21. the onion helps.. even in tragedy, humor lives.

http://www.theonion.com/election2004/
http://www.theonion.com/election2004/news_4045.php

[selmo7]

22. Ram Dass

whose teacher told him simply to love people recently said "I don't like George W. Bush. BUT I can have compassion for his soul because he got such a lousy incarnation."

I find reading poems like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Please Call Me By My True Names" helps me when I feel I need a deeper understanding/acceptance to relieve the burden I feel in my heart.

http://www.tingen.co.uk/inspirations/truenames.htm

[JudyM]

33. thanks for sharing this. I love Thich.

[Gyre]

23. I've gone through 1.5 complete grief cycles already.

And I had no idea that could happen over something like an election. The waves seem to be moderating now(knock on wood). Phewww, that was rough. My poor family.

I've also seem a lot of my neighbors who have the same look. We're all in mourning for the country.

Gyre

[yellowdogintexas]

36. I am right there with you

I have been through the whole thing, anger, denial, etc.
And to top it off, my mom died the day after my birthday and we buried her the day before the election.

that didnot help at all.

At least I got to vote, thanks to early voting in Texas, she would have haunted me to my own dying day if I had not voted.


So I have been trying to investigate the fun topics on the DU, sleeping a LOT and not discussing this travesty of an election with too many people unless I KNOW that they agree with me.

The Daily Show is a Godsend!

[procopia]

24. Take a nature walk

The changing foliage and crisp fall air will restore your spirit. If you have pets, they can do wonders for depression!

[Glenda]

25. AAR, DU, DFA, MoveOn, etc...

AAR just getting started, and * elected ensures that it will continue full throttle.

Deans group Democracy for America getting started, and with Dean we can reshape the Democratic party to something more to our liking, not some watered down thing.

So all the grassroots organizations being energized, and we will be stronger because of it.

We can no longer coast.

[natrat]

28. i've always been able to find hopefull things

about this country but now it's hard. For that i am really sad. I can live my life but knowing/feeling there is not much of a future for this place is strange. I have so little faith in our institutions now. US Blues indeed.

[union_maid]

26. Oh, my yes

Absolutely. I think this morning was my worst day for some reason. I feel better now for the first time. Sometimes you just need to go to the depths. Of course, I might feel like shit again tomorrow, but that's part of the process. This is not political disappointment. This is real grieving and you can't get around it. You have to go through it.

For me, I think that some things are finally diverting my attention a little. I don't mean I'm not thinking about it. I'm here, after all. But it took a week and a half for any personal event to cut through the fog. A couple of them finally did today.

For the new year, I plan to act locally. One of the things that's getting me down is confusion about where we're going in a larger sense, so I'm going to work on issues in a local setting. I think that'll help, too.

[nevergiveup]

30. denial for sure, but all is not lost

For the rest of my life I will be in denial about this election but there is a bright side.......liberals are coming out of the woodwork and young people are involved like never before. I am pushing 60 and I have never seen such a dedicated grass roots movement among the progressively enlightened electorate and remember this: the repubs have backed themselves into a corner. They are so indebted to the fundamentalists they will be forced to nominate a far right of center candidate in 2008 and we will be stronger and we will be ready and I can't wait.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[natrat]

29. no-our canidates win -they steal

but that's ok right?

[ShaneGR]

31. Latch onto this: "It's up to them now."

You voted to get rid of em. And since they're still here, all the problems are their problem, and not yours.

[rucky]

32. Make your world smaller

family. friends. self. that's your holy trinity.

lay off the DU for awhile.

trust me on this.

[Kitka]

34. I'm sorry - I understand. I will admit that I was in the hospital

for 2 weeks in March of 2002 due to the mounting stress from the war in Afghanstan and the Bush presidency. I had a classic case of activist burnout. It is easy to fall into when so much of your life is wrapped around social change that doesn't seem to be coming about.

But you DO have to do as someone else here said - make your world smaller. Do what you can and know that others are doing the same. Remember how many people came out to vote for someone other than George W. Bush, and remember that those people share your pain and will be working for change.

Honestly, a good week or two on media blackout will help, too.

I wish you luck. It's been a rough couple weeks.

[NightOwwl]

35. Let yourself become oblivious for awhile.

Don't watch the news, don't read the papers. DO NOT look at Bush's face. Seriously, if you happen to glance through a magazine and see a glimpse of his mug, close it. Don't listen to his voice.

As for the positive, here's how I feel. BushCo can't blame the Dems for anything. We can't be the scapegoat for their failures because we have been shut out completely. They break it, they own it. Also, the wackos are already coming out of the woodwork demanding payback for giving Bush a "mandate" on their version of moral values. Moderates in the Republican party are going to have to make some tough choices, because right now their party is quickly being taken over by extremists. I think a lot of Republicans wanted Kerry elected, and I'll bet they are feeling really shitty and depressed right about now.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Hope it helps a little.

[fshrink]

37. A few suggestions

Comedy Central
Music, including rap
Talk to young kids
Star gazing
Delete ALL info channels on your TV
Get the Independent Film Channel

There is nothing positive about the duce.

[fujiyama]

39. The only good thing I can think of

is that there is a community here that is willing to discuss this anger over what is going on. It helped me get through some tough days in the first week. I was walking around in a daze. I'm still angry...moving on a little by little.

Just think, you made it through the first four years. You'll make it through another four. Also don't let Bush take over your life. He's destroyed too many already. For sometime, ignore him if need be. This forum is great because if you get tired by politics you can go to the lounge or some other discussion on a wide variety of topics.

Some other good ways to get your mind off politics may be to read non political books, work out physically, or try art/music....I've been listening to more music lately, especially when driving...I'm tired of even NPR.

Welcome to DU! :toast:

[NAO]

40. Ripples of Hope - Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts...

"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."

-Robert F. Kennedy

[Chicago Democrat]

41. Yes, Bi Polar here...

Bush in office will mean a flowering of subversive art and political expression. Sadly the way the universe sometimes works is that things need to get ALOT WORSE for things to get better.

USE YOUR ANGER/ANGST IN POSITIVE CREATIVE WAYS!!

hard to do, but worth it!
Write, Protest, Scream, Influence

[Comadreja]

43. Now there's one way to look at it.!

Our body politic is sick with a retro-virus. All our attempts to rid ourselves of it are simply attacking the symptoms, but the virus remains and grows until the body builds up its defenses and the sickness reaches a crisis. We have to do back off and let the virus develope, as it will, until it is finally rejected when the blinded realize that they are in mortal danger. Aftertheir Nazi experience, the Germans are immunized.
As for me, I've been on ADs so long I was protected from anything more than a fw daysof blues and anxiety.

[Zorra]

42. No. I'm tough, and I'm a survivor. Maybe focus your energy here:

There is nothing positive about Bu$h being re-selected. There is nothing positive about Bu$h He is the devil incarnate. He has never even been elected. We did not create hate for Bu$h, he attracts negativity - the entire world hates him because he is an evil, murderous monster.

Maybe you could try focusing your energy on positive things like boycotting RW corporations.

Campaign To Starve The Beast

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2600099&mesg_id=2600099

We are going to take our country back from the fascists that stole it.

[mtnsnake]

44. Find something good about Bush? Yikes, that's a tall order but here goes

He'll never be able to have himself cloned because Falwell won't allow it.

We still have impeachment to look forward to. Within a couple more years, even the Repukes will vote for it.

They found out the little square thing on his back is not a vestigial twin.

Seriously, I wish you well. It is not fun feeling down. Hiking is a great activity you might wanna consider, if you're able to get out and about. There's usually plenty of liberals who'd love to hike with you no matter where you live. Good luck!