Just when I thought all the years of therapy had finally done their magic, and that I'd be free at last, I discover that my fatigue, nail biting, cynicism, and catastrophic thoughts about the future aren't related to my crazy family upbringing, but about NOW, 2016 with this psycho election! The fact that I'm glued to the TV set, watching the pundits fight about whose crimes are worse, who's a wuss, who's really a psychothopathic liar, who's fingers should be on the nuclear codes, is not because I'm a glutton for punishment, but all manifestations of my new diagnosis: Election Stress Disorder! AND, to make matters worse, I am apparently in good company with half the planet!
As a psychotherapist always keyed into actionable, positive change attitudes and behaviors, this one really stumps me. How do we all feel more hopeful and impactful when every day new dirt gets dug up on our candidates of "choice," with Russia and Wikileaks playing their hand in events as well? This is a paranoid's wet dream! One candidate is clearly a Neanderthal, the other cast as a disingenuous double talker. And, speaking of double talk, no one ever answers a question directly anymore, but on both sides they all pivot constantly, (meaning: deflect, avoid, spin!) I pity the poor journalists who have to listen to this garbage day in and day out without losing their cool!
Maybe the only hope for all of us with ESD is to remember that nothing lasts forever, that most truths come out in the wash eventually, that Election Day is less than a month away, and that until then, we all can put our fingers on the "Off" button when we've had enough. (Now, gotta go watch the final debate....)
