Other Coping After The Us Election.

[Beemo3780]

I have been crying at different points of the day for the past two days. This election was based on fear. The only solace I've had has been how the 18-25 group voted, and how the popular vote turned out. Plus my state was blue, my city was blue. At least I'm surrounded by like minded people. I'm a libertarian, but I voted Hillary because Trump scares me. His supporters scare me. The future of my friends, family and neighbors scares me.

We have 2 ore years until the mid term elections. We as a people can still do things. This was the voice of a lot of angry people. We need to find peace among ourselves.

 

[Muttly]

My wife and I just got married last year after 20 years together and I fear that law will be undone. I am not sure where one draws the line between politics and support here but I fear. That is one thing for sure. I also want to isolate. I have been a participant in the process but now I see 8 years of growth and positivity turning sour and I am saddened. It is hard to not be depressed in spite of messages of wait and see. .

Congratulations on getting married. I joke that I am queer as f$#$. I kept thinking that even if Trump won democrates would win more seats in the senate and house. Now I am scared. I'm a transgender man, who is bisexual and currently dating a man. For the first time in a long time I felt a rush of fear walking into the men's room yesterday.

I'm panicking because I am one of the many, many people on Obama Care and I don't know what I will do when it disappears - my therapist is connected to it, my health care is connected to it, and I don't have the means to continue to see her or get treatment if I can't get assistance with paying for it. I'm just so terrified and I don't know what to do.i just sent her an email asking for reassurance that she won't disappear, but even if I get that, I'm not sure that I will be able to believe it.

I am so sorry, this is happening. I wish I could offer you a magic solution, all I can say is take it one step at a time.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Usually knowing is better than not knowing and preparing is better than being paralyzed with fear. Think ahead, try to prepare, it gives you the feeling of having some control and that helps. Our at least it can.

Amen! I am also prepared and usually have 4 ish plans into place as just in case plans and it's planned in order. What i will try or do first, 2nd if 1st fails, 3rd if 2nd fails etc.

Knowing how your therapist handles self pay is important information anyway as my group insurence placed me inside of a 6 month hole. I still had and paid for insur. They just didn't cover the visists and made it impossible for my therapist to appeal.

I agree that planning ahead is about the best thing for this sort of unknown. I think we can add panic to panic and add more and more; hype ourselves up more and make it worse on ourselves. So planning ahead for 'just in cases' helps me not to do that.

I also like your idea of putting more in savings now in case we hit a recession. That is good to do anyway and if it happens then you have the money you need.

 

[Ellabella44]

hoping I can talk Monday. Really need to go to therapy for several reasons. Im reminded of my father, and I would not feel safe if my father was president.

In such a circumstance I would fear for my children and myself for several reasons. thankfully my brother and I decided not to see him or his family ( some of them did things that made me feel unsafe) when I was 12. I am still afraid of him finding out that I have children. So I am careful to not get a picture of me in the news for some good things I was involved with.

Not exactly going off on a tangent, If I am still fearful of my father fnding me at 46, someone I see as like him I dont feel safe with them being in charge of rules of the country I live in. How can I trust people at the upcoming thanksgiving dinner who are the type to rub this in someones face? This past year I have told my husbands family how things were and why I have PTSD.

This makes me regret that decision. Will they want ME gone as I fall under one of the groups that he says he wants to arrest?

Thank You @joeylittle for allowing a support thread.

 

[kath3141]

Anyone have coping tools to share....something to keep me grounded....I'm fearful as well

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Anyone have coping tools to share....something to keep me grounded

Top 21 Anxiety Grounding Techniques | Treating Anxiety - HealthyPlace

Distraction: ACCEPTS

Self-Sooth

Coping with PTSD triggers:

Learn About What Triggers PTSD

 

[watundah]

I feel resentful that I would even need to spend my hard earned therapy $$ on this topic...

 

[joeylittle]

I'm interested in suggestions/thoughts/advice regarding the idea of being thrown in a world that was once safe but now feels like a triggery minefield....I need to figure out a set of coping skills to endure this setback and handle painful memories or flashbacks as they come up.....

I think they fall into 2 categories - there are ways to distract, and there are ways to challenge. So first, try and be clear with yourself which you need, when.

If you've never tried breathing as a grounding technique, I'd suggest giving it a go. If you're a phone person, there are all sorts of apps - I use breathe to relax (B2R), it's pretty no-frills and just lets you pre-set a length of inhale and length of exhale, and gives a visual cue to follow that reinforces regulation. Counting for yourself can be a little tougher but also focuses your mind, if you are prone to racing thoughts.

When you need to distract from a stressor, the things you mentioned are good - being prepared with quotes to look at, load up some cute animal videos if that's your thing, pretty much whatever will engage you on something else. I depend on crossword puzzles for that. When applying grounding or distraction, it's helpful to assign yourself (in advance) a length of time. So, decide to breathe, or do a puzzle, or read quotes for somewhere between 5-10 minutes. After that time, evaluate if it's been working, or if you need to switch to a different technique.

If you have CBT skills, thought records are a great way to challenge thoughts and emotions that can hijack you. You can also find ways to create positive action in your life - your environment, community, part of the world. It could be political, or not - just finding ways to engage with the world that give you back positive self-worth, or where you can at least know that you did a thing that you believe is good - even if your self esteem isn't letting you recognize it - can also make a big difference.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I read this today and it made me feel better. I am so triggered, and yes, I'm using that correctly, that I can hardly function. I won't say why. I'm also afraid for lots of people. I think to myself there is nothing I can do, but there is.

"In this world Hate never yet dispelled hate Only love dispels hate. This is the law Ancient and inexhaustible" ― Gautama Buddha


“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I have found that it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien

I will share lovingkindness through meditation. I will send out lovingkindness to those who hate. I will send out lovingkindness to those who are helping make the world better. This morning I felt I was no longer a Buddhist, because I only had despair, but I have found my center again, and even through the tears and other symptoms, I will continue to share lovingkindness with everyone, including myself.

 

[Ronin]

Would anyone here be helped by both going through the reasons why you're badass, awesome, resourceful, and darned good at survival (as you are, that doesn't change with politics or political climate, you've stood douchebags already and came to live through it, heal through it, and not become vengeful douches with disregard for lives & suffering)?

Eventually, think of what all isn't changing & depending on anything political in your life, that has meaning and value and just won't be altered, because it isn't depending on other people but you & those you trust?

 

[dulcia]

I'm interested in suggestions/thoughts/advice regarding the idea of being thrown in a world that was once safe but now feels like a triggery minefield....I need to figure out a set of coping skills to endure this setback and handle painful memories or flashbacks as they come up.....

I am SO glad to read about other reactions here. I was freezing cold and shaking hard (two personal signs of extreme nervousness) when I was watching the end of the electoral vote counts. I, of course, have not told this to anyone because it seemed like an over-reaction. It was just that I had not even fathomed that this was possible. My brain doesn't know how to handle that this is reality now. That was my initial reaction and I am much more resigned now, but those initial moments were shocking.

The best thing I did for myself was get off social media. I am an avid Facebooker and was already stressed out by the political posts and debates online between my friends and family -- as if someone is going to change their candidate preference based on a Facebook debate. As soon as the results were announced, I deactivated Facebook. I will be back tomorrow because tomorrow is an important day in my family, but I may deactivate again. Removing myself from the constant posts and hate and anger and the memes and the pictures was a way for me to regain a little control over the situation and it has calmed me. Notice how I also don't say his name :happy:

 

[Gs172003]

I think they fall into 2 categories - there are ways to distract, and there are ways to challenge....

***raises hand

I have video of a baby gorilla...where can I share it?? She's...so...cute....