Panic attack

[oldtime dfl_er]

What do you do when you start to have a panic attack about the election? I'm feeling that way tonight. I'm about to start crying and I feel trapped. I know it's overload from the RNC convention and Twitter and Rachel being particularly frightening tonight. It's easy to say "turn it off and tune it out" for awhile but that's very hard to do. I really believe if we lose this election, whether by hook or more likely by crook, it will be the end of the United States. And then what? Then what do we do?

[Karadeniz]

1. Then we keep fighting the fascists until their reality is revealed, recognized, repudiated.

Now go listen to Do You Hear the People Sing on utube!

[oldtime dfl_er]

5. omg if it wasnt midnight I would BLAST

that song from the rooftops. I am convinced that Les Miz and that song in particular had a lot to do with the fall of the eastern bloc.

[Nevilledog]

2. I'm feeling super anxious, also.

What I do is force myself to back away for a break. I read, knit, make jewelry, play video games, etc. It really does give my brain a rest. Force yourself to do something else. I don't know of anything else that would help me.

[oldtime dfl_er]

6. It's hard

I read, been reading a lot of murder mysteries because they have simple but engrossing plots. I can't concentrate on anything more than that. Thanks.

[BigmanPigman]

3. A panic attack is when your heart is pounding so fast

and hard out of the blue that you literally think you are having a heart attack. If this is the case just breathe into a paper bag for a few minutes. It works!

It sounds like you are experiencing severe anxiety instead. I suggest you distract yourself, do something that you know has a calming affect like petting a dog, cooking, reading, listening to music, making art, etc. Or, you may need to feel less frustrated and helpless and need to do something to make yourself feel better, like writing letters to some reps in Congress or volunteering to GOTV. Maybe you are tense and need to punch a pillow (put a picture of tRump's face on it first) or hop on an exercise bike for an hour. Try all of the above. If none of that works perhaps see a doctor for some anti-anxiety meds like Xanax or buy some indica pot. Only start drinking heavily as a last resort.

[oldtime dfl_er]

7. Thanks

You are right, I'm not having a panic attack in the medical sense.

[greyl]

4. Look at the 2018 elections. nt

[oldtime dfl_er]

8. good suggestion

that might give me a few minutes of relief!

[greyl]

11. Donald: NBA 'in big trouble, bigger trouble than they understand'

Everyone knows he's a total joke.

https://www.si.com/nba/2020/08/12/donald-trump-nba-statements-kneeling

[RandySF]

9. If it's a literal panice attack

Get up and walk. Make yourself remember something to occupy you mind (like state capitols). If all else fails, dunk your face in cold water. Otherwise, find a way to help the DFL flip the State Senate.

[oldtime dfl_er]

10. thanks

not literal panic attack. I guess I shouldn't have used that term. As someone else suggested it's just severe anxiety. I am doing what I can, writing letters, writing postcards to voters, running an action site. It's not enough.

[RandySF]

12. Everything you're doing needs doing

Don't worry, others are pitching.

[oldtime dfl_er]

13. I know

And I am proud and I fear for everyone putting their lives on the line in this fight.

[Aussie105]

14. it will be the end of the United States

No it will not be.
It will be different, but it will still exist.

Define your own patch, make sure you withdraw to it, and shut out the rest of the world.
Self preservation will be the main game in town.
Got a roof over your head? Enough food to eat? If so, you are doing OK!

[oldtime dfl_er]

18. I want a democracy

I want a society that cares about others.

[Upthevibe]

15. oldtime dfl_er.....

I'm right there with you... I was speaking with a childhood friend tonight who lives in Houston. Both she and her husband are retired. She said that he said he DOES NOT want to stay here if the worse happens. They're looking at Portugal. Their financial situation is quite different than mine as in quite a bit better. I'm looking at Los Cabos in Mexico.

[oldtime dfl_er]

17. We're looking at Ireland

and are committed to leaving if November is stolen. But I will worry constantly for my family, for my aging mom, for everyone who will stay and fight. It feels like cowardice to leave but insanity to stay.

I wish you the best!

[blogslut]

16. Do something normal and productive

Wash the dishes. Clean out your sock drawer. Sweep the floor. Some banal, small chore.

[Hekate]

19. Seriously, give MSNBC a rest. Watch some episodes of Antiques Roadshow on PBS. I love that show

I confess, I don’t often enough take the time, but when I finally talked my husband into watching with me, he finally got it. Someone who used to work with Charles Schultz brought in a collection of original “Peanuts” drawings, working drafts with Schultz’s pencilled annotations on them, and just like that he was hooked.

Sorry if you think I’m blathering, but I have had panic attacks myself and it’s no damn fun. One night Rachel started in on fascism and my whole chest seized up in pain.

Please take care of yourself. We’ll all carry on until you can resume.

[safeinOhio]

20. Snoopy may be the answer.

Snoopy is the most popular of all the Peanuts characters in the collectable world. When you start to feel insecure, become the Red Barron.

[Dios Mio]

21. Watch cooking shows.

Feed Phil
Taco Chronicles
Anthony Boudrain: Parts unknown
All have history and local cultural details
Mixed in.

[Hekate]

27. Same idea

[DIVINEprividence]

22. Drink your way through it

I have been involved in elections since the 1980’s. It is always a rude awakening to have your progressive bubble popped by the fact there are a lot more ignorant, racist bigots out there in the USA than you. Democrats still haven’t gotten over McGovern. This is why so many McGovern liberals are now the centrists of the party. You angst is normal. The stakes are really as high as you say and the country is really as f-ed up as you fear. Failure is not an option. Give it all you have.

[Behind the Aegis]

23. Pot!

Seriously! Get the right type, and it can really help.

Another way to help is a puzzle. I know it sounds odd because it can be frustrating, but as pieces fall into place, I start to feel calmer because I have some control and am making sense of something, literally making sense out of chaos.

And yes, avoid politics for a bit. Watch a movie you have watched a 100 times. The familiarity of the movie can be comforting.

You know yourself best, so think about other stressful times and what brought you peace then; it could help.

[oldtime dfl_er]

28. This is funny

After the 2016 election, I watched "An Affair to Remember" every night for 50 nights.

[DarthDem]

24. Stay strong

Rachel is wonderful, but part of her shtick is doom and gloom that sometimes goes a bit far. Stay strong, optimistic, and keep fighting and smiling.

[SheltieLover]

25. Yale is offering free "Science of Well Being" course

This is a very popular online course, with more than 20k reviews & a five-star rating.

Those who have tried it have said they felt better after watching the 1st video.

I hope this is helpful!

https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being?utm_source=gg&utm_medium=sem&utm_content=09-ScienceofWellBeing-US&campaignid=9728548210&adgroupid=99699672436&device=m&keyword=science%20of%20well%20being%20yale&matchtype=b&network=g&devicemodel=&adpostion=&creativeid=428916120688&hide_mobile_promo&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-af6BRC5ARIsAALPIlXYkcnmTXY0iVNxSuP7HoAC6NAKTxQq6BtyIFiqkZtsKkgxyLY2cTQaArDDEALw_wcB

Also, if you can do something to help stop the theft of our upcoming election, such as volunteer to maie phone calls, you will likely feel more empowered and less anxious.

[oldtime dfl_er]

29. Thank you

as I said, I am writing letters, writing postcards and running an action website. I am doing what I can. But thanks for the info on the course!

[SheltieLover]

31. Yw!

I hope you will give it a try. It is good stuff!

Thank you for all you are doing!

[Sherman A1]

26. I understand your concerns, they are very real

And something not to be taken lightly. My suggestion and it’s just that a suggestion is to come to the realization that the dice are cast now and most everything that happens beyond our voting is beyond our control.

Tuning out is probably the best thing with which to start. I don’t watch cable noise, hide every picture of DT on my Facebook feed and here have trashed the words, Donald, Trump and others related to the candidates. It helps considerably and I’m still very much informed, I don’t need a constant barrage of what is happening as I already know how I will vote.

Finding alternate interesting things to do is the next step and I encourage you to do so.

Good luck

[oldtime dfl_er]

30. Thank you

[BannonsLiver]

32. Turning off the GD TV and getting off Twitter might be a good start