Had an appointment with my cognitive therapist tonight.

[smirkymonkey]

I see her for an anxiety disorder, some depression, although that has improved with medication. I was talking about my anxiety about the election and particularly about Trump.

She told me that she and most of her colleagues have pretty much only been seeing clients who have talked about nothing but their fear of Trump winning the election and how much this has all been upsetting them. It has been all they have been hearing about for the last few months.

Of course, I live in a very blue city in a very blue state, but I thought it was interesting how much that the possibility of a Trump presidency was affecting the mental health of so many people.

I could tell from our discussion that she was pretty much a Trump hater too, which only made me trust her more. Just thought I'd share that with you guys.

[shenmue]

1. Hug

[smirkymonkey]

2. Thank you!

It's sad to know that so many people are really suffering over this, but there is something comforting about knowing that we are not alone.

[shenmue]

5. I've had the same problem

It's messing with my sleep. Can't wait until it's over.

[smirkymonkey]

7. Take care of yourself!

It makes me angry that he is causing so many people so much pain and anguish.

[shenmue]

8. Thanks

[tblue37]

46. I am not susceptible to depression or anxiety disorders (thank goodness!),

but even my dreams have been occasionally invaded by unpleasant Trump sequences.

Blech!

[JHan]

28. *throwing a hug your way too*

[smirkymonkey]

37. Thank you!

[Xipe Totec]

3. All will be well, thanks to the sane half of the US population

The nurturing, loving, beautiful half of the population.

With some assistance from the other half.

[Ilsa]

4. My pulled out the latest (at that time) APA Journal

warning mental health professionals about not diagnosing Trump unless he's their patient!

[silverweb]

6. It's true.

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]Someone I know wanted a followup appointment with their therapist soon and couldn't get anything until 2 weeks after the election. They were told there's a huge influx of appointment requests because of election anxiety right now. Not surprising at all.

[manicraven]

9. Haven't commented much, but your post really resonates with me so decided to add my woes...

Egad, but even my hair has been falling out, can't sleep, taking antacids by the handful, feel obsessed with reading here and other sites, checking polls. Like others, I can't watch any videos with Trump in them or his surrogates as my anxiety soars if I do. I'm feeling threadbare. My mom, daughter, spouse, and myself all want this election to be over but with Hillary as the president-elect. Don't know how on earth we'll all cope if this demagogue wins and his racist minions gloat and are even more emboldened to be the jerks they obviously are.

How does Hillary maintain such composure and strength? She's amazing!

[smirkymonkey]

11. She is amazing! I can't imagine the stress and pressure she is under and how she

endures it! Take care of yourself! This will all be over in a few days and hopefully we will be victorious!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

10. If that lunatic somehow wins, I'll need some kind of medication! n/t

[smirkymonkey]

13. It will be Prozac nation!

[Ghost Dog]

12. So, what therapy were you offered or provided

with which to treat the cognitive condition, may I ask?

[smirkymonkey]

15. Cognitive therapy helps you to rewire your thinking so that you do not

get yourself in such a state where you feed your anxiety and spiral down into depression. You learn how to talk back to yourself with rational messages and not let your neurotic voices get the best of you. It helps. I am able to stop my negative, anxious thoughts in their tracks a little better and not let them get the best of me. It takes some practice, but it's worth it.

[Ghost Dog]

17. Ok, that sounds good. Think positively!

Stillness is natural.

[AmericanActivist]

14. I can relate. Thanks for sharing. Glad you're here. nm

[smirkymonkey]

16. Thank you! Glad you are here too!

[marlakay]

18. Meet with my mindfulness bookclub today

We all picked a passage about society and peace.

Every person there was stressed with same worry.

[Warren DeMontague]

24. I'm sure liquor sales are through the roof this weekend.

[smirkymonkey]

26. I have no doubt. Unfortunately, mental illness and substance abuse often

go hand in hand. I worry about people self-medicating. This bastard Trump is really causing a lot of problems for more people than he could ever imagine. Even people without psych problems are planning to get effed up on election night. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It seems to be a sane reaction to an insane situation.

[Warren DeMontague]

31. Exactly.

Might be smart to stay off the roads, just in case.

[smirkymonkey]

35. Oh, I don't drive.

City girl

[mnhtnbb]

38. Bill Maher admitted to his panel last night that he'd been drinking before the show!

He jokes about his weed use, but I've never heard him admit to drinking prior to taping a show.


There were some very silent moments from the audience last night. Maher clearly has a lot of anxiety about the election Tuesday.


I have been thinking for the last couple of weeks that it's going to be Hillary in an electoral landslide. I think a lot of Republican women
are either going to vote for Hillary or leave the choice blank.

[regnaD kciN]

30. I screenshotted your post…

…so that, when I go in for my therapy appointment on the afternoon of Election Day, and my therapist asks me how I'm doing, I'm just going to show her your post and say "same here."

[smirkymonkey]

36. I am sure therapists all over the country have their hands full!

Good luck with your appointment!

[RKP5637]

33. Some also see the similarities of Trump to dictators long ago. He's following Hitler's

play book.

[steve2470]

34. yep! nt

[NCTraveler]

39. We are going to be ok my friend.

I don't have a history of elevated anxiety yet my thoughts have been racing the last week. I know others in the same boat. I can't imagine how it is for those who have a serious "problem" with anxiety. This is a difficult election.

A friend of mine with sever anxiety issues is struggling. Really stinks as it had started becoming manageable over the last couple of years. She still reached out to help me with my current elevated anxiety. One of the most empathetic persons I have ever met. She turned me on to guided meditations. I've used them in the past and am now doing it again. Helps me to fall asleep.

[smirkymonkey]

42. Thank you!

I think we will be ok. This has been a tough election. Best of luck to you as well!