Thanks in advance for you DU-ers who are "cup half full"--I'm anxious about debate

[crimycarny]

Being neurotic is not fun. What’s it like to be optimistic versus always waiting for the other shoe to drop? It must be nice.

Though I know Joe Biden is going to be prepared for tonight’s debate I still worry about the slightest gaffe because the news media will RUN with it (and ignore Trump’s far more egregious lies, gaffes, etc). I have to remind myself that anxiety does not a premonition make.

I’m recording tonight’s debate as I don’t know if I can watch it live due to my idiotic “the glass is half empty, it’s full of acid, and is coming to attack me” attitude. So I VERY MUCH appreciate those who remain optimistic and sane. You help me to remain so as well.

[Karadeniz]

1. Trump doesn't make it easy, does he?

[hlthe2b]

2. If you don't drink, eat carbs; have pet nearby to hug. If you really can't stand, then yes, record

read the reviews and watch later when you can fast forward through Trump's antics and lies.

I've already forwarned my sweet doggy girl that she's gonna have to get me through this. LOL

[Walleye]

3. I just go with, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be

Actually, I’m optimistic because I’ve seen Joe speak in public so many times. And he’s a champ, and a champion always rises to the occasion.

[crimycarny]

9. I've always thought Biden a good debater

So I don’t know why I’m so anxious this time. It’s more the media I don’t trust I guess. The whole stupid gaffe thing. Jill Biden’s response to Jake Tapper is exactly how so many of us feel. I love how she stopped Jake Tapper in his tracks when he tried to bring up gaffes, saying “stop. After Trump I don’t want to hear the word gaffe.” (Paraphrasing).

The media just wants to jump on any gaffe to build up some sort of dramatic narrative. Ugh.

[regnaD kciN]

16. Because Biden has a good track record against actual DEBATERS...

...but Trump isn't a debater, he's a sh*t-flinging monkey. And some people in the "we need a horse-race!!!" media will insist on scoring this debate mainly on entertainment value, not reasoned discussion -- in which case, we're talking about NPR versus WWE.

[crimycarny]

18. Perfectly put

The media looks at drama over substance. Gossip over information. I keep reminding myself that this same media will be chasing the next juicy story involving Trump so won’t be focusing on anything Biden related for long anyway.

[Brainfodder]

4. All Joe needs to say is: Mr. President, you take all the time you need to explain the corruption.

[LakeArenal]

5. 50% of the people are with Joe Biden.

45% for whatever. Green or orange parties. Kanye. Whatever.

I’m not so optimistic as I am confident.

Anxiety (for which I take something) is so useless feeling. But we are so close to the bottom of the ninth.

Recognizing that you are experiencing anxiety has helped me. Tho I do smoke a lot of pot which some people feel paranoid and other people feel normal.

Just reading what’s on DU has helped avoid hearing trump. I can’t watch anything regarding the SC nominee yet.

You are not alone.

[crimycarny]

11. Yeah...I have GAD

And it sucks. I actually went to a doctor who specialized in meditation for treating anxiety. I’ll never forget being hooked up to a machine that monitored gamma, alpha, and beta brain waves. The goal is to get to mostly alpha waves. beta is when your brain has a lot of activity so you want that activity to be very low.

Ok, so I’m all hooked up and they have the meditation tape in that is instructing me how to breathe, how to relax my body, yada yada yada. So what is my brain doing? Acting like I’m taking a test and failing “Oh my god...I’m not relaxing...wait, am I breathing right? What did they just say? Stop!! Stop thinking! Relax dammit! OMG...I’m not doing this right..”. All through the whole exercise. At the end they told me they had never seen so much beta activity in anyone who was trying to relax.

Anyway, I’ve learned physical exercise is my best defense for anxiety. Maybe I’ll watch the debate while running on the treadmill...

[regnaD kciN]

19. I don't remember exactly which form of anxiety I've been diagnosed with...

...but it peaks at times like this.

I'm not watching, just as I haven't watched a presidential debate in years. I may check out FB comments or the DKos liveblog, but that's about it.

And, normally, I don't worry about it, because I don't think many people are swayed by debate results one way or another. But tonight's different, because (as I said above), the media isn't framing it as a debate, but as a cage match. The big attraction is watching Naranja Non Libre throw everything in the ring at Biden, and seeing if the latter can survive without blowing up. If Joe loses his cool, you know that the narrative will be that he blew it and Trump is back in contention; if he keeps calm, it will be framed that he "seemed sedated," or that he was "low-energy" and appeared "old and feeble." Heads, they win; tails, we lose.

[DonaldsRump]

6. Biden whacked Sarah Palin and Paul Ryan in the VP debates

He'll do the same tonight.

As Jill Biden said on Sunday to Jake Tapper, "Don't talk to me about gaffes after Trump!" (or words to that effect). And both Tapper and Dr. Biden laughed heartily, and Tapper moved on to the next question.

Joe's going to do just fine. And he's going to be completely passionate about it. And 60% of American people will love it.

[Wounded Bear]

7. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you...

Difficult times for sure. Buck up. Life will go on.

[ihas2stinkyfeet]

8. i'm mostly optimistic, but

i also keep one ear open for the sound of dropping shoes.
as long as it isnt the whoosh of one flying at me, i can carry on.
but always having a plan b is good. my plan a is always aspirational anyway. they never go quite like i think they will.

[tavernier]

10. If you think Joe can't out debate a crack head moron

with an IQ in double digits...

You shouldn’t be here.

[crimycarny]

12. Thanks for the helpful advice (not)

And for completely missing my point that I realize my anxiety is not rational.

[tavernier]

15. I worded this badly and certainly didn't mean to degrade

your anxiety. My intention was to encourage your correct understanding of who trump is and dispel some of your concerns. Sorry I screwed up my meaning.

[crimycarny]

17. Ah, ok

So basically meant to be encouraging by saying “remember the moron he is up against”. LOL. Thanks for the clarification.

[tavernier]

20. Yup. Trump is devious

but he is so greatly outmatched in brains and experience and humanity, and debates will highlight those differences.

[stopdiggin]

13. and if you anticipate the media will crucify Biden

over any little mistake -- I think you are mistaken in that too. There's far too much "stink" sitting in front of Trump for the that.

yes, Faux News is in their little bubble -- nothing to be done about it -- on the other hand, FOX is not "the media"

[crimycarny]

14. I hope you are right

It just seems the media likes to chase after a story, any story, to drum up drama. That’s why I love that Jill Biden completely shut Jake Tapper down when he tried to bring up the tired “Biden gaffe” narrative.

Ultimately I believe in my heart Joe will do great. It’s my own (useless) anxiety that gets in my way.