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barbtries

(28,702 posts)
34. it's really hard for me too.
Fri Feb 14, 2020, 02:34 PM
Feb 2020

right after the election I was still working including with people i knew had voted for trump, so for the first time in my life (i'm 64) I went to my doctor and got a prescription. I told him I need to maintain professionalism with certain people I feel extremely hostile toward, and from the start I recognized that trump would be a catastrophe. He prescribed klonopin, and anti anxiety medication, and i take about 2 every week. i don't take it daily because it is addictive. I find that I am more productive on days after I take it and so I would say it has been helpful for me.

I also see a counselor. There were other dramas in my life that precipitated that, including losing my job and a family tragedy, but at some sessions we talk extensively about the trauma of trump. This has been for over the past year now, and I've scaled down because I think I am better able to cope and stave off a full blown depression now, and my counselor agrees, but he's still there for me and I will probably continue to see him from time to time.

and this may sound anti-intuitive, but i Twitter. I block anyone who is a trumpster and have followed thousands of resisters and gained quite a few as well. I think of it as group therapy. Because I have a pretty well controlled twitter feed, I get a lot of information and a lot of validation of my views and my distress at what's happened to my country.

I don't know if any of this can work for you or not. Oh yeah I turn off the news on a regular basis and watch youtube videos about other things, happy things. Farmers and birth vlogs and cute puppies and vet shows and cooking. it calms my thoughts.

nothing seems to change since he took office except to get worse. I'm in the resistance for as long as need be even to the death. Many people are not engaged as we are on DU and from my perspective, they are almost oblivious to the damage being done. I wear them out when I talk about it a lot, but I also educate them and raise their consciousness if only a teensy bit.

Lastly, I've become involved in local politics. I'm sec/treas for my precinct. I have marched and participated in get out the vote efforts. I write and call my 2 republican senators. so. check in by and by, I hope you feel better soon. i hope we all will.

Just remember, you are not alone... Wounded Bear Feb 2020 #1
Find community IRL. Grasswire2 Feb 2020 #2
My main hobby is Shotokan Cary Feb 2020 #6
I could say find some boards with the Marmalade Shartcannon painted on... mwooldri Feb 2020 #18
Wado is cool Cary Feb 2020 #21
Is there a way you can make a difference to someone in your community? WhiskeyGrinder Feb 2020 #3
At the clip that Trump has accelerated his crimin', he might not make it 'til Nov Dennis Donovan Feb 2020 #4
You have more faith than I do Cary Feb 2020 #8
Exactly right pandr32 Feb 2020 #11
Why I call the GOP the Trump Party. NT mwooldri Feb 2020 #19
You mean like shooting someone on Fifth Avenue in NYC? CTyankee Feb 2020 #12
Boggles my mind Cary Feb 2020 #17
Well, I guess we were warned. CTyankee Feb 2020 #56
You overestimate them quakerboy Feb 2020 #62
oops, I assumed that you are older --- sorry Grasswire2 Feb 2020 #5
this is absolutely true. barbtries Feb 2020 #35
First, take care of yourself. When we get too far down, we need to remove ourselves enough Feb 2020 #7
Thanks. Yes, trying to do that Cary Feb 2020 #10
You have plenty of company pandr32 Feb 2020 #9
There was an article about School age children barring True Blue American Feb 2020 #30
Exactly and we have a monster role model in the WH pandr32 Feb 2020 #54
#BeBest (nt) TommyCelt Feb 2020 #60
Or, True Blue American Feb 2020 #63
Primaries are always messy. GoCubsGo Feb 2020 #13
Definitely, that is my plan Cary Feb 2020 #15
I don't believe that many of us are enjoying it. GoCubsGo Feb 2020 #27
Sad to wish away good years Cary Feb 2020 #29
Huh? GoCubsGo Feb 2020 #46
I am talking about all of Orange Hitler years Cary Feb 2020 #59
Oh, gotcha. GoCubsGo Feb 2020 #65
How are you with an axe, hammer, pick and shovel? Hermit-The-Prog Feb 2020 #14
I have had to cut down on my political news consumption. forgotmylogin Feb 2020 #16
Yes. Cary Feb 2020 #20
Same story True Blue American Feb 2020 #33
Did you see this thread? I found it very helpful: Amaryllis Feb 2020 #22
No I didn't. Thank you. Cary Feb 2020 #24
I understand where you are. peacebuzzard Feb 2020 #23
I love my cat! Cary Feb 2020 #25
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT! Cary Feb 2020 #26
winter is half over Kali Feb 2020 #28
Thanks, yes Cary Feb 2020 #32
On the first day that it is nice enough outside, take your binoculars and GO. Read Nay Feb 2020 #72
You're not alone. And it's not just the U.S., it's worldwide. VOX Feb 2020 #31
it's really hard for me too. barbtries Feb 2020 #34
Feeling many of those things too n/t hibbing Feb 2020 #36
Item 1 OneCrazyDiamond Feb 2020 #37
From your lips to God's ear! Cary Feb 2020 #79
My suggestions: Find your inner stoic, work on humility and help others. KY_EnviroGuy Feb 2020 #38
Volunteer to sign up new voters randr Feb 2020 #39
Do you have a dog to snuggle with? They can be great reminders of Goodness. Karadeniz Feb 2020 #40
Instead of watching the news go to youtube, put on a good pair of headphones & pick one of many yaesu Feb 2020 #41
This is what I think Silver1 Feb 2020 #42
First things first--take care of yourself and stay strong Ponietz Feb 2020 #43
I've had a virus the last 2 days and started having nausea. 58Sunliner Feb 2020 #44
You have all of my best wishes. safeinOhio Feb 2020 #45
Tarnished marieo1 Feb 2020 #47
Watch this and think about it Dyedinthewoolliberal Feb 2020 #48
I feel ya - if trump wins/steals another election - I dont think I want to live in america anymore TalenaGor Feb 2020 #49
get away from politics for a couple of weeks and dedicate time to your sport or hobby Perseus Feb 2020 #50
It's anxiety. You might even experience a panic attack. PatrickforO Feb 2020 #51
You are battling the human condition. gembaby1 Feb 2020 #52
You are suffering from PTSD lunatica Feb 2020 #53
Not sure this is helpful one bit. But I go through KPN Feb 2020 #55
I feel your pain tiredtoo Feb 2020 #57
as a person with emotional disorders... stillcool Feb 2020 #58
Turn off the teevee and limit your Intertoobz to cat videos for a week. TygrBright Feb 2020 #61
Turning off the television is a good one. hunter Feb 2020 #68
Thanks. I learned 'em the hard way. TygrBright Feb 2020 #70
Everything you mentioned I am feeling too. Mickju Feb 2020 #64
I would recommend disconnecting from politics for 30+ days... Chakaconcarne Feb 2020 #66
Everyday I feel like this Pepsidog Feb 2020 #67
Oh yes, I completely understand. BigDemVoter Feb 2020 #69
Thanks for writing - some more thoughts in addition to the great ideas posted by others... jmbar2 Feb 2020 #71
Suck it up.... Toorich Feb 2020 #73
I totally understand and relate. hamsterjill Feb 2020 #74
Ideas McKim Feb 2020 #75
As others have stated, you are not alone. I, too pnwest Feb 2020 #76
Just hang out in the DU Lounge for awhile. It's fun and relaxing. patricia92243 Feb 2020 #77
This thread is a lot more fun than I have had here at DU in quite some time Cary Feb 2020 #78
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