SAN DIEGO — In the wake of Tuesday's election, many Democrats are experiencing symptoms of depression, including anxiousness, fear, and overwhelming sadness. Mental health professionals are offering guidance on how to cope with these post-election emotions.
Dr. Michael Lardon, a psychiatrist, reports that every patient at his office on Wednesday brought up the election, with the majority being Democrats.
"It's almost like going through stages of grief," Dr. Lardon explains. "You know, first there's denial, anger and then finally acceptance and I really want to emphasize we have to accept it to get past it - to move forward and life goes on."
Dr. Wendy Hill agrees that accepting the results is crucial and recommends taking positive action.
"Support the institutions that your heart believes in. Do something positive," she advises. "Doing something positive and focusing on what you can do to make your life and other people's lives better is a wonderful cure for depression, for anxiety, about whatever is happening with you."
The American Psychological Association reported that 69 percent of Americans felt significant stress heading into the election. To alleviate this stress, experts suggest:
• Maintaining your regular routine
• Taking care of yourself through exercise
• Avoiding arguments about the election results
Dr. Lardon emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives. "I always like what Warren Buffet used to say. He said if you really want to understand something, understand the opinion that doesn't agree with your own opinion... and then you open your bandwidth so to speak and that's a healthy way to think."
By following these strategies, individuals can work toward healing and moving forward in the post-election period. As Dr. Hill reminds us, "All is not horrible," and focusing on personal priorities rather than judging others can be a step toward recovery.