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Post by Admin on Nov 8, 2016 14:39:52 GMT -4
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Post by Lee Wagner on Nov 8, 2016 15:59:20 GMT -4
This is an interesting time for America! The election does bring about a lot of anxiety, stress and worry. However, like Flores says "it’s important to focus on what you can control: exercising, eating healthy foods, maintaining your normal schedule. The more your usual healthy routine becomes replaced and focused around the polls and the election, that’s an early warning that you may be going down a road from which you will have cognitive and physical problems,” he said. Focus on what you can control, make sure you do your part and vote, and know you did all you could do. Let the rest go, you aren't in control, the final results will come out tonight and go from there. As a Canadian I'm okay taking a step back watching this unfold. There is a running joke right now amongst Canadians "we are watching the season finale of America", it's anyone's game and we will all have to wait patiently to see how it unfolds. Be at peace.
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Post by Kathleen Jourdan on Nov 8, 2016 16:47:18 GMT -4
I found this article to be entertaining. It almost felt like it was meant to be a joke. Of course people are going to be more anxious and stressed during this election, because it is stressful. Never in history has an election like this taken place and many people are unsure of the future of America, which is scary for even the most sane person. All I know is that I am looking forward to this election being over so people can stop the fighting and arguing over who is going to win, and get back to sharing cute cat pictures over Facebook!
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Post by Caren Ramdeen on Nov 8, 2016 17:08:30 GMT -4
It is very easy to find oneself caught up in the politics of today. As the article stated, some level of curiosity/anxiety is natural and expected; however, when this curiosity starts having negative impacts on one’s health, whether it be physically or mentally, it’s time to seek help. It’s important for the public to be aware that election-related stress does exist and that close attention should be paid to signs and symptoms. Another article that I came across stated patients with pre-existing depression, anxiety, or PTSD have experienced worsening symptoms. Last month, the APA reported that more than half of adult Americans named the 2016 elections as a significant source of stress. The article rightfully states patients should do what is in their control, such as adopting a normal schedule that includes exercising and healthy eating, in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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Post by Jennifer Ganzhorn on Nov 8, 2016 19:48:13 GMT -4
I am not surprised that most people are having a lot of anxiety about this election. It seems that you cannot escape the election coverage on TV, online, newspapers, radio, or socially. I think that the media is mostly focused on ratings and try to be as dramatic and polarizing as possible in order to increase viewership. We are constantly being bombarded by the idea that if either candidate is elected then the whole USA will basically implode and cease to be the USA we know, love, and fight for. With so much anxiety and stress accompanying the election, it is important to separate yourself from the media frenzy. For me personally, I have stopped talking about who I voted for because there is a 50/50 chance that friends or acquaintances will be annoyed, angry, or “unfriend” me on social media because our political beliefs differ. For someone who has a psychiatric disorder, I believe that the election coverage and “doomsday” predictions are very unhealthy. I think that if someone is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, or “paralyzed” by the results, then you should definitely talk to your doctor, therapist, or mental health professional in order to continue your daily activities in a healthy way.
Jennifer Ganzhorn MS3
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Post by Elio Monsour on Nov 8, 2016 20:33:22 GMT -4
I certainly enjoyed how this article sheds light on the stressful politically-dominated atmosphere we’ve all been enduring for quite some time. Overwhelmingly much of what viewers see on media has been negative and has undoubtedly taken a toll on everyone’s well-being to an extent. It’s nerve-wracking to many individuals to know what changes lie ahead. As the article states, I think it’s important to have a “post-election psychological plan” since who knows what’s to occur the day or weeks subsequently. Nonetheless, things will eventually simmer down and we will resume our day-to-day schedules without heated political debates and satire dominating our media outlets.
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Post by Chetan Singh on Nov 8, 2016 22:01:00 GMT -4
This article brings to light a wealth of interesting psychological ideas and how they relate to the political nightmare we find ourselves in. I think it is important to understand how the changes that occur outside of our control can affect us and patients. It is easier to find the reason for depression or anxiety in a patient that provides an identifiable cause, but to understand that there can be factors beyond the scope of their personal lives is notable. I did take issue with the part of the article that claims that “it’s not our fault,” however, as this political scene is undoubtedly our fault as an American people. We are all to blame for this mess.
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Post by Krishna Patel on Nov 9, 2016 10:59:57 GMT -4
It's post-election now, but the idea of Obsessive-Compulsive Poll-Checking Disorder does hold some merit. I can relate to checking the states votes online, holding my breath and shutting my eyes, as the page refreshed, showing the latest results. I'm sure a lot of people were doing the same, taking time away from what they should be doing and watching the polls with hypervigilance. Compared to past elections, I do believe this election had more cause for stress and anxiety, which interfered with people's daily lives. But like the article suggests, we should focus on more what we can control. Keeping up with routine day-to-day activities, eating healthy, working out, are definitely good ways to keep control, as the author mentions in the article. Making your voice be heard in the form of a vote is also something we can do. Contrary to what the author says, I believe we are to be held accountable for who becomes elected because our votes or our silence puts them in a position of power.
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Post by Gaurav Agarwal on Nov 9, 2016 11:34:38 GMT -4
Good read. I have to agree, there is something about the elections that really gets people excited, maybe anxious, and possibly even obsessive-compulsive. I think it has to do with the deeper more basic connection that people feel when they watch their favorite athlete/politician/actor become a champion. The reason we love watching our favorite basketball team/politician win is because the same hormones/feel good chemicals that are released in that person’s brain during competition are the same ones that viewers experience, while viewing. Losing can be an anxiety causing experience. We saw it on every face of the Lakers Bench every night last year, while the Warriors players danced around before/after/during games. Obsessions and worries about elections can cause stress and anxiety, which leads to compulsions like checking phones, which temporarily relieves that anxiety. I hadn’t thought about it before, but I see how it could be possible.
G MS3
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Post by Joe Debrah on Nov 9, 2016 22:45:00 GMT -4
After encountering some few patients and reading several posts on social media one day after the general elections, I must admit that this article could not be anymore accurate. As I interviewed patients who came to the clinic today because their anxiety have worsened, I begun to wonder how patient management is impacted by social issues especially psychiatric patients. There is no doubt that this election season has been very emotionally demanding and will remain so for sometime for both physicians and patients. This article brings to light the importance of treating our patients as holistic individuals as opposed to treating a specific condition. Patient compliance, risk of abuse or overdose, etc. This is especially important in our psychiatric patient population where we deal with individuals who are more likely to overreact, or even harm themselves as a result of their lack of control. It is important to teach our patients to know that no matter how much they disapprove of the election results, as Miller said, "Ultimately the outcome of this election is likely to have less impact on individuals, day to day, than we think.”
JD ms3
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Post by Varun Kaushal on Nov 9, 2016 23:01:40 GMT -4
Reflecting on the election that has exposed deep and sometimes-ugly rifts in American society, there was a great deal of emotional turmoil. This article shines a light on the stress and anxiety that this election has caused. I think it is important to see how the election and the environment associated with it can cause anxiety, depression or other mental ailments. Situations that are out of a persons control that cause depression or anxiety is important to understand. With the results ultimately being out of a persons control, I think it can cause a great deal of anxiety as the next four years are uncertain. There might be a sensation that something bad will happen to them. With the election now over there is still this post election stress. I see it when I’m talking to someone about the results or when my friends are spewing their beliefs on my Facebook wall. I agree with Dr. Michael C. Miller that a person should remember that this election is likely to have less of an impact on them than they think.
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Post by Namadi Belle on Nov 10, 2016 13:48:23 GMT -4
Great Read. This is post election. This article is definitely an eye opener. I agree that there has always been some degree of obsessive compulsive poll checking disorder, however this election uprooted and exposed a lot of emotional turmoil that many wish to deny. It is very easy to become caught up in this 'political nightmare'. For many persons nothing is more nerve wrecking than the 'unknown'. That factor of 'what if', 'what could be', 'what will be' weighed heavily on many individual's minds. It did not help that at ever turn there was some form of election coverage: TV news station, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, radio stations and newspapers. Avoiding election coverage to me was almost the same as trying to avoid my shadow. It was virtually impossible. It was everywhere. This election process has caused an overwhelming rise of feelings of anxiety, depression, hopelessness and to a great extent anger and aggressive in many individuals. Instead of being concerned about working, exercising, enjoying activities of leisure, and spending time with family and friends, many were cemented behind computers or fingers glued to cell phones constantly refreshing poll updates and statuses. These stressors are potential triggers for risky behaviors. As much as many persons hate to admit, we cannot avoid the inevitable. With the elections now behind us, there is now post election anxiety and stresses to address. Therefore, instead of focusing on situations we have little to no control over, we should try to channel those feelings and energy into activities that are more meaningful, uplifting and positive. Being at peace with ourselves and finding balance is going to be key.
Namadi Belle MS3
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Post by Roy Villafane on Nov 10, 2016 13:55:32 GMT -4
This article is very funny. We all know that the election process is difficult and can bring a lot of anxiety to the people, specially all those hardcore democrats or republicans. I guess it was very interesting seeing firsthand how the people were going crazy about one candidate or another, but at the end of the day is all part of the democracy. But with the election in the past I think is going to be more important to focus in the anxiety post election than the anxiety produced by the process of electing a new president. I guess there's going to be more patients in all the psychiatrist offices for now on!
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Post by Samantha Ehrlich on Nov 10, 2016 13:58:27 GMT -4
I think it is good that individuals have taken such a keen interest in the election and with two such polarizing candidates it is evident that supporters of one cannot fathom a country run by the other. It is worrisome however, when the behaviors described in the article including obsessively checking the news sites and polls, avoidance, sleep disruption, irritability, and drinking problems, begin to negatively impact a persons daily responsibilities and prevent them from accomplishing social, financial, emotional, and personal duties. I agree that with the election coming to a close, individuals need to have a plan for post-election withdrawal. If the election indeed induced an anxiety disorder, it is important for patient’s to seek help and get needed medication.
Samantha Ehrlich (MS3)
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Post by Vj-Amit Sieuraj on Nov 10, 2016 17:23:59 GMT -4
Definitely an interesting read. I am sure that many Americans, and by extension citizens around the world, found themselves obsessing over the recently concluded elections. Many would agree that the hype was mainly because of the two 'unique' candidates. Americans were understandably concerned by the possible outcome just because no matter who won, the country is clearly divided. Knowing this was enough for someone like myself to NOT develop the supposed obsessive-compulsive poll checking disorder. With that said, I could understand that some may need some advice on how to better cope with such habits should they develop. The article smartly stated that we should focus on factors of our lives that we can actually control - dieting, exercising etc. I wouldn't be too blown away if we encounter some patients suffering with post-election anxiety. Bring em on!
Vj-Amit Sieuraj [MS4]
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