Overcoming Election Anxiety

Well its nearly the end of the American Election but the anxiety it is causing amongst the population is getting higher. In the American Psychological Association annual “stress in America” report, half the people surveyed (52%) said the election “is a very or somewhat significant” source of stress in their lives. It will probably not end even after the election as the nasty comments between the two sides will continue, blaming each other for various events. Even in England the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has reported that there has been an increase in reported anxiety from children concerning world affairs, including the American election. These children are constantly hearing the insults and worries which each side projects on their opponent.

John Cameron, who is the head of the helplines at the NSPCC, told the television news channel CNBC that “uncertainty about what will happen in the new world” is increasing the anxiety for the children. Children are overhearing their parents discussing global issues and the 24 hour news and internet access are increasing children’s exposure to such topics. Old and young are being bombarded with negative images and views of the world and its affairs. This causes emotional stress to a certain degree for all concerned.

So what is the answer so we and our children do not stress out concerning these elections?

Over 150 years ago, when people would come home from work there was no bombardment of global news, no internet/Facebook/emails to check and no phone calls to make (the phone was invented 1876). In general stress and anxiety has increased over time and during the elections it has hit a high point because of the intense, nearly constant messages people are receiving from the media.

The truth is that not everything can be blamed on the media since the way that people process the information which they receive has also changed over time. In the past 150 years people have become more focused on what they feel they need and what they want, instead of thinking about the needs of the people around them and the larger picture. People have taken on the mindset of constantly wanting new updated or disposable objects which they “need” to have a comfortable life.

Before this “disposable” age we live in, in general (with notable exceptions) people led more meaningful lives. It was a premise in the view of society that an individual needed to aim to be an upright personality, helping the poor and needy and that itself was a goal. Depending on the country in which a child lived, he or she was taught by the Priest, Imam or Rabbi that doing the right thing counts with people and their leaders being accountable for their actions (at the very least by a higher power). The child was taught that even if no one gave them credit for what they did, they would still benefit. Contrast this to the present overall education system which emphasizes that the child try to be a smart boy or girl. In regards to moral questions though, the education system teaches that if no one sees the child making the right choice then they cannot be held accountable. The actions that individuals take have become more worrying as people feel that there is less accountability.

Around 50 years ago a new look at therapy was introduced by a psychiatrist by the name of Victor Frankl. Helping people with their different problems, Frankl emphasised the need for meaning in peoples’ lives. Whether the outlook is good or bad, an individual can overcome their fears or depression, living a more productive life when they find meaning in their life. Frankl went on to help millions of people with his book “Man’s search for meaning” and individually with the clients he helped.

This election has seen both sides slinging mud at each other and giving us reason to worry what would happen if either side gets into power. Every individual or parents need to take practical steps to not add to their stress in their life, with the addition of thoughts about the election. So what would be those practical steps?

Firstly, their needs to be a real recognition of how much time you spend on the internet or the news, watching or reading about the election. Once you cast your vote, do you really need to be updated constantly to know who might win? Try turning off your smart phone, computer until Wednesday morning to see what will be the outcome.

Secondly, in that time that you are not a slave to the media, think about what you could do to benefit the people around you regardless who wins the election. It might consist of thinking how to help a colleague at work or about visiting someone who you believe is lonely. This could also include planning how to make more time to speak to your children about the values that you want them to grow up with or reading them a story which would help them see the benefit of making the correct choice in life.

Whoever wins the election, the individual in society can make a difference to the people around them and that is important. The knowledge with the certainty that we can still achieve good in the world after the election and make the world a better place will decrease any symptoms of stress from the election. People can find meaning in their life by increasing in acts of goodness and kindness which will result in changing the world for good.

Nevertheless , there could be times when the child or adult for some other reason cannot find meaning in their life. The individual might feel anxious or stressed out for various reasons and so it would important for them to speak to a trained therapist who will help them with their therapeutic techniques.

Yitzchok Kaye BA, Pg. Dip., Msc is a trained, qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, who also specializes in other therapies. He helps individuals and couples with their challenges and issues. He has been a practising therapist for a number of Counselling Organisations but now has his own private practice. He is available around the world via Skype. He can be contacted at Yitzkaye@gmail.com