This election season has me worn out. Since a lot of my work involves being on social media, the endless articles, videos and bantering has me on edge. Heck, more than being on edge- I feel slammed and shaken to my core. It’s not important to discuss here which candidate I support, but my stress has hit the zenith level to the point where it feels like Political PSTD (post traumatic stress syndrome). I can’t get away from it. Fear is in the air. Who will win? What will happen?
Having ADHD is a bit like PTSD as well and we know that many with ADHD also have PTSD, for a number of reasons that I won’t get into here.
With ADHD often comes hypersensitivity, hyper arousal, ruminating and obsessive thinking and well…just plain worrying.
Life can be hard enough just finding our toothbrush in the morning and our slippers at night. Though we DO need to educate ourselves so we can choose the candidate that reflects our core interests, concerns and more, we also have to take a step back and get untangled from the mess we are watching on the news and other media.
I have vowed to read fewer posts and articles about the election unless it pertains to just facts and other information I need to keep up with the basics.
How about you? Are you feeling overwhelmed? What can you do to help calm yourself down? Please share your thoughts in the Comment section, below.
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Thank you, Terry.
A few days ago, I went to Facebook and was overwhelmed with the bickering and fighting.
I was terrified. My adhd imagination ran away with me and I didn’t sleep much that night. I’ve since decided to give Facebook a break.
I like going to the Women with Add/ADHD room and a few other private groups but until I can control my impulses to go to the main Facebook feed, I’ll stay away.
As for other intrusive, non-productive information, like political ads, I find that they’re mostly on the network shows. I don’t watch many shows on network tv and when I do, I’ll mute commercials and leave the room.
It’s all too negative and all too much!!!!
Thank you again.
I am sooo with you on this. I’ve had my fill, too. I think we with ADHD can feel things very strongly and have strong reactions. This stuff has taken its toll on many of us, causing significant anxiety, depression and more.
I’m glad you’re staying away from it!
I am with you Terri, in how difficult it can be to sort the wheat from the chaff in all the publicity about this election. One solution I have for myself: only pay attention to the most boring factual stuff; with the exception of “Last Week Tonight” or Michael Moore. The rest tires me out, trying to grok any logic out of it all. I have stopped blaming myself for that.
It is just a very difficult situation.
Pam, I agree. It’s really exhausting and upsetting- the last thing we all need when we’re grappling with the ADD stuff. We *really* need to be taking care of US right now. Nothing we say on Facebook or whatever is going to change anyone’s mind re: who to vote for. It’s just spinning the wheels to nowhere land.