Is anyone else already having anxiety attacks

[BlueKota]

about next November, if Orange Stalin wins? People keep telling me live in the moment don't always think the future will be catastrophic. Also that I can't do anything about it anyway.

Maybe it's easier for them because they didn't sit in a college classroom watching documentary after documentary about the death and concentration camps in Hitler's Germany. Or watching another documentary about infant girls being murdered by their families in China because of the government's one child per family policy. I did. I don't want to be a witness to those types of horror first hand.

How the hell am I supposed to just stuff it down and pretend that there is no chance of it happening here. I a damn historian and I know the odds of it happening are never zero?

I am not okay with just trying to pretend it's all going to be f ..King be okay because there is no guarantee it will be.

I keep thinking if I had a plan about what to do, if Orange Stalin does win next November, I'd be better able to cope, but I can only think of one way, and I don't really want to be contemplating that route as the only way out, if he wins. Not at risk now, but if he wins, I might be then. A part of me hopes maybe I could apply for Irish citizenship because my a couple of my Dad's grandparents were Irish citizens, but how the heck I'd find their birth certificates, I have no clue, or how I'd get myself and my dog there as I wouldn't have the money. Plus I don't think anywhere will remain safe.

Is anyone else feeling this way and how are you dealing with it? Because I need suggestions. I have already limited my news intake and have tried to keep busy doing other things but the underlying feeling of dread is still there.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

1. Absolutely! I'm even more terrified than I was in 2020.

[BlueKota]

3. Me too. It's like watching a nightmare move closer to reality

and not being able to stop it from happening.

[Deep State Witch]

2. Hugs

Welcome to DU! Honestly, you're in the right place to air those kind of sentiments. We are all feeling the same way. I know that a lot of people have had those same feelings. I know that my husband and I do. I don't know what to tell you. I truly believe that democracy will prevail.

[BlueKota]

4. Thank you so much.

[yardwork]

5. I get very angry when I hear of people urging others not to vote for Biden.

I can't imagine why anybody would do that.

[BlueKota]

6. I do too

I can't believe any person with an ounce of decency would vote for such a vicious horrible man as Trump.

[texasfiddler]

7. I get anxious about the election too!

The one thing that helps me is to get active. I wrote over 100 letters to Democratic leaning voters in swing states in 2020 with vote forward. It kept me off of DU during that time and I think I probably influenced the election in a small tangible way.

[sprinkleeninow]

9. Thanks for the positive encouragement. Vote Forward?

I have heard of it. I'll put that on my to-do list. 💙

[BlueKota]

14. Thank You

That is a very positive thing to do. I think it could also help me feel like I am doing something instead of just sitting here powerless

[thucythucy]

10. You are definitely not alone.

I worry not only for myself and my country, but for the rest of the world as well.

I wish I had some words of reassurance, but I suppose all I can say is you're not alone, and there are millions of people who feel like us. I don't know if that helps, but right now it's the best that I can do.

Best wishes, and welcome to DU.

[BlueKota]

15. Thank you.

It does help to know I am not alone

[hunter]

11. I quit watching television news a long time ago.

My wife and I quit television commercials a little over a decade ago. We only watch DVDs and streaming services that have a no-commercials option.

That's reduced my own anxiety a lot.

Furthermore, I don't read a lot of news about shit I can't do anything about. Personally, I'm some sort of radical leftist and environmentalist, but I'm very practical and positive in my politics. The first President I campaigned for was Jimmy Carter and it was good to hang out with people who knew that the Republican Party was rotten even then.

I've realized over the years that most of my anxiety is organic. My mind goes hunting around for stuff to explain that anxiety. I try to convince myself not to do that, but that's not easy. Meds and therapy have helped.

[BlueKota]

16. I am on meds

but the therapist said she didn't think I needed talk therapy because she thought I was doing better but I don't do well without it. I tried to find a new therapist but most clinics have waiting lists. I told the Psychiatrist and she said she's going to talk to the therapist and recommend we start sessions again, but I am waiting to hear back.

[OldBaldy1701E]

22. I have never been able to secure any kind of 'therapy'.

But they sure don't mind tossing pills down my throat! Those they can give me before I leave the clinic, but actually seeing someone? Good freaking luck with that!!

[Bayard]

12. For what its worth,

I really, really, really don't think he will win. A lot of people that voted for him the first time, realize he's completely lost his mind now. I think Biden will win in a landslide, or many rethuglicans will not vote at all.

Welcome to DU!

[BlueKota]

17. Thank you

I hope even more people start to wake up as time goes on

[Siwsan]

13. Big time

Between holiday depression, my already existing anxiety issues topped off with a growing fear of what's going to happen next November, I'm definitely in a very bad state.

I wish I had some suggestions. Hell, I had to take anxiety medication just to go out and buy a new cat tree. The store I was going to involves a long drive on a two lane road, through one of the reddest parts of the county. I could have taken the freeway but I'd developed an irrational fear of encountering distracted or road rage drivers. I can't even recharge my energy with sleep because I'm having really disturbing dreams, pretty much every night.

If it wasn't for my kidcats, I'd be a twitching mess of a human being. Well, the kidcats and reading or doing online jig saw puzzles. Concentrating on completing those temporarily refocuses my brain.

A bright spot is we, on DU, are here for each other.

[BlueKota]

18. I am sorry you are going through all this

and am also glad we all have each other to share with here.

Animals are a great help. I have a semi feral cat who lives in a shed outdoors who I was able to get spayed through a TNR program. I have it filled with straw so she has a warm space to sleep and I feed and water her everyday. She is not completely tame enough to bring inside but she has come to let me pet her and purrs when I do it. She does not let me pick her up though.

I also have a German Shepherd who is nearly five. He's in the house with me, and though he's not a trained therapy dog he acts like one a lot of times. I tell myself I have to keep battling the anxiety and depression for them because they need me, and for my older sister!

I also listen to audio books and play games on my phone for distraction.

[XanaDUer2]

21. I'm sorry nt

[XanaDUer2]

19. As someone with severe anxiety

Im sorry. I get it.

I turned the news off.

My dr said take steps to find out info and what is in your control. GOTV. Donate to Dems.
I play puzzle books from AARP.
I take deep breaths.
I do have benzos for anxiety.
Im trying not to extrapolate problems info the future. This is hard.
I watch my favorite YT videos

FWIW, I doubt Trump will ever be President again. Best of luck. Chronic anxiety is a bitch and it negatively affects my life.

[Timeflyer]

20. You have plenty of anxious company. It might help to get involved with local Democrat party and

work to help elect candidates who'd fight to protect our democracy. Speaking from experience in Sarasota, FL, which has become a center for fascist-lite, authoritarian grifters like Traitor Michael Flynn and Moms for Liberty founders Bridget and Christian Ziegler. (Google the latest news on the Zieglers--they're getting a good dose of comeuppance right now for their hypocritical grifting ways). It helps to get out and meet other people who are experiencing the same MAGA-induced stress you are.

Anyway, if you in college, join groups on campus, and in your community that raise hell about issues you worry about. Encourage voter registration. Stay strong, never give up, we need you.