(((Shortandcute))),

Well, that is why I decided to put up my own struggle. I had a strong feeling that I am not the only one feeling very challenged by this election. And after discussing my challenges with my T, he confirmed to me that people with PTSD really struggle because their sense of safety is already being "very challenged". And there have been so many "scary" messages going back and forth in this election too.

People may react to me in "OE, this is always what happens in politics" but at this point in my life, I am noticing it in a very "different and deeper way". It is "ok" that both sides are "lieing"? Oh, to top it off, we all vote "subconsciously" and both these parties running "know that" and their "campaigns" are designed to motivate that part of us that "most people have in common". In other words, basically we all want to feel "safe", be able to "work", feel our country is "strong and safe", and have our "right to our pursuit of happiness". Well, that is what all human beings want. So each of these candidates are going to "message" that "need" in each of us. And the hard part is they are also going to "lie" and "act" whatever way they feel will "motivate" us to vote for them. And it doesn't mean that one candidate over the other is really going to "fix" what is broken.

I have been very "undecided" and if I go into any group of individuals that are "decided" and share my questions and doubts, that group will only find ways to actually "dislike" me because I am quetioning "their choice". For example, in this thread, I gave my impression of the last debate where I could see that Obama was making a lot of "effort" to "rattle" Romney. Romney didn't take that bait and did stay calm. Well, an Obama supporter will only see Obama's performance as "domineering" and they will be happy with it. Oh, I am too wishy washy and people who have made up their mind are simply not going to like that and even will consider it a threat in some way. I am still "undecided" and just made an observation. And if I said I liked Obama's performance, well that would mean I am supporting him and people who have decided on Romney would not like that.

Well, I am just being honest about how I feel really, but somehow that is some kind of "threat". And that really goes way back for me. And that is not just "politics" that is also "religous faiths too" as well as cultural, and class as well.

And I genuinely was "puzzled" about Lybia too. And that has "nothing to do with Romney". I just looked at that situation, how it was addressed and it confused me, and it still does. I have not even said "conspiracy" either, I honesly don't know what to think. So am I a "bad" person for wondering about that? Does that mean I am trying to dissuade anyone? No, and there is still more coming forward about that situation that "does puzzle me more'.

However, I did hear Condelessa Rice's explaination on that "kind" of situation and how there is a "process" that takes place to "investigate" it. And she did mention that after the first 9/11 there were changes made to improve the communications to gain a better understanding in a shorter time when something like this takes place.
And what I liked about her explaination is that she didn't "bash or accuse", she just made an "honest" effort to explain it. It didn't give direct answers to what happened in the Lybia situation, however at least I have an idea of how something like that is handled.

Well, ((shortandcute))) I am glad you have a place to express the fact that you have been challenged too. And I can truely understand how it has aggrivated the PTSD you struggle with, me too. However for me personally, I am giving myself permission to recognize where this challenge goes back to places in my personal past. And I recommend you do the same, and just take on these challenges and an opportunity to continue to "self search" and find "resolve". That is what I am doing and I bring it all to my T and I also just allow myself to be "open minded" and to just open up. That is what I am doing here.

And anyone is welcome to share in this, it may be a good way of just having permission to express how you are affected.

And ((shortandcute))), it is "ok" that you feel this way, you are really not alone, try to give yourself permission to just quietly tell yourself, that your "concern" is normal. Also remind yourself that because you have PTSD, you are going to be "more sensitive" and it's ok, you are not alone, there are others that can relate to how you feel. And also try to "not" let your mind bring you to thinking the worst as well. Unfortunately there are lots of those "threatening messages out there too" they are always there when it comes to "human nature".

Open Eyes