[WilliamC]

I seem to have an irrational obsession over today, the election, and politics in general. I obsess over things that do not go the way I would hope they would and I act like the results of the election is a matter of life or death. I'm getting tired of this behavior, it's unhealthy and it's making my life miserable. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((( WilliamC )))))))))))))
My only advice is to try to stay away from the tv, I have to be careful on how much of the news I watch because it can turn into an obsession. I try to find anything to distract me.

[Zloppy]

Haha. I don't think that that is a big deal to me. It is a very very important day. If Obama wins, the country will die. If McCain wins, The country will live. A lot of Obama voters are voting for him just because he is black. Would you rather have a president who is a president just because he is black, or someone like McCain who can protect the country and has more experience. It all depends based on today. So it IS a big deal.

[Broken65]

I agree Zloppy..

[onlymedid]

Originally Posted by WilliamC

I seem to have an irrational obsession over today, the election, and politics in general. I obsess over things that do not go the way I would hope they would and I act like the results of the election is a matter of life or death. I'm getting tired of this behavior, it's unhealthy and it's making my life miserable. Does anyone have any suggestions?

WilliamC, I think being obsessed over something like this is understandable. I am pretty obsessed with it myself as this is a HUGE day. While the elections are not a matter of life or death, per se, it is a major change in American history. I would agree with Gimmeice, stay away from the TV if you can. You will hear about the results tomorrow.

I think the suspense is what might be getting to you, I know it's getting to me just a bit.

Zloppy I find your comments extremely racist ......

just my opinion Jinny

(((((((((((((((((WilliamC))))))))))))))))))))I hope you have a better day today ......

[onlymedid]

Originally Posted by jinnyann

Zloppy I find your comments extremely racist ......

just my opinion Jinny

..........

[Zloppy]

Originally Posted by jinnyann

Zloppy I find your comments extremely racist ......

just my opinion Jinny

No no. Why is the word "Black" Racist? It is racist to call Obama black? I have nothing against Obama because he is. Why does everyone get so defensive over saying someone is black, or voting/not voting for someone who may be black? If Obama was white, I would still not want him to win, just based on what he wants to do and his plans. Just he happens to be black.

[Perzephone]

I was obsessed with today myself, simply because I had volunteered to work the election - I was designated an alternate in case someone called in sick. Thankfully, no one did

I think it's kind of sad that it takes two vastly different candidates to attract voters to the polls, tho. Every election should be this important. We have this valuable right and so few people act on it. It's free, it's easier to do with each election, and it's something we all need to do more often.

[Zloppy]

Originally Posted by Perzephone

I think it's kind of sad that it takes two vastly different candidates to attract voters to the polls.

I know. Schools were closed today because they expected soooo many people to vote that they needed to use a lot of schools for voting places.

And like what goes along with my other posts is that, a lot of people who don't normally vote (a lot of blacks, no offence) are actually voting. Which brings my previous point in that they are all voting for Obama just because he is black too and they want to make that change to make him the first black president (which in my opinion will not end up good). At least it's gotten more voters out and participating.

My dad showed me this thing on the computer... This guy goes up to random black people and asks who are they voting for and they say Obama, and then the interviewer asks is it because of he is pro-life, and wants to stay in Iraq. and they answer yes. Those are McCain's things, NOT Obama's. Yet they are so out of it they don't know and just vote for the "fellow black person". and the last question asked was about if they would be fine with Palin as vice president. And they answer yes. They did that to several people and its up on youtube i think.

[digdug]

Zloppy, some constructive advice. A lot of us on this forum have some very strong political views, one way or the other. But this is not the place to express them so strongly. A lot of people could slam you for what you've been saying, but have the maturity and restraint not to, because this is a place where people go to find support.

I guarantee you that you alienated a huge number of posters with your remarks. If you're looking for help in the future and none is forthcoming, don't say that nobody warned you.

I normally enjoy your contributions to this forum...please don't sully them with such divisive political postings. Also, as you get older, you might discover that the world isn't quite as black and white as you imagine...no pun intended (or perhaps it was intended? ).

Sorry if I upset you Zloppy .... I just dont see the colour of a persons skin matters .... he has worked so hard and so many Americans obviously want this change..... it did come cross as racist a little .... no offence to you, I didn'tmean to upset you, just wish coour hadn't been mentioned...... we are all equal ...... if you didn't want Obama to win that is fine .... just didn't really need to mention colour? We are all entitled to our opinions, I am British, I have no say, just pleased cos I think he is a great person and has a great attitude ..... Bush just isn't one of my fav people and I think Mccain would have just carried on where he left off ....not good in this Brits opinion ...... (((((((((((((Zloppy)))))))))))))))))))

[e_sort]

Originally Posted by digdug

Zloppy, some constructive advice. A lot of us on this forum have some very strong political views, one way or the other. But this is not the place to express them so strongly. A lot of people could slam you for what you've been saying, but have the maturity and restraint not to, because this is a place where people go to find support.

I guarantee you that you alienated a huge number of posters with your remarks. If you're looking for help in the future and none is forthcoming, don't say that nobody warned you.

I normally enjoy your contributions to this forum...please don't sully them with such divisive political postings. Also, as you get older, you might discover that the world isn't quite as black and white as you imagine...no pun intended (or perhaps it was intended? ).

VIGOROUSLY NODDING IN AGREEMENT

I disagree quite strongly with zloppy but I think it's really better to just concentrate on our mutual nuttiness.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by WilliamC

I seem to have an irrational obsession over today, the election, and politics in general. I obsess over things that do not go the way I would hope they would and I act like the results of the election is a matter of life or death. I'm getting tired of this behavior, it's unhealthy and it's making my life miserable. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I suggest writing down limits to how much news you can watch and read on TV, newspapers, and online. Write down the hours (something reasonable like two hours per day) on a notecard, and tape it to the TV (or computer). If you buy news magazines or newspapers, restrict them from your possession at all times, or throw them away after reading it for one and only one time, once a day (preferably in the morning).

Replace your "Political Blackout Time" with goal directed activity, such as leaving your residence and exercising, spending time with friends, or exploring new hobbies you have always thought of doing or that seem interesting. It's important to replace the obsession with something else, or you will experience anxiety and it will be hard to overcome the desire to "reoffend". If you've never tried psychotherapy with a psychologist for these sorts of problems, I highly recommend it.

Last but not least, be good to yourself if you should happen to slip up from time to time; it isn't a personal failure if you give in and slip up now and then. If you do resort back to old habits, as soon as you recognize it, physically stop yourself and remove yourself from the content. Go for a walk, ride a bike, socialize, do a hobby, read a fiction novel, whatever. You can assign a trusted person to be accountable to, who is someone you can call whenever you are in danger of resorting to the obsessional behavior (sorta like an AA Sponsor).

Hope my ideas give you a starting point.

[Simcha]

Originally Posted by Zloppy

I know. Schools were closed today because they expected soooo many people to vote that they needed to use a lot of schools for voting places.

And like what goes along with my other posts is that, a lot of people who don't normally vote (a lot of blacks, no offence) are actually voting. Which brings my previous point in that they are all voting for Obama just because he is black too and they want to make that change to make him the first black president (which in my opinion will not end up good). At least it's gotten more voters out and participating.

My dad showed me this thing on the computer... This guy goes up to random black people and asks who are they voting for and they say Obama, and then the interviewer asks is it because of he is pro-life, and wants to stay in Iraq. and they answer yes. Those are McCain's things, NOT Obama's. Yet they are so out of it they don't know and just vote for the "fellow black person". and the last question asked was about if they would be fine with Palin as vice president. And they answer yes. They did that to several people and its up on youtube i think.

We are discussing how to deal constructively with an obsessional compulsion with politics in general that have likely been aggravated by the electoral news coverage in the US. I don't recommend going public with your personal and political viewpoint that you've touched on, as it's not very conducive to polite society and most people will find it triggering and provoking.

If you want to be actively engaged in the conversation, we welcome your suggestions. Have you any ideas yourself on the issue?

I think it is funny how everyone makes sure they call Obama 'black,' when he is, in fact, 50 percent black, and 50 percent white...

But anyway... he won so everyone can relax.

[Zloppy]

Sorry for going off topic. It's just how I am to get defensive and try to either explain things, or defend things. There is more I could say again, but I will be quiet.

(((((((((((((((((((((( WilliamC)))))))))))))))))))))))

I realized I was feeling a lot of extra anxiety leading up to the election myself.
I think no matter WHO won, it would just feel like somewhat of a relief to me for it to be over.

My H is very obsessed with political things, to the point that it led him to a year-long depression that totally took him away from our family. He just isolated himself in the basement with the computer and read and read and read.

What he found out in the end is that.....his obsession made NO difference in how things work out. Things will either go well or they won't. His obsessing was doing nothing to control or change the situation.

Because he is kind of obsessive and prone to depression, he had to find something to replace it with - and he did (an online game). So, he's kind of obsessed with that, but at least it is something fun for him.

Good luck to you. Feeling obsessed about something out of our control is such a hard feeling to have.

[DocJohn]

Folks, I will remind you that it is against the community guidelines to turn someone's thread about ANXIETY into a full-blown discussion about politics. Keep it to the OP's topic, thank you.

[bebop]

Originally Posted by pinksoil

I think it is funny how everyone makes sure they call Obama 'black,' when he is, in fact, 50 percent black, and 50 percent white...

But anyway... he won so everyone can relax.

obama himself claims being black. he could have claimed white but he didn't.

((((((everyone))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Hes a person always first awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

muffy

((william)))) walking away from the tv and comp will help alot
hope you feel better soon

[Sannah]

William do you want to talk about your anxieties over the outcome of this election?

Is Omama black? Gee, I didn't notice. All I saw was a very exceptional man. I didn't vote for Jesse Jackson in 1988 because I didn't feel that he was the best candidate.

There was a study in Science where they found that those who have more conservative leanings also test higher for fear. I found this very interesting.

William maybe this is why you are a bit unsettled? If you are already fearful you would prefer the candidate with the heavy protective hand. To prefer Obama a person needs to see the world as a less threatening place where talking to others is okay and where there is gray not just black and white.

[WilliamC]

Originally Posted by earthmama

(((((((((((((((((((((( WilliamC)))))))))))))))))))))))

I realized I was feeling a lot of extra anxiety leading up to the election myself.
I think no matter WHO won, it would just feel like somewhat of a relief to me for it to be over.

My H is very obsessed with political things, to the point that it led him to a year-long depression that totally took him away from our family. He just isolated himself in the basement with the computer and read and read and read.

What he found out in the end is that.....his obsession made NO difference in how things work out. Things will either go well or they won't. His obsessing was doing nothing to control or change the situation.

Because he is kind of obsessive and prone to depression, he had to find something to replace it with - and he did (an online game). So, he's kind of obsessed with that, but at least it is something fun for him.

Good luck to you. Feeling obsessed about something out of our control is such a hard feeling to have.

Thanks, that's exactly the problem I have, unfortunately if I don't read about it I still obsess over it. This obsession seems to have started in the 2000 election, no clue what happened, must have been that uncertainty thing and my pre-existing condition to worry. The only good news is that I seem to be in better shape, emotionally, than I was in 2006.

[Sannah]

William, I have seen a lot of people transfer the worry in their personal life over to a larger, less personal area like politics. They want to avoid the issues in their life, which is where they really have control and they focus instead on this larger area where they really do have less control.

[CedarS]

The only good news is that I seem to be in better shape, emotionally, than I was in 2006.

William this is a big deal, I hope you give yourself a pat on the back and some praise for your progress!

When I want to change habits and compulsions it helps me to acknowledge progress along the way, no matter how minor it seems to me.

Also works to then replace the behavior that doesn't work for me with something else. Sure takes me awhile but is worth it.

How are you feeling today?