Are people feeling election-related anxiety? Here’s how you can manage it

(WXYZ) — As people deal with ads, Facebook posts, and uncertainty this election, we want to know what they’re worried about and how they’re dealing with it. I wanted to know.

“I’m worried,” said Pam, one of the voters.

“My overall reaction and mood is overwhelming,” Martin Siles said.

“As I felt at the beginning of the year, I knew this was going to be difficult because everyone was on the other side,” Linda Brown said.

Anxiety is one thing many Americans seem to have in common this election, no matter which side of the aisle they are on.

“What does that mean to you? Is it advertising? Conversation? Or the prospect that your policy decisions won’t be implemented?” I asked Kai Anderson.

“I like to say it’s advertising, it’s advertising. Advertising hits home all the time, and more and more ads come around election time,” Anderson said.

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“So there’s no escape?” I asked Mr. Brown.

“There’s no space at all. If you go on TikTok or Facebook, it’s everywhere,” she said.

“If you study history, this could be historic in the worst sense of the word, but I don’t think we realize that. So of course I have anxiety and I’m not willing to show it now. “I’m working on it,” Pam said.

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According to trauma psychologist Dr. Arash Javanbhakt, these feelings are symptoms of fear. He said the tactic has become more weaponized in campaigns than usual recently.

“Fear sells, and they’ve learned that negative emotions get our attention,” Javanbakht said.

While some concerns are legitimate, Dr. Javanbakht said to reduce anxiety about elections, we should waste less time and spend more time making connections.

“When I watch cable news, it seems like my whole world is on fire. When I go outside, I go downtown, I go to my neighbors, I talk to people, and I see that people are You’re living your life and you see things aren’t like that. It’s terrible,” Javanbakht said.

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Javanabakht said voters should try to find a balance between now and November and beyond.

“Please understand that we are not running for office ourselves. Political identity is just a part of my identity. It is very important, but it is a part of me. There are many other aspects of my being, and so are you, and so are my neighbors,’ ” the doctor said.

“Focus on the positive and make sure there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel,” Anderson said.

“We need another way to deal with these differences,” Chris says.

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