TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Election Stress Traumatic For Some

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: October 28, 2008

CHICAGO - Victoria St. Gelais is panicky. Tami Brewster-Barnes feels the nerves in the pit of her stomach. Steven Valentine is losing sleep as his mood rises and falls with John McCain's poll numbers.

Voters around the country, whether they support McCain or Barack Obama, say they are experiencing nail-biting, ulcer-inducing anxiety ahead of next week's election and all that's riding on it.

"I have kind of a general feeling of near panic on occasion," says St. Gelais, a 48-year-old McCain supporter in Ormond Beach.

Although polls favor Obama a week before the election, it's not just Republicans getting the jitters. Democrats are on high alert after losing two close elections to President Bush in the past eight years.

Democratic blogger Cynthia Liu has dubbed it "Post-Traumatic Election Anxiety Disorder," with hallmarks including restless Web surfing for election information, sleeplessness and making desperate calls to undecided voters.

"It's a very high-stakes election," Liu said.

And right now - amid war, a historic election and a looming financial crisis - is far from a time of calm. Add to that 24-hour cable news shows and near nonstop reporting, blogging and commenting online, and you've got a virtual stressfest for political junkies.

Elections generate so much stress because people vote out of a "very, very core place in their personalities," says Lisa Miller, an associate professor of psychology and education.

CALM DOWN

Some advice for coping with the final days of the presidential election and life beyond:

•Step away from the computer, TV and newspaper, and avoid vicious political arguments.

•Be proactive instead of powerless: volunteer or otherwise make your voice heard.

•Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating right and exercising.

•Realize no candidate is as good - or bad - as you might imagine.

•When all else fails, change the subject.

Source: The Associated Press

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT