The Trump depression: Experts see a serious psychological depression taking hold in America.

[bdamomma]

https://www.alternet.org/2019/09/the-trump-depression-experts-see-a-serious-psychological-depression-taking-hold-in-america-heres-how-to-fight-it/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1459&recip_id=21760&list_id=2

snip of article:

Reviewing “Trump’s Wacky, Angry, and Extreme August” on Twitter, the New Yorker’s Susan Glasser said the experience “was exhausting, a dark journey to a nasty and contentious place.” But that’s hardly news: it’s a place we live in every day. We try to turn the volume down and ignore it, and that may work for a while. But it won’t last. It can’t. It’s getting worse, and we can all see where we’re headed.

We know who Donald Trump admires, who he wants to be like — “president for life” as he keeps on telling us — and the countries they rule. Even as Trump insulted Americans and allies with abandon, Glasser noted, he found time to praise North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

America is nowhere near as bad as Brazil or China, much less North Korea. But our democracy is eroding significantly. Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) tracks hundreds of attributes of democracy for 202 countries, spanning more than two centuries. Its 2019 report found that “24 countries are now severely affected by what is established as a ‘third wave of autocratization,'” an erosion of democratic rights “that has slowly gained momentum since the mid 1990s. … Among them are populous countries such as Brazil, India and the United States.”

If Trump has his way — demolishing all restraints on his power — things will only get much worse, with the journey Glasser took as a tour book guide of what’s to come. And people are feeling it in their bones.



we must do everything in our power to stop this cancer.

[FirstLight]

1. I feel it

I also wonder if they do studies, they would see an uptick in alcohol abuse etc...anything to numb the torment.

[bdamomma]

2. mental health issues

are taking hold too. Remember there are professionals to go to if people feel the need to talk to someone.

[SunSeeker]

4. The professionals haven't been much help.

My husband has gone through 2 therapists over the last two years to deal with his depression that descended upon him with Trump taking office. They have been unable to make him feel better.

[Maraya1969]

41. May I suggest a self help group that really

Helped me years ago. I still use the techniques sometimes today.

It is called Recovery International. The have a web site and A FB page. It has been around since about 1930 and I believe the doctor who started it was the Father of Cognitive thinking.

After all, if you can change your thinking you can change your mood

[SunSeeker]

42. It's not me, it's hubby. He's tried groups. Hasn't helped.

Although he says it does make him feel like his life could be a whole lot worse when he sees how some folks are doing in those groups.

Not sure if it involved Recovery International. What are some of the techniques you still use?

[Maraya1969]

43. You learn rational thoughts to replace irrational thoughts that create the symptoms.

Like "Feelings are not facts, they lie and deceive and tell us there is danger when there is no danger"

Feelings are a harmless outpouring of a nervous imbalance"

"Excuse rather than accuse for the sake of your mental health"

"Endorse yourself for all your part acts" "When you are endorsing yourself you are not blaming yourself"


"Nervous patients strive to be exceptional because they fear they are less than average" "You only have to do a average good job" "Strive for averageness"

"It's never the situation, it's always our interpretation of the situation"

"Movement of the muscles overcomes defeatism of the brain"

Those are just some off the top of my head. You end up learning them and they are always at your disposal. Plus, they encouraged the 5 minute phone call if you are in symptoms. Dr. Low, (The creator) said that after 5 minutes you are just complaining.

[SunSeeker]

54. Yup, or as an old buddy of mine used to say, "it's mind over matter...

...if you don't mind, it don't matter."


Of course, that's easier said than done. But thank you for laying all those smart suggestions.

[DemocracyMouse]

63. The best therapy is ACTION

Repressing a natural fight-or-flight response to real threats (like Trump and his army of Republican enablers and billionaire puppet masters) is what leads to psychological problems.

We should all trust our guts, not label these feelings "irrational." We should rise to the challenge and do what the folks in Hong Kong are doing: start occupying airports and the capitol until the thing that is disturbing us actually recedes from power.

There is no therapy like a good protest shared with other intelligent and sensitive souls.

[SunSeeker]

69. That's what I do, I volunteer for political campaigns. Hubby has no time for that.

It's a problem.

[bdamomma]

78. Exactly

Trust our guts, and dig deep into our souls to know we must rise!!

[Newest Reality]

5. Really?

If one has the insurance or money to afford one, that is.

That is just an anecdote of my past experience. What you may get, under those circumstances, is somebody who might do a short evaluation of your problem by asking questions and then they prescribe something and you are out of there rather quick. It can be clinical and sterile and there is no talk therapy in many cases.

[FirstLight]

15. Besides, it's not like a psychiatrist or psychologist can help "political anxiety"

or whatever they would even call it.

It's just a collective grief for the planet and helplessness at our devolving society and government...

I've thought for quite a while that we all have a form of "abused child" energy from this shit.

[DENVERPOPS]

21. there is no amount

There is no amount of Therapy that can help with this overwhelming feeling of helplessness and hopelessness that people are feeling.
They know that there is nothing they can do or say that will change what is being forced up on the citizens of the U.S. by these Fascist/Psychopaths....

[RKP5637]

34. Definitely!!! Therapy can help when you have some control over the events. There is no way to

escape this than perhaps leave the country. Millions feel ignored and none care what they want or think. What is going on is a massive takeover and ripoff of the US, and ignorant assholes supporting it ... and others in it for the money and/or power.

[DENVERPOPS]

70. Exactly

The coup is nearing completion.......I have to say, to a degree the american voters or non voters brought this on themselves thru a lack of involvement or being totally un-observant. To this day, I have come across people that repeatedly say they don't get involved with politics and have paid no attention to the country's leadership and their actions. They and many others have just buried their heads in the sand for DECADES, and just go on their way with their microcosm with them in the center and not ever looking around at what is going on in the U.S. or the world for that matter.

I remember campaign night when the talking heads of TV were discussing Bush having "defeated" Al Gore.
James Carville was laughing his head off. The other commentators asked him why he was laughing seeing as he was a big wheel in Democrat politics.
He said he was laughing because the voters were about to find out that their votes have consequences

[RKP5637]

74. Millions still don't get what is going on, and others just don't care. It's tragic! n/t

[Wounded Bear]

6. Well, there is the opioid crisis...does that work for you?

A LOT of people are feeling the helplessness. The drug du jour is opioids, I guess.

[RKP5637]

10. Definitely many feel helplessness. I'm not surprised by the opiate crisis at all. n/t

[DENVERPOPS]

75. To say nothing

To say nothing of the legalization of grass across the nation. The powers to be had to allow something to numb the public from what they were witnessing............

[mopinko]

3. people should read this. i think it is important to address

the sickness that is bigger than twitler.
this points toward an agent of change for our candidate.

[Locrian]

13. yes!

>>>this points toward an agent of change for our candidate.

this is why it's so dangerous to field a corporate or conservative dem. In this environment, anything that looks like it will shake things up will be perceived as better than the same old.

[mopinko]

18. like mayor pete said- normal wasnt working. normal is how we got here.

and like kamala says- we arent going back.

[Locrian]

20. yep - was it Naomi Kline

that said we can't go back to what gave us trump?

[cilla4progress]

7. I want to adress this with my doctor,

but I sense she's a fundie, so...

[shanti]

51. I told my doctor that this would happen

after Chump was elected, and she just gave me a bemused look. She certainly didn't take me seriously.

[Hawaii Hiker]

8. Many sleepless nights here

Trump might be the worst thing that ever happened to this country....This bastard truly makes one miss George W Bush..

[RKP5637]

9. It just doesn't let up with this asshole in the WH. Every day it morphs into something new.

Those slapping their thighs and smiling/clapping thinking tRump's one of them are in for a very rude and evil surprise. They are being duped by a clever con artist. They need to read some history of what has happened in other countries. tRump, is in this for himself and F everyone else. He is a narcissistic con artist, and he is NOT your friend!

Several of my doctors have said they have patients suffering from this, mainly high blood pressure, etc. And they have seen it affecting both L, R and Independents. None seem to be really immune.

[lagomorph777]

11. It's certainly that way for me.

I'm frightened all the time now. Can we defeat the monsters?

[duforsure]

12. I see a financial depression

Coming from trump for putin using phony facts to start another war for trump , putin , and some others to make them billions off us.

[KPN]

30. How can there not be with all the discretionary manipulation of markets that has been going on

under and by this illegitimate POS pResident? Tweets about the Fed!? Tweets demanding negative interest rates?! Tweets about tariffs every other week if not morte?! Trade war with China?!

It's coming for sure. The question is when. Everything he does makes the manipulation that preceeded the 2007-08 crash look like peanuts in comparison. He's an evil bastard who cares about nothing other than himself, his power and his fortune. (oh yeah, he does actually care about people's perceptions of the size of his penis -- he cares about that too ... sigh)

[SeaTownBlue]

14. PTSD - Not Depression

Trump assaults America every day.

Just as Putin orders.

[2naSalit]

55. Yup.

Welcome to DU.

[TNNurse]

16. I believe I drink more since he invaded our government.

[KPN]

31. No question I do, but thenm I'm retired so I can afford a routine evening buzz to medicate myself.

[TNNurse]

40. I am retired and also only in the evening.

[rickyhall]

17. "taking" or "taken"

The Republican Depression has been going on since 2010 at least. In fact, I'm thinking more like 2000, when the W Coup occurred. The 21st Century hasn't happened for us, we're still moving backward.

[DemocracyMouse]

64. Well put!

[OliverQ]

19. My depression and anxiety have gotten much worse since Trump took office.

Things just feel hopeless with how fast this country is collapsing.

My psychiatrist says most of her patients have said Trump and the current political environment have really harmed their mental health. Almost all her patients bring it up in their sessions.

[ancianita]

22. Yep, obvious since MF45 took over. Opioids as medical treatment is one important indicator.

The other is the vast number of non-voting Americans who just won't "play" what they think is a game where they are the pawns.

Global autocratization has used propaganda and corporate PR, mixed with the politics of identity and fake news distractions, to create the extremes of frustration, misdirected anger and eventual helplessness and hopelessness people now experience.

What has looked like chilled, cheapened discourse, or even fevered craziness -- has actually been normal reactions to the uncontrollably abnormal conditions they've been forced to live with, and have now become sickened by. Body, heart, mind and soul.

[Leith]

23. I'm not alone

This crap has been getting progressively worse and we have all been feeling it. DU is like a group therapy session for me.

Every year I get seasonal depression around the beginning of September. This year it has been the worst it has ever been.

Avoidance is the best I can do. I stopped watching political talk shows (all of them, even Rachel and Lawrence). Reading escapist literature helps (Umbridge is going to get her comeuppance in just a chapter or two hee hee).

Good luck to us all.

[LiberalFighter]

24. Prison for life for Trump and family.

[Sinistrous]

25. ...and for a large number of the bastards he has installed throughout the government.

[blue-wave]

26. Oh Just Wait

He's working real hard on creating a monetary depression too.

[bucolic_frolic]

27. To paint with a broad brush and define our moment

Every power grab in history has ended in an abrupt change in government. It's what historians are missing. It's not just the revolutions and the wars, it's minor skirmishes too. The European Revolutions of 1848, democratic revolts in Italy, Bourbon depositions, Glorious Revolution of 1688, Solidarity, Depressions. Concentration of power squeezes the people. Our Founders thought they had divided power permanently, fractured it temporally, geographically, institutionally, politically with division of legislative, judicial, executive power, time counts, elections, parallel judicial hierarchies, internal mechanisms for revision. But still they came for the power. Our system is everything it was designed to be, but it depended on wise patriots large and small, and an informed citizenry. They didn't realize the extent to which the populace would swallow lies fed them by elites determined to grab the power. Or the extent of concentrated economic power that could be used to exploit and plunder.

This is it. It's all on the table. Hunker down, talk it up with your fellow citizens if any are undecided. Ask the MAGAtzis what they plan to do when power is concentrated against them, in elected offices, in courts, in enforcement, and against their rights. Ask them. That is the question to which the MAGAtzis are blinded. They think nothing is bad as long as they can vent their hatred against their perceived enemy, the dreaded Liberals. Do they like freedom of worship? Stable currency? Independent movement? Ask them. Ask every one of them. Because it's all on the table in 2020.

[RKP5637]

37. Exactly and well said!!! "Our system is everything it was designed to be, but it depended on wise

patriots large and small, and an informed citizenry. They didn't realize the extent to which the populace would swallow lies fed them by elites determined to grab the power. Or the extent of concentrated economic power that could be used to exploit and plunder."

[Skittles]

44. the Founding Fathers never envisioned an entire political party being corrupt

that is what we have now

[RKP5637]

46. And also, of course, thought they cared for the country and all the people. n/t

[zipplewrath]

77. The system assumed the various branches would defend themselves first.

No one anticipated that the Senate would become the lap dog of the president. A Senate that is elected by 30% of the population and is a lapdog for the president is a very dangerous arrangement.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

28. Seeing clearly how McConnell & Co broke us on 1/20/09

Their reaction to Obama in the midst of a hemorrhaging economy exposed their disgust for democracy, their preference for oligarchy and reliance on lies. It has only gotten worse. Add to that the pervasive neo-reality show-world, "Surviovor" mentality, and if you don't tune out tRumpCo, you go over the edge.

P.S. Many talk shows last week were besieged by Kardashians. No talent, no nothings who manipulate the manipulative.

[jmbar2]

29. Beware of despair trolling

Some despair trolling may be supported and fed by Russians, who use "active measures" to elicit hopelessness as a means to cripple us.

Russian scholars developed an elaborate theory of information operations called reflexive control that... uses all means available to shape the information environment and manipulate what an opponent thinks to force him to make a desirable [i.e. bad] decision.

Russia wants to weaken democratic societies (US, Europe, UK)because it cannot complete with them economically, militarily, or in terms of desireability. Russia is particularly challenged today as younger generations agitate for more democracy at home.

Keep your eyes open for elicitations of heightened despair in media. Question the sources. As an antidote, give Teri Kanefield's twitter feed a follow. She shows why democracy is stronger than you might think, and offers concrete ways for us to protect it during these challenging times.

Link to tweet

For a complete description of Active Measures used as warfare, see

https://ssi.armywarcollege.edu/pubs/parameters/issues/Spring_2018/9_Allen_VictoryWithoutCasualties.pdf

[RKP5637]

38. K&R!!! n/t

[DemocracyMouse]

65. Yes, transcend the fascists. Democracy is better and they can't stand it.

The best therapy for all of this is ACTION.

Join the PROTESTORS across the planet 🌎... in Hong Kong, Russia, and anywhere they are turning oyr in this TV-addicted country.

[jmbar2]

68. Amen!

I've been giving them encouragement via Twitter. They are so brave and inspiring.

[klook]

71. Thank you! Following Teri Kanefield now.

I’m in good company — her list of followers includes Rachel Bitecofer and Mike Luckovich.

[pangaia]

32. it's like america has an abusive, deranged parent..or spouse...

with republicans as the enablers...

[panader0]

33. I went through stages of outrage and disbelief.

After about two years my outrage meter broke. I recognized that
the asshole in the White House and his minions were getting to me.
I don't let them bother me as much--I mean, I can see they are just
as evil as before or worse, but I refuse to let them bother my beliefs.
This will pass and we must rebuild. Let's keep our spirits up.

[Freedomofspeech]

35. Count me in...

Plus my stomach has gone haywire because of my anxiety.

[Faux pas]

36. We need to bring a nationwide class

action suit against the whole bunch for extreme stress and anxiety.

[Marthe48]

39. My husband was battling cancer

I don't think the crooked results of the election helped his fight. He passed away less than 2 wks after the criminal was installed in the White House.

Several of my friends mention that they have trouble being happy. One friend has stopped watching the news, disgusted by the endless news about crime in plain sight. I feel disheartened, but I feel like if I stop speaking up, I'm giving up.

[bdamomma]

45. Don't

give up, remember this is what tRump/Putin want to happen to break our will.

[Marthe48]

79. Thanks!

I always wish I could do more, but I will keep doing what I can. Thanks for the reminder to keep on keepin' on

[Claritie Pixie]

47. We have to take care of ourselves, first.

I would tell the same to any woman in an abuser/abused relationship with a narcissist, something of which I have a lot of experience.

He gets pleasure out of emotionally charged reactions and feeds off of it. Both positive and negative. Those of us who know who he and despise him are unfortunately unable to escape his barrage because of his power and authority, so we must be able to disengage emotionally or allow his pathology to negatively affect our thoughts to the point of exhaustion and futility. When the latter happens, he wins.

We have to find ways to stay balanced or lose our minds.

[triron]

48. Suicide rates are up as well.

[MyMission]

49. Depression is (suppressed) Anger turned inward, so here's a pep talk!

And many don't even realize that. Many feel helpless, then hopeless, then depressed.

Most of us here are angry, we vent, rant, become more active, and have this supportive community.

We see the lack of consequences, the blatant disregard for the rule of law, the higher purpose of government dismantled, the corruption. It infuriates me, for the most part. It's like a nightmare, except it's more than a bad dream, it's a horrible reality. But I know I am not alone.

Our anger, indignation, intelligence has not brought about the changes we long to see.
So we turn it inward, and depression creeps in. I agree with the PTSD comment too. It's like we are prisoners of war, but we are not prisoners, we are free and must fight to retain our freedom!

I ask myself if I can make it another year, if we can, as a nation, survive what Cult 45 has been dishing up these past years. And then fear sets in...what if he is reelected, impossible, I tell myself, except I thought it was impossible the first time. I do believe we will eject them, but I know great harm has been done.

It's exhausting, for so many reasons. But we are like soldiers, and this is war! We must keep going, keep fighting for the cause and fighting off the depression: keep the anger, and do not suppress it.

Staying engaged, writing letters, making phone calls, donating time and money to worthy causes, political and social, venting our anger and supporting each other is the way to fight the depression, and to keep it from grabbing hold. If an evening adult beverage is soothing, go for it! And laughter is good for the soul.

I am so grateful for this community. I have suggested this site to many who feel isolated, alienated, unsupported, and depressed about the political and social issues that plague us at present.

Keep up the good fight, stay angry (not complacent), and believe we can and shall overcome!

[bdamomma]

83. Welcome to Du!

What insightful and keep up with the fight post. We got to remember stand united. We can do this.

[shanti]

50. Definitely!

And we haven't hit bottom.

[grumpyduck]

52. Sorry if this has been said before,

but in general I think we have the Reps in Congress and rhe MSM to thank for it.

Thanks a lot, ASSHOLES!!!!!!!

[ecstatic]

53. I have trump anxiety.

The depression lasted for several weeks after he was elected*, but I'm over that phase, I think.

*Selected by Russia

[2naSalit]

56. My therapist told me that

a large number of their patients have anxiety over the government since late 2016. For me it's like the background noise that is incessant and grinding. I can ignore it for a time when I go to the farm but when I am done with having my head focused on something of interest to me, it's back to the old same tension.

My PTSD has been harder to deal with since November 2016, without question. And I thought it was bad when W was around.

[sagesnow]

57. The Trump Slump

is affecting us economically, spiritually and psychologically.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

58. We can lead the fight against this evil, or concede.

Tag-team the bastards. Rest when you need it, then get back to resisting (and educating).

[MarianJack]

59. I completely agree.

However we can also hope that all those Big Macs & filet o fish catch up with his dimpled crusty "239" pound ass and removes him from office the old fashioned way. Of course, then there'd be Pence, so we're still screwed until 1/20/21.

RESIST!

[bdamomma]

84. I'm hoping

his own unhealthy issues catches up with him esp. his anger issues. May it consume him and take him down.

[orangecrush]

60. KICK

Burying your head in the sand is not an option.

[bucolic_frolic]

61. Rule of law only applies to little people

Those who exploit us, who set the rules and write the laws, and lend the money, and tax us all - they are no longer subject to any rules or laws. Of course people are scared.

[dalton99a]

62. We are ruled by a so-called president who terrorizes his citizens 24/7

[DemocracyMouse]

66. Protest is the best therapy.

Go to the next rally near you. I just missed the Eliz. Warren rally in Washington Square, NYC, and regret it. Whether she wins or loses the primaries is not as important as getting ALL Democrats motivated to get physically active in this election.

Join me in making big, badass handmade bumper messages for your car or truck. Try these:

FASCISTS ARE STUPID
DEMOCRACY IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR
GREEN NEW DEAL? Yes thank you 😊
VOTE FOR ANY DEMOCRAT IN 2020

[klook]

73. Good slogans, thanks.

I saw a bumper sticker in Atlanta recently:
“Any Functioning Adult 2020.”

And I agree that protest is the best therapy, as is registering people to vote, volunteering, and doing fun stuff with other people.

[Always Randy]

67. CHEER UP! only take the Arsenic Light ---and regain your gratitude

we are not victims ---but rather victors----2018 was not fake news---you're gonna be alright ----long term GOP seats fell in California-----these were Ronald Reagan and John Wayne districts---in Georgia --Republican Speaker of the House -Newt Gingrich's seat (remember him and his Contract with America----his seat is now held by a WOMAN---DEMOCRAT---PERSON OF COLOR---GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE----let's not lose our gratitude----and --Jon Osoff is running for the Senate in Georgia-------anything that we could do to help him and others in Georgia-----I will be working to unseat Susan Collins in Maine----cheer up everybody ----we have a game to play---and we've only just begun---and I do believe that we can run Kavanaugh out of SCOTUS

[mnhtnbb]

72. I just finished reading Johann Hari's book about depression and anxiety

titled, Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression--and the Unexpected Solutions

I highly recommend it for an understanding of this Trump induced depression--or any other form of depression and anxiety--and some ideas for the kind of action we need to take to treat it. Hari's well researched book challenges the idea that depression is primarily biological and fixed by taking drugs to alter brain chemistry.

Definitely worth the read.

[smirkymonkey]

80. I just bought the book through Amazon and haven't started reading it yet.

I plan to start as soon as I am back from my business trip at the end of this week. I also bought "Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs." by him as well. I am looking forward to both books. I need to start reading more and paying less attention to the media - for my own sanity.

[mnhtnbb]

81. I haven't read Chasing the Scream but should get around to it.

I have been reading a lot the last few years in order to balance the crap going on out in the world as well as the upheaval in my own life. And yet, here I am awake in the middle of the night again.

Hope your business trip is a success and the flight home uneventful.

[njhoneybadger]

76. No shit, I'm bouncing back in forth from rage to depression Like a tennis ball

[NCLefty]

82. We had it too good, for too long. People got complacent.

Then the Internet came and sucked half of society into a virtual attention-hole.

Who will save us if 92 million eligible voters won't even show up?