The Aftermath of Elections: Healing Emotional Bruises and Moving Forward
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Articles, Mental Health
The election is over, and for many, things did not go as they had hoped. Some feel that their hopes and dreams have been crushed, while others fear what the future holds for themselves and for those they care about most. Since the founding of this country, the creation and signing of the Constitution, and the establishment of a federal democratic republic, we have been governed by varying political ideologies. This is why elections are held, and why ‘your voice, your vote’ truly matters.
Despite knowing that things can, and possibly will, change every two to four years, a large percentage of the population feels emotionally bruised. Radio, television, social media, and other internet sites feed into these emotions, creating automatic thought loops of gloom and doom, while the winning side congratulates and applauds. Election stress is not just bad for mental health; it can harm physical health too. The diverse team of licensed, professionally trained counselors, therapists, and clinicians at Improving Lives Counseling Services diagnose and treat the symptoms and side effects of emotional bruising, political, and election stress.
POLITICAL / ELECTION STRESS
The American Psychological Association (APA) found political concerns topped the list of stressors on their 2024 Stress in America survey, stating “political anxiety is a source of chronic stress that differs from psychological conditions, with its unique impact on emotional well-being and societal cohesion.”
Political Stress
Political stress is the psychological strain people experience due to polarization, division among family and friends, political upheaval, changes in ideologies, the possibility of significant policy changes, rumors of political violence, and election results. Because political decisions can have far-reaching economic consequences, individuals often perceive these decisions, whether enacted or not, as threatening their job and financial security, affecting their ability to provide for themselves and their families, and significantly impacting their standard of living. This is especially true for those who consume a lot of political content.
Election Stress
Election stress is the anxiety and emotional strain felt during the election process, fueled by uncertainty and the potential for combative or contentious results. Polarization can lead to conflicts and create social tension, making conversations with friends, co-workers, or family members who have differing views difficult. Fear of outcomes related to social issues, environmental policies, and healthcare as outlined by a candidate or a party’s platform, whether exacerbated by campaign tactics or negative advertising, can further add to the emotional burden. Concerns over misinformation, uncertainty about where to turn for ‘fact-checking,’ family expectations, and pressure from friends to conform can lead to conflict and feelings of disapproval. Ongoing stress and anxiety can intensify as concerns about the election results mount, leaving individuals feeling unhappy, isolated, and hopeless.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS
“Researchers have seen increased reports of cardiac events that lead to hospitalization following elections. They noticed a spike in the five days after elections, and mainly the Monday after the election — that was the highest spike. Specifically, there was about a 17% increase in the number of heart-related hospitalization events in the five days following elections compared to the number measured just a few weeks prior. Dr. Abed Asfour with Dignity Health Arizona said it’s important to recognize that while mental health is affected by election stress, so too is physical health.”
Physical symptoms of political stress can include headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, and problems affecting various body systems; such as the gastrointestinal, immune, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems. Seniors and the elderly often report migraine headaches, hypertension, shortness of breath, muscle tension, heart palpitations, chronic fatigue, and pain.
SYMPTOMS OF POLITICAL – ELECTION STRESS
Symptoms of political / election stress in individuals with no mental health diagnosis differ only in that they can’t do much about it – the results are the results. Behaviors such as staying in bed all day, avoiding leaving the house, ignoring phone calls, or refusing to answer the door won’t alter the results. For some, the loss of their candidate in an election can feel as painful as losing an intimate partner or lifelong friend. Their anxiety, anger, frustration, helplessness, difficulty concentrating, and intrusive negative thoughts are challenges they must learn to manage as they come to terms with the outcome.
“A huge number of people are struggling to process the election results. And because many people spend a third of their lives at work, they will be bringing those feelings into the office. Now that the race is over, bosses may be dealing with a significant number of dispirited workers.” Fortune Magazine
Emotional Bruising
The psychological and emotional impact of a political loss can be similar to how a physical bruise forms after an injury. It is the lasting emotional pain that results in feelings of rejection, betrayal, loss, or deep disappointment. Emotional bruises triggered by a political loss can make it difficult to get through the day, “it’s like always having your boxing gloves on and being in defense mode from the moment you first encounter others after the loss.”
Social, cultural, religious, racial, and gender disparities can be emotionally bruising throughout a political campaign, and even more so following a political or partisan loss. LGBTQ+ crisis hotlines reported a surge in calls from emotionally bruised adolescents, teens, and young adults, expressing deep fear and anxiety after the election. Concerns have been raised about a potential rise in suicides within their community.
According to Dr. Robert Bright, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist, election stress disorder isn’t a scientific diagnosis, but the concept is real. It’s an experience of overwhelming anxiety that can manifest in a number of ways.
SUMMARY
Political stress, election stress, and emotional bruising can be traumatic. If left untreated, they may lead to mental health issues. With more than 50% of the population saying the recent election was the most important election of their life, with 77% saying it was the most stressful event of the year (to-date), and 56% believing the election could be the end of democracy, the trauma is real – and can be treated.
Improving Lives Counseling Services’ diverse team of licensed, trained professional counselors, therapists, and clinicians treat the symptoms of political and election stress, addressing the specific needs of each client, through cognitive reappraisal techniques, improving mental health, and emotional wellbeing. The election is over – now is the time to heal. Call us to learn more.
