Political Trauma

Last night, I was at dinner with professional colleagues and the topic of the state of the world arose as it often does in my social circles. We spoke about the impact on our clients and ourselves as mental health practitioners and human beings. Some said that they avoided social media the best they could, to maintain their own peace of mind, others agreed that they wanted to stay informed but not inundated with news. We shared that some of our clients had an exacerbation of pre-existing mental health symptoms. We spoke about how to address the issue of clients with views that were opposite our own. One response was about finding common ground, things we could agree on and to assist them with symptom management and help them to cope with the challenges in their lives, political or not. Even if the temptation is to attempt to change their minds or political affiliation, we are not supposed to do that. Some clients on both sides of the aisle are experiencing chosen or incidental distance from family members as a result of their opposing personal values.

I mentioned a social media thread on a therapist group Facebook page I am on in which someone (anonymously) stated that they felt judged harshly because they support the current administration. The prevailing response on the page was questioning, how this person, as a mental health professional could stand by as real harm was being done to many in our country as services are being cut, social safety nets are being dismantled, LGBTQIA+ folks were being demonized, and entire immigrant communities are being persecuted. How could this person as a mental health professional stand by as abuses were being perpetrated by the current occupant of the Oval Office? As a social worker, I am called on to be a social justice advocate. Throughout this conversation, the original poster held their ground and spoke about how we as therapists are supposed to be non-judgmental even when it involves colleagues. Not sure I can do that when I can at least attempt to stop the hurting and heal the wounds. I had a thought as I was driving home last night, that we can’t do the second until we do the first. It’s like someone returning again and again to an abusive situation and getting re-wounded.

What contributes to Political Trauma?

A president who refers to a female reporter asking legitimate questions as ‘piggy,’ and not one of her colleagues intervenes
A president who invites the crown prince of Saudi Arabia to the White House; the same man who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
The longest government shutdown in history
Threats by the president against anyone in the media who asks him anything that even remotely seems to challenge him
Fear of deportation, whether or not someone is documented
Witnessing political violence
Grieving the loss of rights and freedoms, including the right to free speech
Fear of war
Fear of gun violence in any setting
Invasion of Democrat run cities by the National Guard
Lying, hiding and obfuscation of the facts of the Epstein sex trafficking ring and those involved
A ‘leader’ who leads by force and threat of retribution
A cavalier disregard for the safety and wellbeing of the country as he aligns with dictators and disparages allies
Destruction of parts of the White House
Accepting bribes from anyone desiring influence

I wake up daily with an alternating sense of dread, wondering what fresh hell has broken out over night, and hope that we are seeing light. The recent election that brought a big Blue wave helped me to experience the latter. In my community of Bucks County, PA (a swing county in a swing state) a new sheriff and DA were elected, local school boards became Blue, PA Supreme Court judges were retained. Sheriff Danny Ceisler was interviewed on MSNBC as he eloquently spoke about his intention to make our community safe, not only from crimes, but also from ICE. The current sheriff has made it clear that he wants to strengthen ICE with his own deputies. I see the resounding defeat of Fred Harran as a clear message that many in Bucks County want both safety and social justice. The SCOTUS decision not to hear the case about dismantling same sex marriage rights made my heart happy.

Political Trauma is not listed as a diagnosis in the DSM-V which I think of as the bible for mental health professionals. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is list of diagnoses and their component parts. I can well imagine that there will come a time when it can be found there.

How does it present itself?

Lost sleep
Anger and irritability
Helplessness and hopelessness
Somatic symptoms such as headaches and GI distress
Withdrawal and isolation
Hypervigilance and waiting for the other shoe to drop
A feeling of powerlessness
Avoidance of political conversation or near constant conversation about politics
Allowing the current state of the world to take up a great amount of space in one’s life
Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
Turning to substances to self medicate
Excessive worry
Triggering memories of past trauma

How to cope

Recognize what you can and can’t change
Surround yourself with kindred spirits who support you
Engage in activities as best you can that uplift you
Listen to music that soothes your soul
Meditate
Exercise
Spend time in nature
Share hugs
Volunteer for organizations that do good work in your community
Get involved, at your comfort level with activism which could look like- contacting your legislators, writing postcards encouraging people to vote, attending peaceful protests and rallies, donating to campaigns you support, writing letters to editors, having safe, calm conversations with those on the other side of the aisle, attempting to understand their perspective and plant seeds for change
Work with a therapist who can guide you through these tumultuous times and help you feel empowered.
Find pockets of joy anywhere you can.