You might have a mild form of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
PTSD has risen sharply over the past month subsequent to the presidential election in the USA. More and more reports are appearing. Why?
1. Whenever we try to process something outside the range of normal human expectations, our brains go on reverb loops trying to make sense of it. This process can be addictive, especially if the source is erratic and unpredictable.
2. Brains are lazy. They avoid conscious decisions when they take too much energy. Decision-making ability deteriorates with complex and repetitive decisions. Over the period of the presidential campaign, we have tried and failed to force reality and evidence to make sense. After many efforts over time, the brain becomes immune to further effort.
3. Neurons that Fire Together, Wire Together. Neurons activated together create stronger connections. Trump creates a strong and enduring brand memory (pairing of emotion and visual image) which continues the PTSD.
Symptoms
Symptoms may start at any time within three months of a traumatic event (November 8, 2016). They're evidenced by any or all of these signs.
1. Intrusive memories
Recurrent, unwanted memories of the traumatic event
Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event
Emotional distress to something that reminds you of the event
2. Avoidance
Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
3. Negative changes in thinking and mood
Negative feelings about yourself or other people
Less likely to experience positive emotions
Feel emotionally kind of numb
Hopeless about our future
4. Changes in emotional reactions
Irritable
Guilt or shame
Trouble concentrating
Trouble sleeping
Steps to Take
1. Acknowledge symptoms and know that you're healthy and "normal" because you do.
2. Speak openly; support groups have formed in most cities. Avoid blame and derision, just focus on your own reactions. You need affirmation that how you feel makes sense.
3. If you can't avoid the news, watch it consciously. Note how Trump creates division and mass addiction by his erratic, unpredictable and inappropriate behavior.
4. When thoughts and memories intrude, thought-stop and replace with action (write, call, support movements that can restore sanity, help someone else) or a substitute another thought."It will be OK in the end, if it's not OK, it's not the end."
