The Mental Health Corner Archive
Elections can lead to voter stress
October 29, 2008
Surviving the final days before the elections
I have found myself avoiding the front pages and national news sections of the newspaper, and the television news stations and programs the past couple of weeks. I have been feeling overwhelmed by the barrage of articles and reports on those running in the US Presidential Election. They are full of reports about past behaviors, relationships and promises for the future.
Both of the presidential candidates have spoken about changing the psychology of the voters. And, we observe their attempts to manipulate issues, from comments on bad mortgage loans to reductions or increases in taxes. They tell us that if we will just trust them and not the other candidate, then things will get better financially. Many similar claims have not been fulfilled very well in the outcome of past elections and this election will probably not be much different when it comes to the present candidates’ promises.
Usually within a couple of months after the White House has its new occupants, things settle down again on the national and local level and much of what has happened in the past continues on. Not too much changes, whichever party wins the national election. Hope of some people for major change runs high for a while and then they too settle down to reluctantly accept what is decided for them at various levels of government.
To survive the current political scene and not be overwhelmed or withdraw, it is helpful to identify those issues that are important to you at a national and local level. You should then attempt to find responses of the various candidates you are considering, as they address those issues. You also need to be careful to look beyond the rhetoric of a candidate to their track record, to see how they have performed in the past and not just what they promise for the future. It is important to look beyond the claims and the counter claims, the smiles, the pretty faces, the quip phrases. It is also important to remind yourself that most political advertisements are active attempts to sway voters, attempts that often have limited substance behind them. This is usually true of political advertisements; even when there is substance behind the candidate.
When you select the candidates of your choice, then you need to hold to your position with them. They should be your candidates unless there is compelling evidence that ultimately reveals deep character flaws or that alters how they have dealt with or promised to deal with the issues you closely examined and researched, issues that are important to you.
Approaching political races in this manner reduces your personal feelings of indecision, and stress and strengthens you to be much less influenced by the slick advertising or claims and attacks of candidates upon one another. You will be able to vote in the election booth or file that absentee ballot with a renewed sense of confidence in the candidates you have chosen. You will find some renewed hope in the US election process and will sustain better emotional health in these final days before the elections.
Phil House, Psy.D.
