President Trump has been in office for a little more than a week, and some people in the County are feeling anxious, scared, and upset.
Denise Dewhurst is a full time faculty member in the Psychology Department at Montgomery College. She also has her own private practice. She has worked as a psychologist for decades.
Dewhurst told MCM the 2024 Presidential election results have been more unnerving than in 2016.
“It’s interesting, it’s different. After 2016 there was a lot of panic, a lot of we have to do something. What can we do kind of stuff? This time, there’s more of a feeling of helplessness, like we are just stuck. So when you feel helpless, there’s no hope of things getting a little better. That is really tough,” Dewhurst explained.
Some People Feeling On Edge
She said she is seeing a lot of anxiety and depression in her private practice. She said many of her patients started feeling on edge months ago.
“I was booked Election Day non-stop with people who were just so upset about everything. You know, we’re in a very blue state,” Dewhurst said.
“Last week was particularly bad because it was the inauguration, and then that flurry of executive orders, so people were very concerned. Many of my patients have put most of their other stuff, other issues on pause because they need to talk about this. They need to express how they are feeling,” Dewhurst added.
Symptoms People May Experience
Olufunmilayo Sholola is a clinical social worker and therapist with the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at Adventist HealthCare in Rockville. She said it is common for individuals to feel a surge of stress, anxiety, and fear after a high-stress election.
She said some of the most common symptoms people may be experiencing include heightened anxiety, sleep problems, physical discomfort, mood shifts, heightened sensitivity to surroundings, and social avoidance.
“If you are feeling this way, you are not alone.Recognizing these reactions can be the first step in addressing them and finding healthy ways to cope,” Sholola said.
Dewhurst said people also may experience a lack of concentration, or forgetfulness. She said people feeling stressed may become short-tempered and jittery. If anxiety morphs into depression, some people may not want to engage in activities they enjoy, or they may want to isolate and stay in bed all day.
“People may have ruminating thoughts that they just can’t turn off. Then, they can start to feel physical ailments such as headaches, jaw clenching, stomachaches,” Dewhurst said.
Addressing Stress And Anxiety
Both Dewhurst and Sholola say there are steps people can take to try to alleviate their symptoms.
Sholola said one of the first steps people should take is to acknowledge their feelings.
“Recognizing anxiety as a normal reaction to stress or uncertainty is the first step. Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling without judgment,” Sholola said.
“When life feels overwhelming, shift your energy toward what’s within your control. Small, meaningful actions such as practicing self-care or getting involved in your community can make a big difference,” she added.
Dewhurst advises people feeling anxious or scared during this time to step away from social media.
“Monitor how much news you take in and how you take that information in. For some people, that means staying away from the television because you hear it and see it at the same time. Instead you might be better off looking for information online in short bursts. You can control how much you read and how much you know. Some people have an obsessive need to know everything. Sometimes that helps them, sometimes it does not,” Dewhurst explained.
Self-Care Is Important
Sholola also recommends people practice mindfulness. They could include deep breathing, or meditation. She said those are excellent tools for calming the mind and reducing anxiety.
“Find what works best for you and make it part of your routine. Lean on friends, family, or trusted professionals for support. A conversation with someone who listens and understands can be incredibly comforting,” Sholola said.
Dewhurst and Sholola agree that it is important people take care of their bodies when they feel anxious or scared. That includes exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of sleep.
They say if the anxiety becomes overwhelming or persistent, then it may be time to seek out professional help.
“Speaking with a therapist or counselor can provide valuable tools and guidance to cope,” Sholola said.
Uncertainty Causing More Stress
Dewhurst said several students she has talked with from the immigrant community are feeling scared.
“They’re not sure what is going to happen. Uncertainty is really hard to deal with. If you know something, and it’s a bad thing, you can sort of make a plan and deal with it. You can’t make a plan for the unknown,” Dewhurst said.
Finding Other Ways To Cope
Sholola advises people who may be feeling hopeless to channel their energies and get involved in something meaningful.
“Volunteering, advocacy, or supporting a cause you care about can be empowering and help turn stress into purpose,” she said.
Sholola said these and other strategies can help create a healthier, and more balanced approach to managing anxiety during these challenging times.
