Anxiety, depression and levels of fear are on the rise, and many people are blaming it on politics.
For the last several weeks, many voters have been on the edge of their seats, inundated with political news. It's been all over social media feeds and on television. Former President Trump was shot at a rally, and President Joe Biden announced he was getting out of the race, declaring democracy is at stake. Vice President Kamala Harris announced she was running and has surged in many of the polls. It's creating political stress for many people, and doctors confirm it's real.
Chavante Spears of Fort Myers admitted politics was creating anxiety for her, and she doesn’t see it improving.
“It is going to get worse. The closer we get to election day it is going to get worse,” Spears predicted.
Brittney Burg of Fort Myers said she does not watch the news solely because it gives her anxiety.
The American Psychiatric Association said nearly 75% of U.S. adults say the election is making them anxious.
Burg said she doesn’t need to look very far to understand why.
“I have family members who constantly have the news and it seems like all they can talk about because it's all that is getting in their heads,” Burg said.
It can often make its way to social media in the form of nasty posts.
Mental Health Counselor Dr. Laura Streyffeler said she sees both sides fueled with hatred and bullying on social media.
“If you don't believe what I believe, then you're wrong, terrible and the enemy,” Streyffeler said, describing the mood on social media.
She warned that the toxic behaviors can become harmful.
“Instead of talking to somebody and processing it, they just vomit it harshly on other people, and I think it's disrespectful and it's dangerous,” Streyffeler said.
Nurse Practitioner Dr. Sue Hook, who runs the Samaritan Health and Wellness Clinic, warned that the stress can have physical consequences for people.
“It can also affect our physical well-being. High blood pressure. Chest pain. Shortness of breath. Panic attacks,” Hook said.
When asked what people should do to get the stress under control, Hook suggested turning it all off for a while.
“Get outside. It's hot out, but walk and sweat off some of this anxiety,” Hook said.
She said not dealing with the stress could have dire consequences for more people than many might think.
“Anger and mean posts and mean verbal comments and everything going on, it hurts you in your soul,” Hook said.
The experts agree the best advice is to unplug from social media and TV for a while. They suggest more relaxation in a peaceful place with a book or some soft music.