Psychiatrists and a psychologist suggested that those who develop post-election stress, such as feeling overexcited, frustrated, depressed, disappointed and lost, could try focusing on things they can control, exercise and avoid news and the media, but that they should seek professional help if it affects their eating and sleeping habits.
Post-election stress is not a scientific diagnosis, but refers to stress caused by an election and its physical and mental impacts.
Lin Chu-chun (林竺君), a psychiatrist at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in New Taipei City, on Saturday said a study by the American Psychological Association suggests that people who are more invested in political issues, those who have more political associations and those who rely more on news media are more likely to have post-election stress, especially if their preferred candidate lost.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
When facing a result that does not measure up to their expectations, some might feel lost, sad, concerned, angry or irritated, and might even become violent, causing harm to themselves or others, she said.
They could try focusing more on what they can control, maintaining a routine lifestyle and work, and keeping contact with friends and family to reduce stress, Lin said, adding that they should avoid alcohol, drugs or non-prescription drugs to cope with stress.
Taipei Counseling Psychologists Association chairperson Lan Yi-feng (藍挹丰) said Taiwan has held several elections, so most people should have experience in adjusting their mental state after an election, properly relieving overly excited or depressed emotions, or they could seek professional assistance.
Those who are more interested in politics might have higher expectations for election results and their emotions might be more easily aroused, so they should take special care to not become overly excited if the result matches their expectation, as they might act impulsively when hyped up, she said.
Election results are a demonstration of a democratic society, but they are only temporary, meaning people do not need to stress themselves about winning or losing, as living their life well is more important, Lan said.
If they cannot calm down after a period of time, they could seek professional help to assess how much the result has affected their physical and mental condition, as well as their daily life functioning and find a suitable treatment plan, she added.
Psychiatrist Yang Tsung-tsair (楊聰財) also recommends that people exercise or engage in recreational activities to maintain good mental health and stable emotions, avoid participating in political discussions and be selective about the news and social media they use, but that if they develop a sleeping disorder that lasts longer than one week, they should seek professional medical assistance.
‘DENIAL DEFENSE’: The US would increase its military presence with uncrewed ships, and submarines, while boosting defense in the Indo-Pacific, a Pete Hegseth memo said The US is reorienting its military strategy to focus primarily on deterring a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, a memo signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth showed. The memo also called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending. The document, known as the “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” was distributed this month and detailed the national defense plans of US President Donald Trump’s administration, an article in the Washington Post said on Saturday. It outlines how the US can prepare for a potential war with China and defend itself from threats in the “near abroad,” including Greenland and the Panama
The High Prosecutors’ Office yesterday withdrew an appeal against the acquittal of a former bank manager 22 years after his death, marking Taiwan’s first instance of prosecutors rendering posthumous justice to a wrongfully convicted defendant. Chu Ching-en (諸慶恩) — formerly a manager at the Taipei branch of BNP Paribas — was in 1999 accused by Weng Mao-chung (翁茂鍾), then-president of Chia Her Industrial Co, of forging a request for a fixed deposit of US$10 million by I-Hwa Industrial Co, a subsidiary of Chia Her, which was used as collateral. Chu was ruled not guilty in the first trial, but was found guilty
A wild live dugong was found in Taiwan for the first time in 88 years, after it was accidentally caught by a fisher’s net on Tuesday in Yilan County’s Fenniaolin (粉鳥林). This is the first sighting of the species in Taiwan since 1937, having already been considered “extinct” in the country and considered as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. A fisher surnamed Chen (陳) went to Fenniaolin to collect the fish in his netting, but instead caught a 3m long, 500kg dugong. The fisher released the animal back into the wild, not realizing it was an endangered species at
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and