Published: 12 November, 2008, 10:24
Edited: 12 November, 2008, 10:24
With the election done and dusted, many Americans say the zing has gone out of their lives. For 18 months they followed every twist and turn of an historically long campaign. Now that it’s over, and Obama is poised to take over, they say they are bored a
Psychologist Rosalyn Dorlan said the mental state of the electorate “is similar to that of some men who were used to worrying about their pregnant wives for 9 months and when the child was finally born they felt confused because the 'subject' of their concern had been 'divided'.”
The intensity with which people followed the campaign led to what she called “election dependence”.
Appearing on CNN to discuss the matter, Dorlan gave an example of “election dependence” using the case of one of her patients.
“Everyday, after waking up, the first thing I did was go to the computer to find out the latest news on the election campaign.” said patient David Kronemiller.
According to Dorlan, people are falling into depression and in some extreme cases even losing sleep and their appetite.
The job of the psychologist is now to force the patient to understand that life continues after the election.
Many in the mental health profession are advising those suffering from election withdrawal to focus on something else. The particularly recommend exercise or some rigorous activity.
Senior citizens who have fallen sick with “pre-election fever” are being advised to become more social by joining a club or picking up a new hobby.
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