Angelenos Coping With Election Anxiety
Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses that lead to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry according to Medical News Today. The 2020 presidential election has been the strangest and most stressful election for many Angelenos. Times are very uncertain after everything that has happened this year. It’s been two days since election day and we still don’t have results or the name of the next president for the upcoming 4 years. The country is divided right now. Uncertainty is normal, anxiety among many, is even more. People who voted, those who didn’t but still follow the election process, those politics fans at heart, and everyone else want and need a conclusion to the votes because our future is at stake. My classmates and I also want answers. That is why we went out as citizen journalists to survey Angelenos about how they feel during this election period. Anxious, excited, afraid, or don’t really care? All types of answers. We asked the L.A population what concerns are they experiencing and why? And how are they staying sane with everything that has happened before, during, and after election day.
Estephany Garcia
“I’m feeling anxious and devastated by the current results. Although nothing is set yet, it worries me how anything can really happen at this point. States that are currently red can flip to blue and that gives hope that adds to my anxiety.”
“I’ve been staying sane by thinking positive and hoping for the best outcome in favor of Biden.”
Kimberly Garcia
“I’m feeling very anxious. I feel like we’re all sitting ducks waiting to see what happens. I told myself I would stay away from the TV because we won’t have an answer tonight anyways but you can’t help but look. Watching is just adding to my anxiety but I need to know!!”
“I’ve been staying sane by telling myself that nothing is concrete yet. So there is no point in stressing until a decision is made.”
Without surveying or interviewing him, Sam White has answered my questions about election anxiety and everything related. He’s been covering the 2020 election as a citizen journalist on his Instagram account because he’s such a politics fan. He openly supports Joe Biden. I found him on social media when he coincidentally shared an IGTV video talking about the same topic as the people who replied to my survey/poll. White has been keeping his followers well informed with all the updates. He has also been encouraging his audience that’s been struggling with anxiety, to take deep breaths, relax and wait patiently for the results like the rest of us. He says he knows people are stressed, scared, and angry “but we know this is the America that exists.” He also said it was told ahead of time that results wouldn’t be called on election night, that it was going to take time. “There are reasons to be hopeful for a positive outcome. So try not to engage in social media nonsense or arguments with others. Try to focus on what we’re able to control, protect our peace of mind and those of others.” - Sam White.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHLKpwABL6-/?igshid=g909p8e98vi7
