Even the politically apathetic suffer! Doctors reveal the 10 major signs of "Election Syndrome": severe symptoms may cause myocardial disease
The 2024 presidential election and legislative elections are in full swing, and relevant information has occupied a large part of the lives of Taiwanese people. When the election ends, the result will inevitably be some happy and some sad. At this time, in addition to the candidates, people are also prone to physical and psychological conditions, such as anxiety, irritability, depression, etc. Dr. Lin Zhujun, a psychiatrist at Yadong Hospital, reminds the public to pay attention to whether they have “election syndrome.”
Why does “election syndrome” appear? Is the main reason related to political commentaries and celebrities inciting emotions?
“Election Syndrome” is not an official psychiatric diagnosis. It refers to the stress caused by “election” and its various effects on the physical and mental state. Before an election, people usually have their own political stances, are often in a state of excitement and enthusiasm, and are full of expectations for the election results; however, some people have already developed physical and mental symptoms at this time; after the election, people are faced with results that are not as expected, There may be reactions such as loss, sadness, worry, even anger and agitation, and sometimes violence, causing harm to oneself and others.
During the election process, some people may invest a lot of energy, and their stress is reflected in their physical or psychological state. In addition to actively participating groups, the general public will still be affected by the “pressure” surrounding elections. For example, the media continues to report on polls, corruption cases, etc.; political commentators or candidates use catastrophizing and inflammatory remarks to intensify the election situation, which may also make voters uneasy.
Relatives and friends enthusiastically discuss their views on the candidates, making the political atmosphere ubiquitous; some people are concerned about the future development of the country and closely follow the latest developments in public issues. All of the above situations may make us, non-candidates, unable to escape the pressure of elections, leading to the emergence of “election syndrome”.
Are even politically apathetic people susceptible to this? What are the symptoms of “election syndrome”?
Dr. Lin Zhujun pointed out that during the election craze, everyone may suffer from election syndrome. Research related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election by the American Psychological Association pointed out that more than two-thirds of adults said that the election was an important source of stress for them. People who are more deeply involved in political issues, who are more politically relevant, who rely more on the news media, and who support candidates who are not elected are more likely to develop electoral syndrome.
Of note, patients with previous or current psychiatric diagnoses were also more likely to be affected. Other research points out that even young people who are considered politically apathetic may also be affected by the election and suffer psychological distress.
Before the election, people’s depression and anxiety levels gradually increase. Clinically, patients with physical and mental discomfort caused by the election are often seen, but they usually gradually subside after the election. Studies have shown that the anxiety and depression caused by the 2020 U.S. presidential election even exceeded the 2019 coronavirus epidemic. Common symptoms of election syndrome include anxiety, depression, inattention, irritability, abnormal excitement, fatigue, insomnia, changes in appetite, feelings of hopelessness, or physical discomfort without an obvious cause.
Could electoral syndrome cause cardiomyopathy? Medical advice: Learn the “8 major mental techniques” to stay away from harm
Dr. Lin Zhujun reminded that there is a clinical “broken heart syndrome”, which is mainly caused by the body experiencing extreme changes in emotions and stress, producing excessive excitatory endocrine hormones, causing the heart to be unable to load, that is, stress caused by stress affecting cardiovascular function. Myocardial disease may be life-threatening in severe cases. Therefore, people may wish to learn the following “eight tips” to stay away from the harm caused by election syndrome:
Increase the sense of controllability in life, focus on things you can control, and maintain a regular life and work.
Before election day arrives, do not overly and repeatedly speculate on possible adverse outcomes.
Reduce the time you spend on the media and do not over-view or read relevant information.
If you encounter an election-related conversation, don’t try to convince someone who has a different point of view than your own, and practice ending the conversation with simple words.
Engage in things that are good for you, such as stress-relieving activities, or turn stress into meaningful activities, such as planning a vote.
Stay in touch with family and friends.
Stay active and reduce stress through exercise.
Avoid using alcohol, drugs, or non-prescribed medications to deal with stress.
When people actively participate in civil politics and care about elections, they should also pay attention to their own physical and mental changes. If the above methods still cannot relieve the discomfort, it is recommended to seek professional help. Dr. Lin Zhujun pointed out that seeking help may require overcoming some psychological thresholds, so mustering up courage and getting encouragement from relatives and friends is an important step. Facing one’s own problems and seeking solutions is the key to relieving physical and mental discomfort. Psychiatrists can provide assistance by assessing the impact on physical and mental status and life functions, and provide treatment plans, including cognitive adjustment, psychological health education, and drug treatment when necessary.
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