Trump wasn't just an abnormal figure- Psychiatrists say his rhetoric

[Thtwudbeme]

caused real trauma.

I had so much anxiety listening to Trump, and seeing his odd followers. I am starting to feel it again now that these rallies and CPAC are starting back up again. This article in Salon nails it for me:

https://www.salon.com/2021/07/08/trump-wasnt-just-an-abnormal-figure--psychiatrists-say-his-rhetoric-caused-real-trauma/?fbclid=IwAR3Oh3Vu1Du4P5jY03lm6zbM5AqoDEVKFKYpF7i2q9dSDL-kWO1VBgyWMjs

[hlthe2b]

1. A daily stressor... No wonder so many are trying to tune out on politics (to our own detriment,

unfortunately)...

Remaining vigilant means remaining highly stressed for most.

[Walleye]

2. All the broken friendships and family relationships he caused. Makes me really sad

Life is too short for this kind of shit

[Thtwudbeme]

3. I lost a 35 year friendship over Jan. 6th

My friend got lost in "Q" theories- and would send me all this horrible stuff and weird youtube videos. He's agoraphobic so I know he wasn't at the Capital that day. It was terrifying and heartbreaking to watch him go down that rabbit hole- and there was no talking to him or helping him.

I am sure he thinks Trump is coming back somehow in August.

[patricia92243]

4. Best part:

"If you feel traumatized by Trump, this means your empathy and moral compass are still functioning," James said.

[multigraincracker]

5. I really felt it yesterday.

I'm ok most of the time but yesterday a pickup passed me with a big sign on the back that said "F*** Biden", not the moral majority.

[Thtwudbeme]

7. For me, it's watching those videos of

people at CPAC. I know, I need to stop watching them. Extremely upsetting- the video and running commentary on Caitlyn Jenner was so upsetting in several different ways.

[multigraincracker]

9. We are on day two of cutting the cable.

A lot less of political drama and more listing to my 50 year old stereo to classic rock. We just break out dancing every once in a while.

[Thtwudbeme]

11. That is smart-

I need to do the same.

[multigraincracker]

14. Kept the internet and still

saving over a hundred bucks a month.

[nwliberalkiwi]

17. Try this it's free

In a search type: Radio Garden
Thousands of radio stations all over the world, and its free!!!

[multigraincracker]

21. I have that on my phone.

Now, how do I play it on my analog, old time, tuner?
For now I listen to a college classic rock radio station.

[kentuck]

26. On your Internet.

For example:

http://radio.garden/visit/toulouse/f9pePS41

[multigraincracker]

27. All the inputs on my old tuner are RCA jacks.

Can't figure a way to input my computer to it.

[Elwood P Dowd]

37. Your computer has an audio out or headphone out.

Go on Amazon and find you a cheap audio cable with a single stereo mini plug on one end and two male RCA jacks on the other. Plug in the mini jack to the computer and the RCA jacks to an unused audio input on the back of your old stereo receiver (or integrated amp if you have separates). It could be an unused tape input or unused Aux input, just don't use the phono input because it's RIAA EQ will mess up a line level signal.

[ret5hd]

38. Google "usb to rca"

https://www.amazon.com/TCRAYCH-Capture-Converter-Digitize-Digital/dp/B08C9T5M37/ref=asc_df_B08C9T5M37/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459618435588&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17606324888659199405&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033027&hvtargid=pla-955019478210&psc=1

[multigraincracker]

42. That might work.

Do they make a firewire out put into RCA?. I could use my phone. My computer is pretty far away. I do have an android tablet, have to see what kind of in/out connector it has.

[Elwood P Dowd]

43. My tablet has a headphone out mini jack. I've used it many times hooked up to the back of a receiver

with the unused Aux In to play internet radio stations through the stereo. You could also buy a bluetooth adaptor for your old receiver and send music to it that way from the computer or tablet.

[multigraincracker]

44. Sounds like just the ticket.

Thanks.

[babydollhead]

49. Radio Garden is GREAT

just click on any green dot on planet earth, and you can listen to music in South America, all over Africa, zip up to Finland and out on the tiny islands. Such a great experience

[twodogsbarking]

25. I agree.

[samnsara]

6. i feel like im standing on the edge of a cliff every single day...our lead is so thin

...and Mazie K. Hirono has stage 3 or 4 kidney cancer Lets hope the other manchin and kirsten get their shit together very soon.

[PatSeg]

30. Oh no, I didn't know that about Hirono

That is so sad.

[ariadne0614]

8. The understanding that I am not alone is a small comfort. n/t

Still, I'm glad to see the details in black & white. Bookmarked for future reference.

[Thtwudbeme]

10. Same

It's horrible. I don't want to live around these people. I had someone on my neighborhood FB page try to mansplain that he flies the Confederate flag because "they" fought for the true intentions of the founding fathers.

I am 7th generation North Carolinian. I know damn good and well what "they" were fighting for. My stories of that war are second hand from my grandfather (long gone) who knew some of the veteran's in my family.

I blocked that clown immediately.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

12. The first time I ever saw his face on TV for 30 seconds,

just in passing, I was traumatized.

He emanates profound, pure evil. Completely devoid of love, kindness, and compassion. He should be locked up in a maximum security asylum for criminal psychopaths, because he is a threat to not just every human, but all life on our planet as well.

Every day that he roams free, more damage to the world is done.

[smirkymonkey]

13. +1000

[yardwork]

15. I heard 5 minutes of Sean Hannity on Fox recently.

His words were disturbing. I can't imagine listening to Fox all day. It is literal propaganda designed to frighten and anger listeners.

[New Breed Leader]

16. I thought once he was gone we'd be ok

but trumpism is alive and well with him gone and it's coming to destroy democracy and I'm scared to death.

[Thtwudbeme]

19. That's how I am starting to feel

I am getting pretty angry that I have to worry about those jackwits both in terms of what they will do to people they don't like (non-caucasions, non-heteros, non-christians), how they will affect our public education institutions, and healthcare.

So yes- I am scared.

[marble falls]

20. Do you really believe that? He'll look good when he's indicted around October.

[New Breed Leader]

35. that's about the only thing that will stop him

being indicted.

but it still won't stop all that trumpists in red states . voter suppression is OFF the charts

[slightlv]

18. Thank you all for your honesty...

I am SOOOO glad I'm not alone in feeling this way! I'm 65 and I've never been so scared in my life. I've got a Trumper across the alley who desperately needs anger management classes. Problem is, I probably need them, too. I can fly off the handle at the least little thing, and anything is just "one thing to many" for my mind to deal with. I've not been like this before. For Pete's Sake, the first doc's appt after *rump took office, the doc put me on blood pressure medicine! Never needed that before, either.

I think we're all suffering PTSD. I'm not Christian, and I honestly have never wanted to see God strike someone dead like I do this evilness. Almost makes me believe in Revelation as a now-time prophecy, with *rump as the anti-Christ. He and his followers are sure fulfilling the prophecies! Maybe that's why so many good people are dying; they're being "raptured." Wouldn't THAT explode some of his cultists' heads!

[Scottie Mom]

39. You hit a cord with me.

I am a long time opponent of the death penalty. I’m in my 70s. And I admitted to myself that if Trump was sentenced to death for his crimes against our nation, not only would I not oppose the sentence, I would have no problem pulling the switch.

I am horrified feeling this way, but I fully admit that I do.

[kentuck]

22. They have tagged him.

(snip)
James elaborated on how Trump is so effective at hurting people.

"Trump is widely regarded as a malignant narcissist; twisting the truth, gaslighting and bullying," James explained. "Trump uses DARVO - a blame-shifting strategy used by abusers including narcissists: 1. Deny 2. Attack 3. Reverse Victim & Offender. He used it against 20 women who accused him of sexual assault. He's also used it to claim the Democrats were trying to steal the election he won by a landslide."

[rickford66]

23. The Whack-A-Mole Party will not die easily or ever.

WTF is a conservative Democrat ? Gimmie a break. WTF is a middle-of-the-road Democrat ? Who are these Democrats anyway ? Paid-for roadblocks to keep the wealthy and powerful, wealthy and powerful. The average American must be convinced to vote in their own interests. I remain in the endless struggle.

[twodogsbarking]

24. Great perspective.

[czarjak]

28. Sleep deprivation from waking up giggling at his nonsense.

[Bo Zarts]

29. Trump is the Anti-Christ, IMO

I am an agnostic bordering on atheist (very fuzzy line there). I don't believe in Biblical prophecies. However, I think the men and women who wrote the Bible were aware, as we all are, that from time over the ages - and now - truly evil people were born, and ascended to power on the earth. Let's say Jim Jones on a very small scale, Donald Trump on a large scale, and Adolf Hitler on a grand scale. However, that is open-ended. Trump might end up worse than Hitler before this fucking nightmare is over.

I can't watch TV news anymore, because of the coverage of Trump, his family, and his crazy cultists. I can't even watch my old MSNBC regulars.

I harbor a resentment and hate that is unhealty. I have thoughts and wishes against all of them that I dare not speak: Trump, his evil spawn, his sychophantic desciples, and his crazy mob. I am sick. I am recovering from a very bad surgery, and I have serious pain issues. If Trump were to die today (of natural causes, preferably), I would heal quicker. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Do I hear an Amen?

[unweird]

33. Amen, Brother Rat

Let it be

[mnhtnbb]

34. Amen!

I'm right there with you imagining what justice would entail for Trump, his family, and the cowardly Republican sycophants who have enabled him.

[Elessar Zappa]

31. I know it's hard but

try and tune him out. You can follow the news without exposing yourself to his hateful rallies and rhetoric. Also, turn to nature to balance out the evil in the world. Go on regular hikes or start gardening, anything to get you to focus on the beauty of life.

[KentuckyWoman]

32. HE is not the problem. Merely a symptom.

The problem is a much deeper issue in American society that has to be resolved. It is the same trouble other countries have when a small group wants to force their way on everyone else.

The wealthiest have used every trick to keep workers fighting each other.... and here we are.

The idiots that follow him are only partially the problem. They are victims to a degree. Brainwashed by the wealthy who run the information outlets. Until we we deal with that ... the trouble will simply keep getting worse. The next voice to rise to the top will make Trump look sane.... if we don't deal with it.

[Yavin4]

36. Putin would say...

Trump was an overwhelming success.

Putin's goal is to sow distrust and anxiety into the American people.

[msfiddlestix]

40. I cut the cable about a decade ago, but I streamed MSNBC on Sling until a couple of months ago

I recall how one night I first started tuning out Rachael, who I watched just about every evening for the entire duration of the psychotic occupying the white house. My routine was, I would watch Joy Reid, skip Chris Hayes and tune into Rachael.

I tended to put up with the constant repetition/looping of statements she made at the opening segment over and over and over again until she'd finally get to the damn point. But sometime around all of the outrageous audits in AZ and the shenanigans in Georgia, whih was already overwhelming and granted, worthy of reporting new developments, but not starting from the beginning each and every night.

What I think I couldn't take anymore, were the news regarding NY Prosecutors potential indictments looming large with 'gonna happen any day now' reports, which finally I just couldn't take anymore. I started tuning her out, and then decided I couldn't watch or listen to any of the other shows altogether. Although, I have to say I do miss L.O. and B.W and Joy. However I canceled Sling and no longer have access to live MSNBC broadcasting. It's just not worth the cost financially or mentally.

I come to DU and skim the headlines, skim General OP's and that's how I gauge what's important to consume. Otherwise, I've been making up for a lot of lost time and energy directing my focus strictly to wood-shedding. and practicing my music. And of course engage in other domestic and social stuff with neighbors friends and family.

Tuning it all out as far as broadcast media goes. It's really done wonders for my mental health. plus I'm exercising more.

[Jedi Guy]

41. This is probably going to draw a lot of flame, but oh well...

Seems like a lot of folks let Trump live in their heads rent-free. If you feel "traumatized" when you see Trump, a Trump flag/sign, or a "Fuck Biden" flag/sign... well, I don't really know what to tell you. Feeling pissed off is one thing, feeling "traumatized" is another; it's letting him get under your skin, which is exactly what he wants. He craves that reaction. So don't give it to him. He's a parasite who thrives on your attention, and your attention is yours to give or withhold as you see fit.

Like it or not, this is our society now, and Trump supporters are part of it. Just like their idiotic idol, giving them the reaction is giving them exactly what they want. Why do you think they giggle and crow about "triggering" people and "owning the libs"? Tell them to fuck off, then just ignore them. Or better yet, just ignore them from the start. It's a game where the only winning move is not to play, so don't engage with their horseshit. It's reactions like these that gave rise to the "triggered liberal snowflake" bullshit they like to fling at people.

Unless you completely withdraw to an echo chamber composed of only those who agree with you, you're going to have to acknowledge and deal with people who disagree with your views, and in some cases theirs will be diametrically opposed to your own. That's how it goes living in a free society. Withdrawing into echo chambers is part of what got us into this mess, and it seems like that's kind of what these psychiatrists are advocating with the advice to "find your tribe." That's a bit concerning to me, but that's another topic altogether.

[roamer65]

45. Fascism causes HUGE trauma.

Ask Europe. Ask Japan, Ask Argentina, Ask Chile, Ask Brazil, Ask...

[Texaswitchy]

46. I use CBD pills

I stay nice and calm.

Trump will not stress me out.

[Blue Owl]

47. K&R

[sarcasmo]

48. 4 years worth of Trauma.

[Grasswire2]

50. Those of us who had ever been in a partnership with a pathological narcissist...

...were triggered daily by Trump. Still are. We know what comes after the red face and the rage. We feel it when Trump talks; it seeps into our everyday life.

Personally, it affected my blood pressure to a degree that I was sent to the ER more than a few times and fought the repressed trauma daily.

Only recently has it improved -- I started taking ashwagandha -- a supplement 3,000 years old that helps a person adapt to stress. I am now OFF my main blood pressure med, only taking a diuretic and a mild beta blocker.

[Tree Lady]

51. I felt like he was the bully of us all

And his followers were like the bullies friends those were like him and same way or those afraid of him and going along.

The rest of us traumatized daily, fearful, angry, feeling a lack of control.