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Presidential election 2008: 19 days to go: Election, talk shows can cause mental stress: psychiatrist

Individuals with a history of mental disorder and others susceptible to being affected by the upcoming presidential election should avoid getting involved in politics or watching political talk shows, a psychiatrist said yesterday amid a rise in the number of patients seeking counseling prior to the March 22 presidential election.

Noting that an increasing number of people -- mainly mental patients -- were seeking treatment for anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder caused by their involvement in the election, Liu Tzong-hsien (劉宗憲), a psychiatrist at Taipei City Hospital's Songde branch, said patients should reduce their level of participation in political activities.

The Songde branch is the only municipal psychiatric hospital in Taipei City, providing care for the 6.8 million people in northern Taiwan with 500 beds, of which 409 are for acute psychosis and 91 for chronic patients.

"Should patients become too involved in politics, they could be easily influenced by any change, such as fluctuations in the support rate of their favorite candidate," Liu said, adding that "this would certainly cause deterioration in the patient's condition."

EFFECTS

Liu said that patients who are also vulnerable to the sensationalism, distortion and smearing by politicians and so-called pundits on TV talk shows, "should keep such programs at arm's length."

Liu said that families could also suffer from the strain, as family members often have different views on politics.

"Families should organize more activities instead of engaging in disputes and arguments over the election that often turn to hostility," Liu said.

OTHER RISKS

Hsu Chuan-jen (許權振), director of the Department of Otolaryngology at National Taiwan University Hospital, also urged political animals to remain aware of their physical condition when participating in political activities.

"Loud noise, high volume and loud shouting endanger our health, especially that of the throat and ears," Hsu said, adding that "people should keep away from loudspeakers or horns and wear earplugs to protect themselves."
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