Avid politics watchers should keep their self-worth separate from political outcomes to avoid post-election blues, Taiwanese psychiatrists said on Saturday, amid the nation’s largest campaign to recall lawmakers.
All 24 Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers survived the recall votes on Saturday, with another seven legislators facing recall bids on Aug. 23.
Political activities, such as recalls, could be stressful for some people, especially in the aftermath of a campaign, Tri-Service General Hospital psychiatry department physician Yeh Chi-pin (葉?斌) said.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
Voting results do not affect most people’s moods, but those with mental illnesses or who are stressed could be susceptible to negative emotions due to politics, he said.
People who find themselves negatively affected could remind themselves that politics is just one aspect of life, and not allow it to interfere with their day-to-day, he said.
Families being strained by political friction should make a collective effort to respect boundaries and differences in opinion, Yeh said.
The recalls had been a long process involving multiple petition stages and finally the vote, leading to increased strain on the mentally vulnerable, Taoyuan Psychiatric Center deputy superintendent Lee Chun-hung (李俊宏) said.
People troubled by election results should take a mental health break from social media or other high-tension environments to get their wind back, he said.
“The success or failure of the recall votes should not be tied to one’s sense of self-worth,” he said, adding that self-blame for an undesirable outcome could lead to feelings of guilt or loss in confidence.
Democracy is participatory and being engaged should be a reward unto itself, Lee added.
Echoing Yeh’s remarks, Lee said people should listen more, judge less and establish clear boundaries when dealing with people who have different political opinions.
Reinforcing a sense of control over one’s life through sports, hobbies and positive interactions with friends and family could help reduce election related anxieties or fears, he said.
People who experience persistent insomnia, melancholy or lack of appetite that affect their quality of life should seek help from medical professionals, he added.
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