Leading psychiatrist urges people to take steps to manage ‘election stress disorder’
Date: 14th June 2024
A leading Priory psychiatrist has urged people to be aware of the impact of ‘election stress disorder’ and take steps to stay healthy leading up to the UK general election on 4 July.
Dr Sheethal Rajashanker, a consultant psychiatrist based at Priory Hospital Cheadle Royal in Cheshire, said increased anxiety surrounding political events and the outcome of an election was “common and understandable”.
But she warned that, for some individuals, the period of political uncertainty caused by the clamour to win votes can have a “significant impact” on a person’s daily ability to function and their mental health.
“Election-related anxiety is a common and understandable response to the uncertainty and heightened emotions surrounding political events,” she explained.
“It is normal for individuals to experience anxiety, stress, and worry about the outcome of an election, particularly when it involves important issues that directly impact their lives – something increasingly referred to as ‘election stress disorder’.
“While it is important to acknowledge and validate these feelings as they are a natural response to the current political climate, it essential people take simple steps to manage and cope with their stresses and anxieties at this time as it can have a significant impact on their mental health.”
Dr Rajashanker advised anyone experiencing increased anxiety since the start of the election campaign to limit exposure to news and social media, engage in hobbies and activities, seek support from friends and loved ones and try relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or deep breathing.
“It is important people who are feeling the weight of heavy political discussion and debate to manage this or they risk facing difficulties in normal daily functioning and a deterioration in their mental health.
“The positive thing is that some small changes and additions to daily routines, such as setting time limits for social media usage, allocating certain amounts of time each day to check social media and unfollowing or muting political accounts.
“Combined with seeking reputable news sources and non-partisan outlets and websites, this will help to reduce election-related content and ensure there is some balance to the sources of information.”
Dr Rajashanker also urged people to make an effort to take time away from screens by exercising, reading or taking up existing or new hobbies, as well as making dedicated time for mindfulness or deep breathing.
She said: “We can never underestimate the positive impact of exercise, reading, mindfulness and deep breathing techniques as ways to de-stress and refresh the mind, so these are all must dos alongside other hobbies people find take their mind off of negative news and debate.
“It is also important to talk to friends and family about anxieties and, where they are increased by political discussion, ask that they respect differing views or avoid political discussion if it is causing distress.”
She added: “If election stress is significantly impacting a person's daily functioning or mental health, it is important to remember that it is ok to seek help and prioritise mental wellbeing during this stressful time.”
ENDS
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About Priory and MEDIAN Group
Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.
Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 290 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 20,000 beds caring for around 250,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 15 facilities and 2,100 beds caring for 11,000 people in Spain, with more than 29,000 employees across the group.