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PRIOR TO an election, there is a lot of activity. People, including candidates work long hours for weeks on the campaign trail and get little sleep. Hopes and expectations are high and both political parties expect to win, most people do not prepare for failure.
Then comes that night, the results are in. One party is declared the winner and another, the loser. In a flash, life changes for many. Hopes dashed. Dreams deferred. Money down the drain. Careers destroyed. That period after the results is often the most difficult. The leader of the losing party must make a concession speech. He or she must muster the courage, face the crowd and accept defeat. This is often a painful and tearful moment for many leaders.
Then there are thousands of party supporters who have to struggle with their emotions, disbelief, anger, disappointment and depression. These are among the most difficult hours for many people in politics - dealing with loss - and the many associated emotions are not easy for most people. The more resources we invest and the greater the expectation, the greater the likelihood one is going to be affected. No one loses and walks away with smiles.
The psychological reactions people display range from a sense of boredom after the hype of the campaign dies, to post-election blues as they deal with loss, and those with more at stake may experience depression for a long time.
Bereavement is another common experience which people experience as they grapple with their sense of loss. They will go through the stages of disbelief, anger, depression and, as time goes by, they will begin to bargain, but, eventually, they should accept the reality of loss.
Here are some healthy ways to deal with post-election disappointment and depression:
1: Accept the loss and deal with your emotions. Elections can be an emotional process for many individuals. A lot of relationships, dreams and hopes go down with losing. The anger, disappointment and anxiety are understandable. Dealing with failure and a sense of rejection is never easy. It is both normal and natural to have these feelings. When feelings of depression last longer than you expect seek professional help.
2: Don't engage in the blame game. Avoid blaming yourself after the elections. Do not personalise the loss; many times it is not about you the individual. Voters make choices for varying reasons.
3: It may not be a personal rejection. Losing candidates sometimes interpret loss as a personal rejection. This may not necessarily be so.
4: Pick up the pieces. Bring closure and move on. This can be the difficult part of the process but after the elections, it is important to process the loss and put closure to the process.
Many people work hard, they do things they are expected to do, yet they lose. But that is the reality; only one can win. Losing is not easy. The post-election despair and depression may feel like it will last forever, but remember time heals all wounds. People come back from election defeat every day.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ews/news1.html
Then comes that night, the results are in. One party is declared the winner and another, the loser. In a flash, life changes for many. Hopes dashed. Dreams deferred. Money down the drain. Careers destroyed. That period after the results is often the most difficult. The leader of the losing party must make a concession speech. He or she must muster the courage, face the crowd and accept defeat. This is often a painful and tearful moment for many leaders.
Then there are thousands of party supporters who have to struggle with their emotions, disbelief, anger, disappointment and depression. These are among the most difficult hours for many people in politics - dealing with loss - and the many associated emotions are not easy for most people. The more resources we invest and the greater the expectation, the greater the likelihood one is going to be affected. No one loses and walks away with smiles.
The psychological reactions people display range from a sense of boredom after the hype of the campaign dies, to post-election blues as they deal with loss, and those with more at stake may experience depression for a long time.
Bereavement is another common experience which people experience as they grapple with their sense of loss. They will go through the stages of disbelief, anger, depression and, as time goes by, they will begin to bargain, but, eventually, they should accept the reality of loss.
Here are some healthy ways to deal with post-election disappointment and depression:
1: Accept the loss and deal with your emotions. Elections can be an emotional process for many individuals. A lot of relationships, dreams and hopes go down with losing. The anger, disappointment and anxiety are understandable. Dealing with failure and a sense of rejection is never easy. It is both normal and natural to have these feelings. When feelings of depression last longer than you expect seek professional help.
2: Don't engage in the blame game. Avoid blaming yourself after the elections. Do not personalise the loss; many times it is not about you the individual. Voters make choices for varying reasons.
3: It may not be a personal rejection. Losing candidates sometimes interpret loss as a personal rejection. This may not necessarily be so.
4: Pick up the pieces. Bring closure and move on. This can be the difficult part of the process but after the elections, it is important to process the loss and put closure to the process.
Many people work hard, they do things they are expected to do, yet they lose. But that is the reality; only one can win. Losing is not easy. The post-election despair and depression may feel like it will last forever, but remember time heals all wounds. People come back from election defeat every day.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ews/news1.html
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