Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 4. Source pages: 2.
In my outpatient practice in Houston, I have been confronted with many people who have been traumatized by the recent presidential election. The factions among patients in the office seem to mirror the factions seen at a national level.
I have never before in my 42 years of working with patients seen such an outpouring of distress over current events. I have never before seen people talk with such intensity and frequency about an election.
This has prompted me to wonder if we are encountering some new diagnostic categories. Most prominent would be “Trumpression” and “Trumpiety” reflecting the depression and anxiety being expressed by patients currently in response to the election of the new president.
One segment of the population seems to be suffering from Post Trump Stress Disorder, while another sector seems to be suffering from Post Clinton Stress Disorder, and all of us are suffering from Post Election Stress Disorder. Another pervasive disorder may be soon discovered and might be called Acute Information Overload Disorder.
[Editor’ Note: Letter edited for length.]
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