Help me, fellow DU'ers

I am paralyzed right now. I can do nothing but lie in bed and aimlessly surf the Web only half reading it. I can't describe this feeling, how horrible it is. The feeling of utter hopelessness, despair, and fear. Utter and total fear. I'm incapable of doing anything else. Go out? I barely have the strength to stand up. And the more time passes and hope fades, the worse it gets. How do I snap out of this depression? I have to find a way to live my life.

Don't bother posting if you're going to wag a finger at me for being too negative. I'm looking for words of support and encouragement, not a lecture.

I never expected it to be quite this bad.

What surprises and depresses me the most is how big the margin in FL was...that and not knowing exactly if the vote there was even fair.

Then there's the senate...Dems lost almost every competetive race. I was hoping for at least one. Nope. Even Daschle looks like he's lost.

It's going to a tough couple weeks. I will not even be in the vicinity of any network or cable news station. I'm thinkin of having a complete news blackout altogether.

All in all, it's a huge disappointment. It's been a real bad two election cycles for dems. I was dreading the idea of this becoming '02 again. Instead it feels worse.

I can only hope that there are enough provisional or absentee ballots to put Kerry over the top in OH but that would be a miracle.

Everybody talks about going to Canada or other places, but i don't know how i'd survive elsewhere.

But it looks like I'll be staying where I am.

I'm near paralyzed with shock and depression and can barely summon the energy to type. I think we'll all be able to think more clearly if we can get some rest. I know this is pretty lame advice, but it's all I can offer right now.

I'm all napped out now.

the world will somehow manage to survive with the pigs-in-clover in command, and look to yourself. Try any fucking thing whatsoever that has ever helped you with depression. If nothing has, the drill is as follows:
Exercise all you can stand
Read, watch or listen to anything that will make you laugh even once, or failing that, smile
Consider psychiatric help or psychological counseling
Read self-help books
Inhale. Exhale.
Get outside, preferably near flowing water. Negative ions are your friend.

I have a looooooong history as a total depressive. It never gets easier, but it's survivable. Best of luck.

I have a very long history too, but I don't seem to handle it as effectively as you do.

I can't seem to get off the computer or turn off the TV. Just hours ago I was so excited over how positive everything looked. For the past few months I've been so happy that we would finally get to prove that we had a voice, and get this hellion and his minions out of control. I feel like I'm in such a daze...living in such a conservative area, I've cringed every time I see those "vote dubya" stickers, and I try and comprehend how they can put that on their car. It has been getting harder and harder for me to not lose all my faith in my country. I used to be so proud of it...what happened? How did people become so ignorant and stupid as to not see what was happening? I feel helpless...like I can't do anything. I want to do everything though. So don't worry, you're not alone.

Your post reflected my opinions and views prefectly.

And get yourself over here. We need intelligent people. Your country doesn't seem to, so let's trade!

And will being part of the Norwegian diaspora (6 great grandparents came from there) be a factor in my favor? I'm wishing now my ancestors had just stayed put.

I'm only just now beginning to pull myself back together. What I finally had to do was to completely detach myself emotionally from the situation.

My position is that this nation has made a choice. It is now going to have to live with the consequences of that choice. I did everything that I could but it simply wasn't enough. In this new world, I will have to focus mainly on taking care of myself. I can't let GWB have my psyche.

For the long run, we are going to have to build a progressive movement from the bottom up. The RW did this and we are about 3 decades behind where they are.

This is probably the most important area to work on. More important than working to get specific Democrats elected. We must create a powerful and coordinated infrastructure and learn how to successfully market our ideas to the American public.

I'm sorry, I sort of got off on a tangent. I'm starting to get drunk. If you allow yourself too much emotional investment in the fate of this country right now, you will suffer and will not be able to contribute anything positive.

I was put on medicine for depression a few weeks back and if you want to know why look up my old posts from a couple of weeks ago. I take Ativans and they have helped me 100%. When I thought that my depression was gone he contacted me again and the pain started all over but worse. The election plus the pain from my ex-boyfriend coming out of the closet has made me feel like I want to give up on life altogether. :cry:

You need meds. they will help you. If you don't want to see a Doctor then you can order them on-line. :hug:

If you need someone to talk to talk to PM me :hug:

Look, this is a normal reaction to what's happening. The Ohio votes are not all in right now, keep telling yourself that. Keep telling yourself that Kerry has brilliant attorneys, and sign up to go to Ohio with Skinner or do something to help the ones who are going.

My husband is asleep right now, I don't want to wake him up because he's been up since 3 this morning. Tomorrow, though I'm going to suggest we give up our April vacation plans to Mulege & instead do this Ohio thing.

You've been hit below the belt & the winds knocked out of you, you need to get grounded, surround yourself with people or things that make you feel balanced and calm. Medication works, but it's not that easy. You have to find the right meds for you. sometimes this process takes awhile and you need the right kind of Doctor who will monitor you.

Meanwhile, if you can't sleep, get a script for some AMBIEN, because the sleep pattern is most important.

Drink lots of water.

Carry on, you can do it, you will do it, you're going to be okay.