I struggle with an anxiety disorder, which means I tend to obsess over things that may seem trivial to others. I fret about my laugh sounding silly or whether I’m bothering people with my messages. My worries range from significant issues, like my appearance and weight, to smaller, persistent thoughts, such as if my dog feels I love him enough. Despite taking various medications, my anxiety often rears its head, causing me to shake, sweat, and struggle to sleep.
Then, I stumbled upon a fantastic coping mechanism. It was inspired by a post from JamieRoses, a survivor of an eating disorder, on Tumblr.
Oh my goodness! It was so simple yet profound. This could change the landscape of mental health tools. Naturally, I had to give it a shot.
Shortly after discovering JamieRoses’ post, I found myself looking in the mirror after getting dressed. “I despise my body,” I thought. But then I paused and imagined those words coming from Donald Trump’s voice. I responded, “Screw you, Donald Trump.” Just like that, I felt an unexpected surge of empowerment.
I continued to use this technique. When I lay beside my husband, I thought, “Ugh, my stomach looks awful.” I recognized this negativity and played it back in Trump’s voice. Then I retorted, “You’re not my president, you orange-tinted tyrant.”
Surprisingly, this approach didn’t help with vague feelings of anxiety. Telling Trump to go away wasn’t effective against those intangible worries that loom over me. It felt more like he was mocking me rather than retreating. For those sensations of dread, I still rely on my prescribed Xanax; it does wonders.
However, venting to Trump about my personal negative thoughts? That was a game-changer. Seriously, give it a try.
As my kids snuggled around me at bedtime, I thought, “I’m going to ruin their lives with my issues.” I recognized that thought, transformed it into Trump’s voice, and exclaimed, “Take a hike, you ignorant, sociopathic bully!” The relief was immediate. I hugged my kids and kissed them goodnight, feeling fiercely empowered.
I did this repeatedly—when I worried about finishing a book review, about messaging my editor too much, or whether I was giving my children enough affection. I even imagined crafting new insults for the man who, unfortunately, occupies the highest office in the land.
I briefly considered complimenting myself in Barack Obama’s voice, but caught myself in time. Overall, this technique helped me shake off negativity faster than usual, making it affect me far less.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise. The idea of using Trump as a target for our frustrations resembles the Teflon Mind concept from dialectical behavioral therapy. In Teflon Mind, negative thoughts glide over you like clouds, not sticking to your psyche. It also aligns with cognitive behavioral techniques that encourage recognizing and resisting negative thoughts. Therapists agree: directing your ire at Donald Trump and telling him to f*ck off can indeed have therapeutic value. In other words, it really works.
Who better to channel our frustrations at? My friend Sarah aptly describes Trump as the Id of America come to life.
Of course, I’m not tossing my anxiety meds aside or dismissing the guidance of my healthcare providers. I still rely on them. This isn’t a miracle solution, but if I consistently practice this method, it could yield positive results for my mental health.
I never thought I’d say this, but thank you, Donald Trump. And by the way, screw your wall and your divisive policies.
This article was originally published on April 3, 2017.
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Summary:
This article explores a novel coping mechanism for anxiety, inspired by a social media post. By channeling negative self-talk through the voice of Donald Trump, the author finds empowerment and relief from personal insecurities. While this method is not a replacement for medication or professional help, it offers a unique approach to managing negative thoughts and emotions.
Keyphrase: Coping Strategy for Anxiety
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