PTVS: Post traumatic veto syndrome? Counselor has tips

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Just as Juneau’s Bartlett Memorial Hospital offered counseling to locals after the election of Donald Trump in 2016, Alaska Public Media has done a story on how Alaskans can deal with the vetoes of 12.5 percent of the proposed Gov. Walker budget (7 percent of the actual spending in 2019).

[Read: Bartlett Hospital offers post-election counseling]

In an interview with reporter Casey Grove, licensed professional counselor Julie Shewman of Anchorage gave listeners advice on dealing with the stress, frustration, sadness, and anxiety.

“Simply put, the uncertainty over state politics and the cuts is getting to people,” Grove reported on Friday. He offered his interview with Shewman to provide counseling to “thousands of people on the radio all at once.”

Shewman said that a little bit of stress is usually manageable, but if stress gets to be too much, people go into the emotional side of their brains, and then into the fight-or-flight side of their brains, the “reptile” brain, if you will, where things are pretty primitive.

She said all of her colleagues in the therapy community have had an increase of clients with veto-related stress symptoms. Shewman acknowledged the fears and the sense of being threatened are real and said symptoms include irritability, insomnia and a general sense of being unsettled.

[Read Craig Medred: The whine critic]

The first tactic, she said, is to get off of social media, unbalanced news, and the various memes that are stirring people’s fears. Talk to friends and family instead, and realize that if you are losing your job, you have many options; maybe they weren’t the options you wanted, but there are options nonetheless.

“You have time to make adjustments to these changes,” she advised.

Listen to the interview in this short segment on Alaska Public Media.

6 COMMENTS

  1. The “reptile” brains seem to be prolific now days. The ‘whine’ factor is unbelievable. Maybe I can offer some “psychic”, fortune telling advise. I foresee many, without the rational mentality or ability to deal with reality, to be in need of PTVS ‘counseling’. Get another job (end of advise). Lots of people lose their jobs throughout their careers. Those that deal with it and move on, seem to be more and more rare. Instead, hate, fear, disgust, uncertainty, lack of ability/mentality, is moving many of the soon to be ex-public employees into a state of shock, instability, mental fragility and ineptitude. The counter to it is now being offered by Bartlett Hospital. Better get in line if you’re one of them. It may be an extended process to regain your, other than reptile, thought process. In the meantime, maybe enroll in AVTEC and learn a real profession. There are quite a few jobs in Alaska besides “public sector”. Of course, they might actually require physical exertion and a ‘can do’ attitude. Might not even be union. What better way to divert your thought process from the “reptilian” actions/activities now employed by many, in opposition to reality, and make an average living. At least you will be able to see the side of life faced by many Alaskans without public employee experience and other people’s money, except what you work for. That PFD could be more meaningful for you than you think. Working can be a rewarding experience and character builder.

  2. Shrinks gotta get it while they can. I’m guessing they don’t refer folks to the obvious, short of a Bill of Rights, politics rarely changes things overnight. But I’m guessing the shrinks gotta gin up some stuff to gin up business. I bet they don’t even think of themselves as rank capitalists.

  3. Pity the “Snowflakes” and hope they can find a “Safe Space” – hopefully in another State.

  4. Rare insight into the psychological frailty of public employees. But what the hey, it’s probably covered by their health plan or medicaid.

  5. RE-START BUDGET CUTS NOW FROM WHERE THE GOVERNOR SITS, NOW. REVERSE-CUTS…..1st START CUTS IN GOVT., PROVING BIG ENOUGH CUTS TO AK TAXPAYERS BEGINNING HERE 1STLY. REPTILIAN FACTOR DEFINATELY IS JUST AS MUCH MUNI AS STATE NEEDING CUTS. MUNI MENTALITY IS AS LOW AS IT COMES… NEXT TO STATE ?? TOO DAMN TRUE & DONE W/EM BOTH. CHECK OUT 825 L St. Bldg WE PAY FOR ALL 5 FLRS+.w/ONLY LESS THAN 1 FLR. w/VALUE OPEN FOR BUSINESS, & MANY ONLY SELECT DAYS & HOURS, SERIOUSLY GHOSTLY. SCATTERED BLDGS. ACROSS TOWN IN SAME SITUATION NEEDS DEMAND TO MOVE OUT OF EXORBORANT COSTS TO AK RESIDENTS, IMMEDIATELY DOWN-SIZE ONLY TO SPACE NECESSARY, AND ALL SUCH SPACE CHANGES BE MADE PUBLIC.

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