I think I'm going to need psychological help and I wasn't even in NO.

[Miss Chybil]

This is too much. The insanity of it all is driving me insane. Somebody help give me some perspective.

[wake.up.america]

1. Those who are insane are those are aren't going insane about...

the insanity of it all.

[Generic Other]

2. Would it help if another nutcase joins you?

You have been looking at too many FEMA screw-ups. It would make anyone crazy.

[anarchy1999]

32. That makes 3 certified.

I'm having a heck of a time with it all. My ADD is out of control, usually I manage it okay.

[TexanDem]

3. There is no other perspective. It IS insane

[SeattleGirl]

4. What you're feeling is not unusual.

Even people who aren't directly involved can have all kinds of feelings: pain, dispair, anger, hopelessness, helplessness, etc. I don't think you are going insane; I think you are having a very normal, very human response to this. I cannot tell you how many tears I have shed, how many burst of anger I have had, over all of this. I feel impotent, hopeless, helpless sometimes myself. It really is normal.

If you are really feeling bad, you might want to talk to somebody. After 9/11, I had an appointment with my therapist and that's all I talked about. It helped so much. If you don't want to go see someone, there are helplines you can call. Just look in the blue pages of your phone book, or do an online search.

Take care of yourself, Miss Chybil. You are not alone.

:loveya: :grouphug:

[fooj]

12. That was a very comforting post. Thank you, SeattleGirl.

Peace.

[Miss Chybil]

27. Thank you, SeattleGirl. I woke up this morning and didn't turn on the t.v

I went to my garden first and I found a new watermelon. Life goes on. When I did turn on the t.v., CNN was doing a piece on "Noah's Wish" animal rescue. They showed all the animals they had rescued in NO and talked about the circumstances they found them in. I teared up a bit, but they were happy tears. Happy for the saved ones. Life goes on. The devastation and the ineptitude of our government is still overwhelming, but I found a couple glimmers of hope today.

We have a few NO evacuees in AZ. A couple hundred, as far as I know. The Salvation Army is asking for donations of new clothes and toys for them. Payday is Friday. My husband and I will take something down. We already gave money last payday.

Each day will get better. It must. Don't you think? This last week, I've looked at all of our possessions - our home, our cars, our pugs and imagined them under water. They're looking dryer to me today. Thank God. Each day has got to get better. If I'm this traumatized by this mess, I can't imagine what it must be like for those who have actually experienced it. God help them.

[knowbody0]

5. the only solution is anarchy

we can eat pills, become comfortably numb or stop the madness. we have all just learned we do not matter. our votes were not counted. they withheld food and water to the sick and dying. no protocal.

[sandnsea]

11. New Orleans = Anarchy

After seeing anarchy up close, why in the world would you still see that as a solution?

[Qibing Zero]

17. You're mistaken if you think that the situation in NO was that

I've posted numerous times on the subject, but I don't mind explaining again.

What you're seeing in New Orleans is the breakdown of society, not something like anarchy (which is usually an idea of a utopian classless society based on a lack of ruler). A better word would be today's definintion of 'chaos'.

When society breaks down, each individual's response differs, based largely upon their place in that society to begin with. It's easy to judge people based on their actions in such a circumstance, but every last person will do what they feel is necessary to survive first and formost. Now, if the person had felt that they were repressed by society in the first place, and now is in a situation where that society has shattered, you would assume that they would probably attempt to strike back at what they view has been repressing them, right?

Also, the repressed definitely do not believe said society cares about their fate, so they in many cases probably think no one will come to help them (or if they do, they will have to pay for their 'rescue' anyhow). A new society starts to be formed. Because many parts of our society so glorify status and power, property becomes the first show of those things, especially the ownership of scarce objects. If you own the necessities, you hold a great source of power in respect to the people who need them. These things are forefront in many of the minds of the people in the lower class of society because they're percieved to be the difference between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'.

It's hard to enter the thoughts of people after this point, because rational thinking can't describe the efforts of thousands of desperate individuals as they attempt to create a new society in whatever form they see fit.

All I can tell you is that the idea of 'anarchy' is not the one you see in the dystopian sense: where society breaks down and inequalities become yet even more apparent. While anarchy lacks a ruling class, it doesn't lack the form of a society (unless of course you happen to believe society isn't possible without a ruling class, which is a discussion for another time).

[sandnsea]

23. ruling hierarchies

They're inevitable. It's just the way we're made, we've been following leaders forever and as often as not, they cause more harm than good. Regardless, eventually, a ruling elite is always created and the anarchy in getting rid of them usually isn't good either.

[Dogmudgeon]

6. Saving yourself

Log off at once.

Do not watch the Katrina coverage for at least a day.

Get your news on-line, but NOT at DU for a little while. And certainly no TV. A day is usually sufficient to cure outrage shock.

You can't be an effective agent of change when you're too overloaded to think straight. Decompress for a day or so, and you'll feel much better -- and much more able to take up the task of recovery and calling for impeachment.

--p!

[hlthe2b]

7. Go to your humane society shelter and volunteer the day....

The joy you will receive from just walking those dogs, so eager for any attention will help you-- a lot. I promise.

[Miss Chybil]

28. Good idea. I've already blown it today - obviously - but I vow

tomorrow will be no t.v. and no DU day. Thank you.

[anarchy1999]

33. Excellent advice. I did it Monday afternoon, should have continued

through yesterday, but didn't, so I had to repeat this am. There is just too much coming in. TV especially, even AAR.

[fighttheevilempire]

8. Many near me will

I ask any DU'ers who read this to look up information about the Agnes flood during Nixon's reign, especially as it covers NE PA. Our area never really recovered and we were treated the same way. -ignore them, until the publicity becomes too great- then try to look like a hero. dad suspects a lot of ppl will see flashbacks of 72 and the suicide rate will go up for a while. scary how little changed since then. but then, niether has the administration. just ask nixons advisor Cheney.

[spuddonna]

14. Whoa... flashback...

I remember my dad ranting about that... I'll have to ask him for details... Thanks for the post!

[LittleClarkie]

9. I'm going to see my therapist tomorrow.

Luckily she's a raging liberal.

[sandnsea]

10. Do something productive

Focus on something, and follow it through. It doesn't matter how big or small, because it is a zillion tiny grains of sand that turn into a beautiful beach. Just be a grain of sand and know that all will be well as a result.

I've lost absolutely everything in a housefire and had no insurance to rely on, a husband who was injured and couldn't work that I had to take care of, so yes I do know what I'm talking about. People do come back from tragedy. You don't have to carry the whole burden for anybody, others are helping too. If you have any belief in Jesus, remember, even His very presence on this earth didn't change the hearts of the majority. If Jesus couldn't do it, why do you think you should be able to?

:hug:

[DanCa]

13. That was me last night. My friends on DU got me thru it.

One) Turn of the tv, take a sedative get a decent nights sleep and a healthy breakfeast.

Two) Go on a news black out, or at least limit yourself to the daily show and snipets

Three) read a good thick book. I am rereading chronicles of narriah right now. It really does preoccupy the mine

Four) do something physical, I joinned a gym in addition to my physical therapy. It's a god send.

Five) Remember your human your not superman you can't control the events. The only thing you have control over is yourself. Remember in all the universe there is a thousand palents in a million galaxies each with a billion starts and were not the point.
I hope this helped anxiety attacks sucks. My pals on du got me thru mine monday. If you need me pm day or night. Huggles Danny.

[ohio_liberal]

18. Good advice

I turned off the TV yesterday, took a walk outside, had a glass of wine, a two hour soak in the bathtub with a book. Then I took a sleeping pill and got a decent night's sleep for the first time in days. I feel like a new person.

[Miss Chybil]

29. Thank you... very much. I'm out of here for a couple days.

Bless you all.

[DanCa]

15. There is no weakness in seeing a therapist. I see one.

Sometimes it helps just to regurgatate this stuff verbaly.

[expatriate]

16. This happened to me after 9/11

I cried, almost nonstop, for four days. Now, I lost seven people that day in the WTC, but I think I would have reacted the same way no matter what.

Things like this are shattering. If you just shrugged it off and said "shit happens" - that would be worrying. But you're suffering from overexposure to it.

As others have said, log off DU right now. Do not return for 24 hours. DU is great, DU is informative and supportive - but it's being posted on 24/7 by people all over the world, and you can get yourself into a loop where all you do in times of crisis, when the boards are busy, is sit and read. Because so many different people are venting and sometimes raging, it can become cosmic.

There were wonderful suggestions made already, but this works for me when things get me to the crying/angry/insane stage (and I've had a lot of that in my life, believe me!)

Spend a day without TV or being online. Adhere to your usual routine quite a bit, but without including newspaper reading or watching/listening to news. Do things you normally would do.

Also, do some things you normally don't do in your daily routine. Take a walk somewhere you haven't walked before. Dig out some old photo albums and spend some time looking through them. Go to the library and browse. Something that isn't part of your daily round.

Do whatever you must to get some sleep. Sleep is essential at times like this, when you are under more stress than usual, but it's often elusive. You might even try to nap during the day if you can, if sleeping at night is a problem. Sleep will help you begin to heal. It will also recharge your ability to cope.

Be sure to eat. Even if you have to make yourself do it. Make it nutritious food, not junk. Your body is under stress. It needs replenishment.

Know that, in time, this feeling of extreme stress and anxiety will go away, particularly if you treat yourself well, and allow yourself to start healing.

[Qibing Zero]

19. Just a question - Is it the helplessness?

That's what gets me. I can take in the information, I just can't take the fact I may not be able to do anything about it all...

[marions ghost]

20. find somebody who feels the same way

or somebody you feel comfortable crying with. Define all the reasons for crying or feeling the sadness. Define the fears. Define the frustrations. Define the areas of vulnerability. NAME them. Don't let it be just free-floating anxiety. Get it out there in a specific way. If it appeals to you, make a shrine somewhere -- put a picture or two along with a candle and whatever symbolic elements you like. It would be positive to put a picture not only of the victims, but of people who have spoken out against the conditions that have led to the excessive loss of life and suffering. Some positive images of hope and help. Visit the shrine, pray or meditate or just sit and bear witness to the fact of this mind-blowing tragedy. The "shrine" could even be just pictures/text on a piece of paper or a computer file. This provides a place where you can put your feelings and then go on with your day. Above all, allow your response to exist. Respect your response. Do not deny it. Understand it. After awhile it will become clear to you what you might do (no matter how small) to help. After awhile the turbulence you feel will subside and you can be more in control. If by any chance you find one or two others who feel as you do, suggest a weekly support group with them. Get together for an hour or so just to talk.

We who are feeling powerless need to regain balance. Sometimes that means taking time out to repair the damage and figure out the best way to proceed. We who see truth about this country are receiving some mind-blowing punches to the heart right now. Don't underestimate that experience. Gather your strength to fight back, with others and in effective ways. This phase of pain is necessary to ultimate success and overcoming obstacles. Sometimes it's necessary to be shaken out of your tree.

[fed-up]

21. I too am overcome with grief, anger, rage, frustration...

This topic needs kicking and nominating as I am sure most of us are feeling the same.

Lots of good suggestions on this thread.

I took time yesterday to work on restocking my emergency food supply by dehydrating a box of apples. (I have 3 dryers) It gives me something productive to do and is also mindless busy work.

Tonight we will go salmon fishing to stock the freezer and to have extras to dehydrate.

<[[[Hugs>]]]] to everyone that needs them.

At least I got to listen to John Stewart last night via the phone (no TV here) and found that laughter is a great stress reliever. (not that it is a funny situation)

Also good loving, cuddling, hugging and sex can help sooth frayed nerves.

[livetohike]

22. Everyone is giving such good advice. Here is what I did

I wrote to my Senators and Congressman to ask for censure/impeachment of Bush. That made me feel like I did something.

I wrote checks to several organizations. I wrote to Keith Olbermann thanking him for his editorial the other night.

Out here in CA I feel helpless, but these small acts have made me feel somewhat better.

[mshasta]

24. taking the streets will be good therapy

sep24}(

[pointblank]

25. I am empathetic

I am depressed, but I am really worried about my wife.

We watched Oprah yesterday together and about an hour later and though we were shocked, and we talked about how bad it was, she seemed to be coping.

About an hour later, I was in the kitchen making some dinner for us and she walks in bawling. She had a total breakdown. We have been watching the coverage a lot lately and she just broke. We cried together for awhile and she was just edgy and sad for about two hours...until THE DAILY SHOW came on and we both got a much needed laugh last night. If I could, I would personally thank Jon Stewart and company for that.

[pointblank]

26. I am empathetic

I am depressed, but I am really worried about my wife.

We watched Oprah yesterday together and about an hour later and though we were shocked, and we talked about how bad it was, she seemed to be coping.

About an hour later, I was in the kitchen making some dinner for us and she walks in bawling. She had a total breakdown. We have been watching the coverage a lot lately and she just broke. We cried together for awhile and she was just edgy and sad for about two hours...until THE DAILY SHOW came on and we both got a much needed laugh last night. If I could, I would personally thank Jon Stewart and company for that.

[Miss Chybil]

31. Read some of the threads above. They make a lot of sense.

Take care of yourself and your wife.

[graywarrior]

30. I feel like I took a drink of rage after 20 years of sobriety

I'm full steam ahead of piping, hot anger and have asked Mr. Graywarrior to keep an eye on my actions. I don't trust myself when I get this heated. For instance, prior to Katrina, I did most of the driving. These day, he's taken over.

[Ladyhawk]

34. I hear you. I've felt the same way.

I'm taking time off from the news and spending less time at DU. I thought I was going to have a heart attack or stroke last week, wanting to punch * in the kisser.

[[e-mail]]

35. maybe that is what they want

then we'll all be on meds
?