I Can't Effing Sleep.......

[global1]

I've been sleep deprived for months now - partly because I'm dealing with prostate cancer - but I realized this a.m. that really most of it is because of Trump. I know that the late night show hosts and comedians think Trump is fodder for jokes - and the jokes should have stopped when he won the KGOP's primary - but they didn't.

Throughout his campaign - things kept on getting worse and worse - and I thought for sure that the jokes would stop after the live mike on the bus incident. I thought for sure that even the women of SNL would put their foot down and say that they will no longer take part in Trump skits and make fun of a man that assaults women. But that didn't happen. In fact it looked like the jokes escalated after that incident.

But yesterday - things really got serious. Trump tweeting about nuclear weapons.

This man is taking us down a path of what could be total destruction and annihilation. I couldn't sleep a wink last night and that's why I'm up composing this post at 4:30 a.m.

When is it going to stop? When will the MSM and comedians come to their senses and stop thinking that whatever he says or tweets is not cutesy or funny anymore. When will they realize that he is putting our lives and the lives of our loved ones in danger. When will they start telling the American People the truth - that Trump is a sick, deranged person that is not qualified to be anywhere near the White House?

The MSM and the people that work for it ought to be ashamed of themselves. I know some may think that their career is on the line or their ratings will fall if they don't tow the line of the mogul's that run their business. But yesterday - something more serious than their career and ratings came up. Trump put their life on the line. They won't have to worry about a career or ratings if this man takes us down the path to a nuclear war.

Wake up people- wake up. It's time you become sleep deprived as well.

[SammyWinstonJack]

1. Haven't slept in months either, directly because of the GE and the scam that is tRump. A few hrs a

night if that, is all.

[MontanaMama]

2. It's 3:45 am and I'm with you.

Agreed on the MSM. They are worthless and worse, they were instrumental in getting this monster elected. They are working hard to normalize him. I really think it is time to ignore all of them and turn to independent media, and support it however possible. Gone are the days when we could turn on the nightly news and get good information.

[LittleGirl]

3. Sorry about your health

I hope you get better soon.

I know what you mean about not sleeping. I'm mad as hell about this election. I never in my wildest dreams believed he would win. How could he? He was/is horrible! But I'm in the anger stage now. We can't sit back and watch this collapse of our country. We have to fight. Watch Michael Moore videos that describe everything you mention. the orange one is going to get us killed.

[Raster]

4. This past Selection haunts my sleep as well...

...and I used to LOVE my sleep.

[barbtries]

5. i don't have a tv.

but the late night bits on Trump are soothing to my soul and my interpretation is entirely different from your own. i think they shine a light on this terrible, dangerous man. not like the rest of the corporate media which normalizes him and downplays his lies and gaffs on a daily basis. if more people watched late night comedians imo they would be able to appreciate much more how much of a danger he is.

i don't know how you conflate the two.

you don't have to be up at night to watch any of this by the way. i don't have TV, i have youtube. i watch my shows while getting ready for work in the morning. and DU of course is a wonderful source for news.

best of luck with your illness - i hope your outcome is soon and all positive!

[skylucy]

26. +100 Great post. I agree!

[awoke_in_2003]

43. I grew up watching Letterman

from his early days. Maybe that's where I got my ability to look at things, point out that they are fucked up, yet do it in an amusing way. He helped me embrace my inner cynic.

[Silver Gaia]

6. I know how you feel. I can't sleep, either.

But please, try to focus on healing. I *know* it's hard. I helped my husband make it hrough treatment for both throat cancer and (later) melanoma. (He is now cancer-free!) Can you ask your docs for some anti-anxiety meds to help you sleep? My husband needed that, even without Trump added to the mix. Please try to get the rest you need. The rest of us can handle this and do what needs to be done. You need to focus on healing. There will be plenty of time later to fret about Trump, but right now, you need to get well. Please feel free to PM me if you need to talk about your illness. We (hubby and me) are here for you.

[SylviaD]

7. I can't sleep either...

I haven't slept well, I haven't even posted here since the election.

I cannot believe she lost. I cannot believe this man won.

This man will be president?

I am dreading this like I have not dreaded anything politically, even Bush.

There must be some way to constitutionally block this man from becoming president. There must be.

I can't even type his name.

[Hugin]

8. I'm sorry to hear that you have health concerns.

Please, take care of yourself first and foremost.

The one thing I've come to realize is my whole world view is that of a Dinosaur, apparently.

The fact I care about helping to empower those around me who for whatever reason find themselves struggling to get by and ahead seems to be antiquated in this brave new Randian world the GOPpers have thrust upon us. It's a mean world now. Hateful and oozing with spite.

It's been coming on for years and at every juncture I've warned everyone I could about it's impending incarnation. It has all fallen on deaf ears.

Frankly, I will admit no trouble sleeping. It's the only peace for me now. With any luck the end will come while I'm asleep. But, I no longer believe in Karma.

Winter is here.

[orwell]

9. I don't sleep anymore either...

...I keep thinking that it will pass but it may be getting worse.

Maybe we should call it Trumpsomnia?

[libtodeath]

10. I wish I could sleep more,the nightmare is being awake and watching this.

[FarCenter]

11. Turn off the TV, go for a walk.

You are not responsible for the rest of the world, and there is nothing you can do about it.

Thou shalt not worry about things thou cans't do anything about.

[Guilded Lilly]

12. And waking to The Twilight Zone every morning...

I work in a very member driven, public non-profit. Deal daily with the community's seniors, adults, kids, families of all varieties. Hundreds come through the doors daily.

There is an extremely surreal pall hanging over everything since the election. Honestly. A decided difference. A huge number of people, co-workers and members are living in this unspoken emotional trance. It is unsettling.

This holiday season has been especially and atypically low key and flat.

People can't shake this off.

[TheBlackAdder]

13. Guys, please seek a counselor. I'm not saying this to be flippant, your health is at stake here!

.


I've lived through Nixon and Reagan. I've had to crawl under desks in school for nuke bomb drills.


The world is a fucked up place and will remain so for centuries.


While many worry about their health, these sleep and stress concerns are helping to promote degradation.


===


Please find a good Democratic counselor who can guide you though these trying times. We're all stressing about this shit, to one degree or another, but besides putting on a good fight, what else can we do? Counselors have seen these issues a thousand times before and know the various profiles and solutions to address each concern. They have the skills that they can guide you to using that will regain your self, your sleep, and free you of these burdens. For many, we think we are strong, but there are times when we need help and are too proud to admit it. Very few people can self-diagnose and administer corrective action and the myriad of books will just confuse people. Like a car, sometimes you have to take it into the shop to have a professional look under the hood. We are no different.


I've used psychologists and counselors before, during my divorce, and I swear by them. They are the best thing on the planet. Try a nice psychologist first. I am able to use the skills taught me to handle this situation and others. They are learned skills that can be used throughout one's lifetime.


There comes a point where we have to fight, but do so in a detached way. We can not keep up the resistance if we are all ill and compromise our mental acuity and health by stressing about issues that are far beyond our control.


My four teenage and older children were devastated by his win and the shit Trump is pulling, but there is only so much one can do. We have the same talks and with the proper skills, over the past month, they have been able to separate their angst from their actions and are not staying up past midnight anymore.


The neo-Nazis and teabaggers want us to get run down, they want us to fail, they want to hear that we are not coping with this loss--everything empowers those assholes. Now, I have shifted to their game of survival, who will tear down the other first. And, I would like to win that struggle. But, I do it in a cold and detached way. Fuck those bastards!


Psychologists and MSWs have toolkits that can free us of our burdens.


.

[Madam45for2923]

17. Thanks for sharing all that! Very helpful and wise!

[TheBlackAdder]

21. Thanks.

.


There comes a point where reaching out to family, friends and message boards can not help.


I just wanted to put that out there, because many fear some non-existent stigma. I delayed seeing a counselor because I perceived that it meant I was messed up, when in reality my obstinate refusal to see one was the thing that was messed up. I saw an EAP psychologist first, and within several sessions I was released from most of my concerns. He then found a really nice psychologist to see on a regular basis, and she knew all of the issues in divorce that I was experiencing and addressed each one and provided the coping skills when the ex would ratchet up tensions.


Most people don't have the skills to deal with the complexities of life. They struggle or slowly find ways to adapt or resolve them. Counselors know personality types and these various factors, and can surgically address each concern. The intro session will be more fact-finding, and perhaps a quick, here's a few things to address the major issues, and subsequent sessions will pinpoint individual concerns on a more granular level.


I swear by them.


.

[Madam45for2923]

23. Coping is extra difficult when world outside if full of Gaslighting and Dysfunction and Bullying!

Government should not be our biggest problem!

Thanks again.

[JHan]

46. I would recommend this post if I could.

thanks for sharing.

[SylviaD]

34. I work with Trumpists...

I have taken a leave from work and am living off my savings. Fortunately I have substantial savings and I am free to recuperate at home for a few months.

[TheBlackAdder]

37. Most of us do. Luckily, work's new policy is that there are no discussions of religion or politics.

Last edited Fri Dec 23, 2016, 06:10 PM - Edit history (1)

[SylviaD]

39. I can't stand even being around those people...

at least, not right now. Their ugly attitudes, their gloating. I don't know this country anymore.

[RegexReader]

44. they even have 'short timer' calendars marking off the days

until tRump is POTUS.

[SylviaD]

47. Ugh. nt

[gordianot]

14. I understand how you feel.

Trump however cannot stand satire. Based on his tweets and then subsequent absence of comment SNL has him on edge. He may not care what people think of him but he cannot stand to be ridiculed. I am also finding ridicule seriously offends Trump voters. Yes this is serious life and death. I know the Trump voters around me I may sometimes appear to be nice or snarky. Again this is a matter of life and death the Universe provides opportunities. Get some sleep.

[global1]

29. That's Exactly What I'm Worried About....

satire puts him on the edge. We don't need this loose cannon to be put on edge as there is no telling what he'd do.

My thought is to ignore him. He'd have more time to do his job as president if he didn't have to watch SNL or any other program that belittles him to set him off.

His people need to reign him in. Take his twitter phone away from him or cut his thumbs off.

His people need to realize that he is putting them and their families in harms way too. How long can they continue to cover for him and his insane view of the world?

[gordianot]

33. There are way too many things that push Trumps buttons.

I prefer Trump knows he is a loser and is despised, those close around him are much more likely to set him off than televised satire. Insulating this degree of instability will not work. He may operate personally on the level of North Korea but the country he chose to scam is not. Giving in to such despots will not get rid of them they are a threat unique to our times.

[barbtries]

36. i just don't agree with that.

i think he needs to be ridiculed at every opportunity. to cower in the face of his madness is, in my opinion, suborning and reinforcing the power of his madness. NO FEAR. RESIST.

[global1]

38. I'm Not Talking About Cowering.....

He is an egomaniac. He loves the attention and he catches most of it cause he doesn't take intelligence briefings and watches the TV.

I say ignore him. Don't give him the satisfaction.

He needs to concentrate on running the country. All this attention just distracts him.

[barbtries]

41. he cannot live without that attention.

he's too sick. i do not believe that he has any interest in running the country, never did. the money and the adoration he soaks up from his cult is what sustains him.

[LaydeeBug]

15. Turn off the fucking news. Why let sources who perpetuated Russian propaganda have more

access to your mind?

Watch other things. Read the paper.

I have not watched one single SECOND of Russian propaganda since the election, and I am not going to until there is a fucking standard about reporting again.

There isn't now. The whore press puts the 'lazy' in laissez faire.

[Madam45for2923]

18. Russian propaganda is right!

[LaydeeBug]

19. They did it breathlessly at every turn...also

where is Melania Trump's speechwriter?

You tell me that shit would have gone down that way on our side. The double standard is open.

False equivalence.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

[Madam45for2923]

16. For me waking up this morning was hard! Wake up to this new hate-full reality & world!

Such a disgusting person as Prez? and all these unhinged characters orbiting around him getting positions in our government.

[progressoid]

20. My wife and I aren't sleeping well either.

Also, good luck with the prostrate cancer.

[BumRushDaShow]

22. I read this post about an hour ago but just now heard this song on SiriusXM

[Nay]

24. Well, I've been waking up at 3 or 4 a.m. with feelings of anxiety and dread, so

I feel ya. I always thought the environment would kill most of us first, but now I have to consider an asshole like Trump and his nuclear war doing the deed first. I really DID want to at least live for the 15 years we've got before the temp goes up to 125 degrees and we all fry, but . . .

[nancy1942]

25. I totally agree. I can no longer function.

[rzemanfl]

27. Sorry about your health and your sleep. Ridicule is about the only thing we have to keep

Drumpf from becoming normalized.

[gulliver]

28. We aren't going to live forever anyway.

I don't lose sleep about what Trump will do. No need to feel guilty if you voted for Hillary. No need to worry about nuclear annihilation or economic meltdown. Worrying doesn't work. Just forge ahead. We need to get together next spring and summer as Dems in rallies and other venues to build up some interpersonal trust and enthusiasm in my opinion.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

30. we need to stop internalizing this threat & externalize it

ever since that horrible election night, I've had pneumonia and now am recovering a bad chest cold... and it all started that horrible night. So I've decided that instead of letting Trump/Putin get the better of me, I'm going to have to get sleep, and start doing what I can to help save my beloved country. And adopt the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference

[sarcasmo]

31. Having the same problem. 1 AM is the best since the election. Moonshine is my cure.

[RegexReader]

45. a case of beer and some

gets me through the weekend. Going to be a long 4 years.

[MFM008]

32. I have an ulcer

Found out last week.
I've named it maggot.
Try to get better.
Peace.

[Generator]

35. Every day another blow

I know. I take it one day at at time. I step away. I border between rage and despair. But hey Christmas! I have children almost adults- who I believe in. I guess I either hate everything one day and then believe in something to save us. Who or what or Why I don't know. But since anything can happen-anything good can too. That's something to remember.

[Ilsa]

40. I'm looking to re-vamp my survival inventory.

I only worried about weather-related stuff since 2009.

I'm so sorry about your help issues. Consider talking to your dr about your anxiety and medication to help alleviate it, if possible.

[reflection]

42. Pretty sure most everyone here is missing sleep.

I am. I'm also hugging my girls and wife more, and stocking up on food, medicine, blankets, all kinds of things. I hope to hell I'm wrong but I'm genuinely scared for my family with this madman at the helm.

[betsy2016]

48. Would you move to EU if you could?

I also can't sleep well since the election. I am afraid on so many levels but the overarching one is nukes. I am unusual in that I have dual citizenship with an EU country. So I can live and work anywhere in the EU and my husband could get a residence permit, I checked. And we both have businesses that we can operate from anywhere - though our clients are in the US and i suppose all would cease if heaven forbid the US was heavily damaged. It's hard to even type these thoughts. We would have to give up a lovely house for a little apartment and there would be many other inconveniences and hurdles, to say the least, but we do have that option. Ireland is English-speaking and we can get by in a couple of other languages as well. If you were me, would you seriously consider moving to the EU?

[UTUSN]

49. ...

[Generic Brad]

50. I found a great sleep aid

There are ambient noise apps. The white noise and machine sounds bother me. But the sound of crackling fire, or ocean waves, or rain rapidly drifts me off to sleep and gets me into deep REM.

I set them to go off when my alarm sounds. It has helped me get deep sleep despite the worries and problems I have that would normally keep me awake. $1.99 is a small price to pay for deep slumber. Try it. I hope it helps you.

[leftofcool]

51. Meh! Sleeping is for sissies anyway. I think instead of trying to sleep I will build a bunker.

I feel the threat of nukes coming on.