Politics-Generated Anxiety (Venezuelan)

[Venezu]

Hello. First of all, i will say who i am. I'm Mario, 22 years old, from Caracas, Venezuela. As you might know, President Hugo Chavez is in Havana, Cuba undergoing treatment for cancer and he is probably dying of it. The current political situation of Venezuela is chaotic and one never know what will happen next. I suffer from heavy anxiety, taking medications for it daily. Still, i suffer from a lot of anxiety yet and i have panic attacks as they are up to make announcements (the famous television broadcasts "Cadenas") basically expecting to announce his death. The government keep saying he is doing better but the reputation of our politicians is among the worse. The opposition, says he is probably already dead and they don't want to announce it and that they are negociating pacts with Cuba to keep the money going to their hands. Since i trust nobody, i don't have an assured thought of it. Still, even people saying rumors make me nervous and i freak out hard when they are about to broadcast or somebody says they are broadcasting. I feel like having a heart attack, and i'm afraid of strokes. I suffer heavily from hypochondria and nothing have ever helped me but keeping my mind busy, which i cant now because i'm completely alert over what happens with Chavez. If they announce he died i dont know how i will take the news, and that's one thing im afraid too.

I suppose this is a whole new turn on anxiety since people in most places dont have to worry everyday about politics like in venezuela. You can check trending topics in 0248 to confirm. It's driving me crazy and i don't even know if my heart could take so much stress, even i have gone to the cardiologist multiple times and i dont suffer from anything besides the occasional stress related tachycardia. I hope any of your advices would be helpful. Thanks.

[kconnors]

Hi,

Welcome to the group . . . well, politics up here are pretty chaotic also but I am familiar with Latin American politics and they are a constant source of anxiety, especially when your President is undergoing cancer surgery . . . you are suffering from anxiety but you are under a doctor's care I am assuming if you have meds. Perhaps the best advice that I can give you, Mario, is to reduce the number of hours that you listen to broadcasts and speak to people about the situation. You will know soon enough the ultimate outcome but if you continually subject yourself to minute to minute updates, then you are creating and intensifying your anxiety. If Chavez does die, then you will handle the issue as best you can. You cannot prevent him from death; you can only protect yourself from your anxiety. You need, if possible, to contact a professional therapist. You are in relatively stable physical health, but you need to learn techniques to manage the anxiety. You are 22 with all your potential ahead of you. Take this time now to strengthen yourself mentally so you can meet any challenges that come to you personally or to your country. Let us know how you are doing as we can do nothing for Chavez but perhaps by keeping in touch, we can support you as you learn to manage your anxiety. Take care, kc

[Venezu]

Thank you very much Mr. Connors. I'm certainly trying to stay away from the news and 0248. Still, having national tv channels on my house gives me sort of anxiety because they can give announcements on any time. I'm currently studying foreign affairs which i find ironic to be so stressed as i know what would be the outcome of all this. I don't support him at all to be sincere, nor his gabinet, but i'm so fearful of change for the worst that it keeps me awake at nights, so to speak. It gets more irrational as i think.

About the therapists, at this time of the year they are on vacations yet and i have no professional help to receive at least until next week and these days are critical. That's the way i see it. I've sort of managed to handle other stressful situations but this is one which is beating me. Change is something i can't cope with. 

[nillson]

I'm stressed too like you as when one president is having problems like cancer, how can he be active for the masses? Such condition can lead anyone to suffer from problems like you.

No need to think more but just focus on your work and get riddance from anxiety. Change is something you cannot get indulged in as you'll need to just focus on your work.

Do you work and do what you want.