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Episode 008 

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FREE THERAPY SESSION

Seven out of ten Americans say the recent election was a source of "significant stress."  For many of us, it hasn't gone away.

Between the  terrors of living through the worst pandemic in our history, the trauma of the election and the lingering madness of four years under Donald Trump, many of us are, well ... a bit ... unstable.     

We could probably all use some therapy.  Which is precisely what our current episode  provides. 

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Join Host Julian Simmons as he talks with Dr. Jennifer Contarino Panning, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Evanstown, Illinois, who coined the condition "Trump Anxiety Disorder" back in 2017.  

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Under Trump’s rule many of us have been traumatized, experiencing signs of chronic stress, depression, anxiety.  We tried everything we could to block him out, lead a normal life, but like a bully he kept coming back at us. And even now that he has been officially defeated, the anxiety continues. [This interview took place before the "Trump Insurrection," which only makes it more relevant].

Back at the beginning of Trump's presidency, Dr.  Contarino Panning not only recognized what was happening, she coined a name for it, T.A.D. or "Trump Anxiety Disorder."  As an indication of just how widespread this condition is, Facebook rejected our ad containing those words.  (See that original ad here).

As a contributor to the bestselling book, “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President,” Dr. Panning’s chapter, titled "Trump Anxiety Disorder," describes the symptoms so many of us have experienced.  In this episode, she elaborates on those, and what we can do about them.  

On top of T.A.D., we’ve had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  For many of us baby boomers --  more susceptible than most -- it has been a traumatic experience.   Dr. Panning has some advice on how to cope with the pandemic too.  She urges us to be safe, but also envision that day not too far away when the vaccine(s) will take effect, and this horrible disease will be gone.  "Hope has real power," she says.

We are all in this together.  While we are obviously having to endure these Holidays isolated from friends and family, we can still connect, and we urge you to reach out and talk to those you love, those who care, and those who need the bit of comfort just your voice can provide.  We have posted some links to useful sites, and an all-important suicide hotline    800-273-8255 .   For some, these next few months are going to be a real crisis.    Many families are going to be in dire straights;  PLEASE help  where you can, donate where you can, and discover the real joy that can come from giving. 

But right now, join us as we  lay back on the therapist's couch and hear from an expert -- Dr. Jennifer Contarino Panning --  how to cope with the double whammy of COVID-19 and the continuing case of "Trump Anxiety Disorder." 

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