(NewsNation) — As the race for the White House looks set to go down to the wire, emotions are high among many given the current state of politics.
Psychoanalyst Dr. Erica Komisar says the divisive nature of the current political landscape is a root cause.
“I think that we used to be closer together in our views as a country,” Komisar told “Morning in America.”
“I think because we’re so split in a binary fashion, I think that gives people a sense of doom if their candidate loses, they’re going to lose a way of life, or they’re going to lose fundamental values. So this kind of extreme nature of politics today.”
Komisar acknowledged it could affect physical and mental health, but that thinking of the worst is an unhelpful practice.
“They catastrophize, right? So they go into a state of feeling, as I said, doom and despair as if the world is going to end,” Komisar added.
“And as we know, you know when your candidate loses, the world doesn’t end. It may not be a world that you enjoy living in as much as if your candidate had won, but we also know that our system is four years, four years, four years.”
In Decision Desk HQ latest polling averages, Vice President Kamala Harris has a 3.6% lead on former President Donald Trump based on 202 polls.
As to how to avoid spiraling into negativity; Komisar recommends keeping a balanced life.
“I think turn down the volume and that means less media exposure,” she said. “You know, we need to have media exposure. We need to know what’s going on, you know, so you limit your amount of television viewing and reading of articles to, you know, maybe half an hour a day, but no more.
“Get enough sleep, eat, well, exercise, meditate, do all the things that get you back to a feeling of balance in your life, and try not to fight with those you love.”