Pre-Election Anxiety Squeezes African American Women

"On the news yesterday, they revealed a potential neo-Nazi plot against Barack Obama, and then they gave more details on the racially-motivated Ashley Todd hoax. It made my heart pound. My blood pressure rose precipitously," said anthropologist Wende Marshall, professor of public health sciences, University of Virginia.

Barack Obama's candidacy represents a pivotal moment in history, and many African American women are having a visceral reaction to the final, frantic days of the presidential campaign.

"I'm completely stressed out," said military wife Candy Hayes, a former Detroiter who now lives in Suffolk, Va. Her husband has been in the service for 30 years, and had hoped to retire next year. "We can't plan our future until we know who won the election. If John McCain wins, the retirement is postponed, and we won't get a chance to do the things we were hoping to do," Hayes told OffTheBus.

Belinda Moses is a single parent of two "great students." One is in college, the other is ready to go. "I already owe $23,000 in student loans. I share a car with my elderly father, who is watching his retirement nest egg slip away in the declining stock market. My disabled brother, who depends on me to advocate for his medical needs, has had five surgeries since January."

With so many people depending on her, Moses is furious at the McCain-Palin ticket. "How dare they focus on the frivolity of what somebody's pastor said, when lives like mine are hanging in the balance? What if some day my dad can't pay his portion of our mortgage? What if my brother has to move in so I can take care of him? Then what?" asked the health systems manager from Tacoma, Wa.

When an election gets this personal, it creates anxiety. Last week, Marshall visited her physician, who recommended increasing the dose of her hypertension medicine until after the election. "My doctor said many of her African American patients had higher than normal blood pressure readings this month, mostly due to the election," Marshall told OffTheBus through the Eyes and Ears feature.

Dr. Norm Oliver has observed the same phenomenon in his practice. "Many African Americans have become emotionally involved in Senator Obama's bid for the presidency, and it's creating stress. If he wins, we win. If he loses, it feels like a victory for racism. As you might imagine, this makes the stakes very high and very personal. Watching the polls has become an anxiety-producing activity."

Virginia Moore recently lost her home. To feed her four children, she sells newspapers in Washington D.C. "Food is so expensive now! I think Obama understands this better than McCain does." Moore watched the presidential debates and "got a good feeling about Obama. I think he'll straighten out the housing mess, and I like that he won't let anyone touch Medicaid or Social Security." Moore told OffTheBus she suffers from hypertension, and is having a difficult time controlling her blood pressure these days.

African Americans are at higher risk for hypertension

Hypertension is significantly more prevalent among African Americans than whites (44/28 percent), and the racial disparity is growing. "The stress being felt in this particular instance is the stress of being black in America. It expresses itself through higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, infant mortality, and certain cancers," said Dr. Oliver, a professor of family medicine at the University of Virginia. "A growing body of literature in biomedical science indicates that the stress of racial discrimination has become embodied in African Americans, and in African American women in particular."

Moni Law, a lawyer from Seattle, agrees. She told OffTheBus that African American women have "internalized a lot of stress over the generations. But we are also strong, with a stubborn tenacity. We love to celebrate the joy of endurance and survival."

Dawn Jennings, a former marine from Quantico, Va., told OffTheBus, "Oh, yes, I'm feeling the stress, too! But it's not just me and my female friends. My white friend Buddy and his friends are just as consumed with the election and whether or not it will be stolen from us again."

Tonya Smith told OffTheBus she worries about the entire Obama family, especially the children. "As African Americans, we knew their safety was going to be an issue -- a paralyzing issue at first, one that allowed fear to trump hope. But now, as Election Day grows closer, there is excitement in the air for everyone, of all races. We are on the cusp of something amazing, something that will show the world we're serious about change in the United States."

Stephanie Lipscomb works as a bank vice president in the eclectic Washington D.C. neighborhood nicknamed Borderstan. Of the financial crisis, Lipscomb said she has "never seen anything like it. All those no-documentation loans are proof of the careless way our country was being run." Driving through scenic Annapolis, Md., with her family, Lipscomb couldn't help but notice all the McCain signs in front of big beautiful houses. "Don't they want to keep those homes?" she asked. "Don't they see where we're headed?"

Lipscomb told OffTheBus that her life these days is "practically falling apart," but she's not anxious about the election. In fact, she's excited. "Barack Obama has united all kinds of people. I really believe this man can pull it all together. And I believe he will go line by line through the budget and hold people accountable."

"We'll get through this. Better days are ahead."

Expert advice on how to relax

The high pitch of a presidential election in its final days is enough to rattle anyone's composure. If you have hypertension, please remember to check your blood pressure regularly. Also try to keep the election in perspective: neither candidate is as good or as bad as he seems. Dr. Oliver offers the following relaxation tips:

-- Cut back on watching the news, especially shows that focus on election coverage.

-- Go for a walk, because walking delivers some of the same benefits as anti-depressants.

-- Spend time with family and friends just to have fun, and don't talk about politics.

-- Pray, meditate, or engage in some other relaxing endeavor.

-- Be proactive: volunteer to work on election day.

For more posts on Election Anxiety, click here.

Are you suffering from Election Anxiety? How has the election impacted your life? Tell HuffPost, and we may just quote you! Tell us your stories using this Survey Monkey form.

Comments

[brooklyncitizen]

After the last disastrous month with the market and the banking system tanking and more govt bailout i really felt my anxiety spike....certainly the thought of Palin and McCain in WH is my worst nightmare...I think I am better off than most but I watch friends and family really struggle and it seems to just go down hill for most people .....

[Oregon Ivy]

I am white, middle-aged and Christian and I can tell you that I, and most of my (sensible, intelligent) friends who are all voting for Obama are completely stressed out too.

The biggest worry is that the election will be stolen...and how sad that in the cradle of democracy here in America, Republicans have created that scenario!

That should be one of the first things to be addressed after this election.

[SadiSays]

Don't let them steal this election. If you are off Tuesday or will have time to spare.....

1. Go out and buy an electric megaphone- (you know...."Come out with your hands up!" ...one of THOSE)

2. Go to different neighborhoods, walk or ride shotgun- (don't megaphone and drive)...

3. Tell your fellow citizens to get dressed and get out to vote, if they're registered to do so.

* Don't call for anyone to vote for a specific candidate...just vote- (we wouldn't want someone to deliberately vote for the opposition, out of spite, from being conjured into action by someone in their neighborhood with a megaphone).

BE HEARD *** MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE / SEND IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO WANT TO DO SOMETHING MORE....

[6olddogs]

My 10th presidential election and I finally get to vote FOR someone, rather than just voting against the greater of two evils. I'm scared that this election could be rigged and stolen. The Democrats have had 8 years to fix the problems, create a standardized ballot, etc and I'll be really unset with them if Sen. Obama is not my new president because of republican thievery.

I'm also starting to think about all that needs to be done to make this a much better country and a better citizen of the world too. So come Nov. 10 (we need a few days to party and then get caught up on things like laundry) we all need to be like fictional president Bartlet and say "What's next?"

[notafearmonger]

I thought I was the only one who is seriously stressed about this election. My stomach is in knots and my nerves are on edge. I try to relax and turn off the TV, but as usual, I end up on the Internet. I pray that Obama wins this election. McCain and Sarah scare the heck out of me. Their entire campaign has been filled with hate and lies. These supporters of this campaign shouting hateful things about Obama make me cringe. I never thought in my life this country will heading back to situations before and during the Civil Rights Movement. I am afraid for my kids that if McCain is elected, they will not have any opportunities. I am afraid, that I will not be able to find a job, I am afraid that there will be another Civil War between minorities and some Repubs or these people who believe that a black man does not deserve to be President. All these thoughts keep running through my head and I am having a difficult time letting them go. What it is also disturbing that McCain's opportunist behavior provides other countries like Russia/China/Middle East an opportunity to eventually attack, because they know we are vulnerable.

These are terrifying times and I want people to really think hard while they are voting and ask yourself, do you want possibilities and change; or do you want the uncertainty and fears!! It is your call America!!

[Irksome]

Oh, I'm stressed all right. MY HAIR IS FALLING OUT. I need a new job and it seems like nobody wants to hire until they see how this election comes out.

[joceeco]

I have always believe that there are more good and descent White Americans than there are whites who are racist and I always remind my Black friends and family of this, when the issue of race comes up in our conversations. That is why I know within my heart that Obama will be our next president.

[KarenJW]

Your comment sent a shiver up my spine. When I look at the state our country is in, I too believe that common sense will prevail, and that racism will pale in comparison.

When I hear Sa rah Pa lin speak, I shudder when I hear all those ig norant people chanting in support. This woman being taken seriously is an affront to America. I can only imagine how we are being viewed in the eyes of the rest of the world.

[lionsforlambs]

We are not being viewed favorably. I forgot which article that I saw it on, but I guy from Turkey posted some comments. He said that America has been telling other countries how everyone should be treated fairly, but after seeing the racism that exists here, he believes that we should clean up our own house before we go into another country espousing our moral attitudes that evidently are nonexistent. Those were pretty tough words to read.

[condieshoes]

Yeah, I'm a white 60 year old woman who is so proud of her country and party that Barak Obama is this close to being elected President of the United States...SO Proud!

And so afraid that the election voting machine operatives will be "calibrating" late in the evening on election night.

McCain saying that he expects to win late on election night. Chilling.

2000, 2004 were stolen this way, nothing has changed in regard to the voting machines and the companies and people hired to "Maintain" the voting machines. Just a flip of the switch.......

Now, what will the Demoractic party do this time around? What will we demand?

[cactusgal]

I sleep with one of those dental night guards that prevents tooth grinding. Woke up yesterday and a chunk of it was "missing." (I'm hoping it's somewhere in the bed sheets.) And by the way, we're not white women or black women, etc., we're AMERICAN women, and come next Tuesday we're going to set things straight by a landslide.

[dallashailee]

I think we focus so much on how Obama has enlightened the world on what a black person is capable of, but I just would like to add that it has also enlightened black American's on what non-black American's are capable of. I felt like America was too racist for a black person to ever be this close to the presidency. I was wrong...and have never been happier to be wrong in my life.

[FaceYourFears]

" I felt like America was too racist for a black person to ever be this close to the presidency. I was wrong...and have never been happier to be wrong in my life."


We'll see come Tuesday night!

[serendipityschild]

I too have been watching the news channels, listening to the speeches and pundits. I believe that we will hear the words "President-Elect Obama" on November 5th, but there is much work to do. I have already cast my vote, and am encouraging others to do so. I have two adult children who will vote for Obama/Biden, and we wear our buttons proudly, support him financially, spiritually and verbally. A nation ruled by the jingoistic, unintelligent, and incurious is the nation we have lived in for the last eight years, and it is time for CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[BluePrideSMW]

there's a Tsunami of Legacy for Obama:
Abraham, Martin & John...very sweet, soulful version:
http://current.com/items/89450598_obama_08_abraham_martin_john

[Soho4Obama]

Part 2

Also, how are Palin people preaching about needing less gov't, but more gov't to control what a woman does with her own body. What if gov't wanted to make them be a vegetarian and having MEAT on THIER plate, in THEIR own home was ILLEGAL. I'm sure they'd be highly upset, yelling "How DARE gov't try to control something that's MY choice". And vegetarianism isn't even life-threatening.

It concerns me that ANY person of color, can vote for M/P. I see these minorities who are Pro-P and I'm like " YOU couldn't even STAND safely outside of a Palin rally venue, what are you THINKING? Oh wait, you AREN'T but your vote gets to count and affect the lives of other people who ARE".

People joke about OBAMANS IDOLIZING him, but behind that I'd bet that there are LOTS of people who have actually researched his positions and affiliations and are pleased, which only serves to STRENGTHEN the support. When you talk to Obamans about their reasons for voting for him, for the most part you are going to hear actual substantiated reasons, not just talking points and not in the YELLING/TALKING over format either, b/c you don't have to get hostile when you know you're truly right about something.

Sigh...I don't know, but THIS is the stuff that gives me NIGHTMARES.Literally. I feel it won't be safe to be a woman or a person of color, if McCain wins.

[Soho4Obama]

Sorry this post will be long: Part 1

OMG! I too have been terribly stressed out over this! It's gotten so bad that I've somewhat distanced myself from my good friends who aren't as concerned both because I don't understand how they AREN'T obsessed and they don't want to hear about this stuff and it's all I can talk about.

I'm an AA woman and it concerns me to NO END, how ANY woman who has ANY pride in themselves or any concern for their daughters and sisters, can vote for someone who doesn't VALUE women (speaking of Palin). True, she is not the Pres. candidate, but McCain is not a young man and even if he were, she obviously has a mind of her own and doesn't care about anyone but herself. With her acceptance of someone who causes harm to women under the title "getting rid of witches", to her stance on abortion NO MATTER the circumstance (even possible DEATH to the mother), to her charging rape victims for rape kits, but not regular victims (burglary, etc) for theirs, is MIND-BOGGLING. Even is PALIN was a black woman, there's no WAY IN HELL she would get my vote.

[shutterfly]

Thank you WOMEN FOR OBAMA!! I really didn't even realize what was happening to me. As a status on my Facebook I said I was turning off CNN for my own good and someone sent me the link to this article. After reading through it I am empowered and happy to know that I am not alone. BARACK THE VOTE...if you did it early go volunteer! YES WE CAN win this election!