Living with an anxiety disorder can feel like a never-ending cycle of worry. I find myself stressing over trivial matters that most people wouldn’t even bat an eye at — from the sound of my laugh to whether my messages are bothering others. My larger concerns, like body image and self-worth, loom over me constantly, while smaller worries nag, such as whether my dog feels appreciated. Despite taking multiple medications, anxiety still creeps in, leaving me shaken and sleepless.
However, I recently stumbled upon an intriguing coping mechanism that came from a brave individual named JamieSky, who shared her experiences as a survivor of an eating disorder on social media. I was instantly captivated by her idea — it felt like a game changer for managing mental health.
Eager to try it out, I put this technique to the test almost immediately. After getting dressed and catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, the thought “I hate my body” flashed through my mind. But instead of succumbing to that negativity, I reimagined those words in Donald Trump’s voice and retorted, “Screw you, Donald Trump.” Just like that, I felt a rush of empowerment and moved on with my day.
I continued using this approach. Lying in bed next to my partner, I thought, “Ugh, I can’t stand my stomach; it’s so jiggly.” Once again, I paused to recognize the negativity. I played the words back in Trump’s voice and responded, “You’re not my president, you self-absorbed, orange-hued troll.” The satisfaction of dismissing those thoughts was exhilarating, and I snuggled my partner feeling like a total badass.
This tactic didn’t, however, work for all types of anxiety. When I faced that overwhelming, intangible dread, no amount of cursing at Trump helped. It was as if his voice was mocking me instead of fading away. For those feelings, I found that a prescribed Xanax does wonders.
But when it comes to personal negative self-talk, venting at Trump is incredibly liberating. I found myself thinking, “I’m going to ruin my kids’ lives with my issues,” and once again transformed that into an insult directed at him. “Forget you, you ignorant, egotistical fool.” And just like that, I felt lighter. I embraced my children, kissed them goodnight, and walked away feeling empowered.
I used this technique repeatedly throughout my day — worrying about a looming book review, fearing I was bothering my editor with messages, or questioning if I was supportive enough as a parent. I even toyed with the idea of giving myself compliments in Barack Obama’s voice, but decided to stick with my current strategy.
It’s no surprise that this method resonates. This approach can be compared to Teflon Mind, a strategy in dialectical behavioral therapy where negative thoughts glide over you without sticking. It also shares similarities with cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on recognizing and reframing negative thoughts. Mental health professionals agree that assigning blame to Trump and telling him to “get lost” can have real therapeutic benefits.
This isn’t a miracle cure, and I’m not about to discard my anxiety medications — I still rely on them. But practicing this method regularly could lead to significant improvements in my mental well-being.
I never thought I’d express gratitude toward Trump, but here we are. And, by the way, screw your wall and your misguided policies.
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In summary, channeling frustration at an appropriate target can be a surprisingly effective tool for managing anxiety. By reframing negative thoughts in a humorous way, we can gain a sense of control and empowerment over our mental health.