Living with an anxiety disorder means I’m often caught in a web of worry. I fret over things that most people don’t even consider—like whether my laugh is off or if my texts are bothering others. My concerns range from significant issues, such as my appearance and weight, to smaller ones, like whether my dog feels appreciated. Despite being on several medications, my anxiety can still disrupt my life, leaving me shaking, sweating, and sleepless.
Then, I stumbled upon a brilliant coping mechanism from a post by a mental health advocate named SarahJade, who has overcome her own struggles. It was so simple yet so effective that I felt compelled to give it a try.
Just moments after discovering SarahJade’s post, I looked in the mirror after getting dressed and thought, “I despise my body.” I paused and imagined those words in the voice of Donald Trump. In response, I said, “Get lost, Donald Trump.” Surprisingly, I felt a surge of empowerment right away.
I continued to use this method. As I lay beside my partner, I thought, “Ugh, my stomach looks awful.” Again, I paused. I replayed my negative thoughts in Trump’s voice and retorted, “You’re not my president, you orange-haired disaster.” The satisfaction I felt was remarkable.
However, I found that this tactic doesn’t work against vague, pervasive anxiety. You can’t just tell that kind of discomfort to go away because it feels amorphous and ungraspable. I attempted to picture Trump saying, “Everything is terrible,” and telling him to retreat, but instead, it felt like he was mocking me—so for those moments, I still rely on my prescribed medication.
But when it comes to tackling personal negativity, this approach is incredibly effective. I genuinely recommend trying it. When my kids snuggled up to me at bedtime, I often thought, “I’m going to ruin their lives with my issues.” I recognized that thought, replayed it as if it were coming from Trump, and exclaimed, “Get lost, you ignorant, bigoted disaster!” It felt liberating. I hugged my kids goodnight, feeling empowered.
I applied this strategy repeatedly whenever I worried about meeting deadlines, messaging my editor too much, or feeling insecure about my appearance. I found great enjoyment in crafting new insults aimed at the man who is, unfortunately, in charge.
While I contemplated switching gears and offering myself compliments in Barack Obama’s voice, I refrained. Overall, I noticed that I was able to drive away negativity more swiftly than usual, and it impacted me far less.
This should come as no surprise. My method is a playful variation of dialectical behavioral therapy’s Teflon Mind concept, where negative thoughts glide over you without sticking. It also aligns with cognitive behavioral techniques that emphasize recognizing and resisting negative thoughts. Mental health professionals agree: attributing your negative thoughts to Trump and telling him to get lost can genuinely have therapeutic benefits. In other words, it truly works!
And who better to direct our frustrations at than him? A friend of mine, Lily, aptly describes Trump as the Id of America made manifest.
Of course, I’m not giving up my anxiety meds or dismissing my healthcare providers. They are essential to my well-being. This isn’t a miracle solution, but I believe that if I practice this technique regularly, it could significantly benefit my mental health.
I never thought I’d express this sentiment, but thank you, Donald Trump. And by the way, your wall and your discriminatory policies can go to hell.
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Summary
In this article, Emma discusses her battle with anxiety and how an unconventional method of channeling negativity—by imagining Donald Trump as the source of her negative thoughts—has empowered her. This playful approach has provided her with a means to combat her insecurities and frustrations, contributing positively to her mental health.