Evidently, the recount in Ohio has helped relieve some of the need for hypnotherapy among Kerry supporters . . . albeit, folks have been reporting a spike in stress-related issues as folks seek hypnotherapy after being shocked by the Bush-Kerry election results.

A few conservative commentators have even gone so far as to ridicule folks who seek out therapy because their candidate has lost . . . at least one disreputable loud-mouthed moronic mudslinging jerk (just from that description many of you know of whom I speak) went so far as to insult and deride these folks . . . hmmm . . . had the foot been in the other shoe?

This is the real deal. Some people invest a great deal of themselves into identifying with their chosen candidates. This can be particularly true with tight and hard-fought races.

We had the same difficulties here in Taiwan after the extremely narrow election results. There are still folks out there who feel their lives were shattered one way or another by the KMT loss. Had the results gone the other way around, there would be DPP supporters in therapy.

The US election results were certainly close – despite the electoral numbers – things were pretty tight and there certainly was no mandate, it was neck and neck the entire time. Many folks in both camps identified heavily with a personal and deep felt need for the results to be one way or another. It should not be a shocker that a number of these folks seek out therapeutic help when they find it difficult to deal with the loss and disillusionment.

At least these folks are seeking help . . . and hypnotherapy is certainly one viable way to deal with these issues . . . at least these folks are not sucking it all in to create a ball of rage that explodes at some inappropriate time in the future. They are learning coping skills and learning to get on with their lives. Rather than being ridiculed, they should be commended.

The election is over. It is done. It is now time for these folks to get on with their lives and to move on to other things. Yes, the Democrats should do some heartfelt thinking about positioning their candidates and how to handle Republican strategies related to the so-called neoconservatives and the religious right (without aping them). That’s all for tomorrow, not for yesterday.

In the meantime, those who are having difficulties do themselves, their loved ones, and others a service by being able to admit their difficulty and seeking out qualified and competent help. There is no weakness in seeking help, the true coward is the one who does not seek it when needed.