Coping With Trump Stress Disorder

It’s because of Donald Trump.  Writing in the February 19th New York Times, Frank Bruni observed that Trump is using an “appall-and-anesthetize political strategy.”  It’s easy to see this intellectually; every day we are beset by a new Trump outrage: lies, racism, blatant conflict-of-interest, or evidence of unsavory ties to Russian oligarchs.  In addition, for many Americans, Trump’s behavior provokes a searing visceral response; he is re-stimulating. Trump opens old wounds,  reminding us of an ancient oppressor: someone we encountered who was a bully or an abuser.