GREENSBORO, N.C. — Emotions are still running high after last week's election. Experts say reactions can range from happiness and pride to disappointment and fear. 

What You Need To Know

  • Emotions are still running high after the presidential election last week
  • Experts say those emotions range from happiness and pride to disappointment and fear 
  • Dr. Nannette Funderburk of Greensboro says negative emotions from the election can lead to anxiety and depression

Dr. Nannette Funderburk, a psychotherapist in Greensboro, says negative emotions from the election can lead to anxiety and depression.

“For those who are not feeling great after the election, you’ve probably experienced difficult times in the past,” she said. “What did you do during those times? What worked during those times and what didn’t work during those times?” 

Funderburk says if you can have a respectful conversation with your family about the election, then do so. But if you can’t, avoid discussions that may lead to a heated conversation, she says.

“You’re not going to change a mind by getting in that one last point or one last jab, so that’s when you back off and say you know what, I’m just going to talk about the dinner,” she said.

Funderburk says there are healthy ways to have conversations about the outcome of the election without tensions rising.

“If you are Democrat, peer over to the Republican side, and if you are Republican, peer over to the Democratic side, and step in it just for a moment and allow yourself to see what is it that the person likes or benefits from that side and what are the threats,” she said.