CLEVELAND — According to experts, Election Stress Disorder may be a real thing anecdotally, but according to the American Psychological Association, (APA) Election Stress Disorder is not a recognized disorder or diagnosis.
However, Cleveland Clinic sleep specialist, Michelle Drerup, PsyD says she's seeing plenty of cases of it.
"I've been in the sleep field about 20 years now and this was not even anything that ever was on my radar initially in the those first years. And it typically exacerbates and worsens in people that already have sleep difficulties," Dr. Drerup said.
In the last eight years, she's started seeing more and more patients coming in with election related sleep disorders that generally worsen the closer we get to election day.
"People who tend to be more anxious or worriers in general are probably more susceptible to this as well as people who are kind of checking their social media or news constantly," Dr. Drerup said.
According to APA 69% of Americans surveyed are stressed over the upcoming presidential election, an issue that's been climbing since 2016.
Simple things you can do to alleviate that stress. Stop doom scrolling, especially before bed.
"Limit exposure in our 24 hour news world especially in the hour or two before bedtime," Dr. Drerup said.
The issue is impacting men and women equally and from Dr. Drerup's perspective the impact on sleep is bipartisan too.