I suspect that this is about perspective. I have actually not listened to NPR since the election. You are old enough to recall the Reagan years, they should have been terrifying too, but there wasn’t internet. Obviously this isn’t actually about the extrinsic factors listed, so you need to come up with a way to get out of your head. You don’t need any god, but you might try some really sweaty exercise, and if it is your thing, socialising with people. If you watch too much telly/screen/news, turn it off. Find something you like to do. Join some kind of group, do something that gives you self worth. The critique of finding echo chambers in the internet is really a thing IMO. If that is what you find yourself seeking, consider limiting that behaviour. Yoga classes don’t need to be $$. My local fitness center is full of people over 60 at all hours. There is nothing like making your heart pound out of your chest to help quieten the noise in your head. Try a spin class or similar.
If cute animals are your thing, I recommend r/aww and r/tippytaps
These make my days so much better.
You aren’t alone. I’m heartened by some things that have happened both locally and nationally on the political front. Being involved does help. Our neighborhood association was fighting a nearby development and even though we lost, I got such energy from all of us turning out and attending meetings and presenting our case.
My mother in law ( 90) has been living with the fear of turning on the news and seeing nuclear war. I feel for those of you, dealing with such toxic fear.
I believe there are sensible minds who would not allow that to happen,but I admit things look bleak.
Helpful for me- a private Facebook group created to let like minded people express political views honestly without alienating regular Facebook friends. This group of about 135 people has kept me sane.You are not alone.
I enjoyed “The Crown” as mentioned above.
Another distraction- reading " **A Year of Living Danishly- my twelve months unearthing the secrets of the worlds happier country" **which restored my faith in more humane societies, not perfect.
That book "the almost nearly perfect people: behind the myth of the Scandinavian utopia" dampened the glow a bit, but still distracted me in a good way.
Hallmark movies- actually watched a couple this weekend. Fantasy distraction.
The news is addicting.
No, you’re not alone. Some of what you’re feeling is undoubtedly caused by our screwy country right now, but that feeling of imminent doom is a red flag for anxiety disorder. Even if you can’t get therapy, you should ask your doc for a medication that specifically addresses the anxiety component. Some have good results with Ativan, but there are others out there.
I totally understand your loss of faith. Many in my circle were left reeling and wondered how God could have allowed the scenario we find ourselves in. Others thought God ordained the whole thing, which has led to all kinds of incivility and a questioning of one’s religious identity.
Yes, I am having great difficulty since the election. I’ve never felt this way in my life.
A mental health counselor I know told me that every one of her patients has expressed greater anxiety about current events We are not alone, my friends.
I am working on our massive quilting project for a women’s shelter. Creative work has always been a way for me to gain balance. I used to do voter registration when my kids were very young, and am considering doing it again. I’ve been leaning in to listen to others’ perspectives, even when the words are hard to hear.
I probably read too much news online, but I also go looking for the humorous commentary. One of S2’s high school football coaches is a journalist who has been making quite a name for himself lately. It’s been fun to watch him operate. (This was the only coach who “got” S2’s academic load and appreciated his college acceptances, so I have been a fan of his for a while.)
I have a couple of groups online that are safe for private political discussion, and that is really helpful. It’s a safe place to vent.
When I’m really feeling down, I crank up the soundtrack to Hamilton.
Self care, activism and the knowledge that I am not alone are what is keeping me sane.
I’ve buried myself in my work this year.
Unfortunately, my work is on the history of eugenics and how it intersects with racism, sexism, and xenophobia. If I had known when I started this program what the next few years would be like, I probably would have picked a different dissertation topic.
Emphatic YES. And I really think it is an appropriate reaction.
Hugs Hugs Hugs
I’m watching the beautiful rural sunrises and sunsets out where I live and trying to just appreciate my family and friends each and every day…
I’m not afraid, per se… but I’m very, very distressed. At times I have no hope.
When I hit bottom I reach out to the political group I joined right after the election. It so happens, I’m among the oldest members – most of them are women in their mid-late 30s, with small children.
And you know what? I regain hope. I feel so much energy in these women, they’re so smart, so funny, so committed – they juggle political activism, career, marriage and small kids. I am so impressed. When I look at them, I think… we’ll be OK. We’ll get through these dark days. We’re stronger than I fear.
So, poetsheart, feel free to reach out to us here… or maybe find your own group of amazing women, young or not 
Being proactive and busy is a pretty effective way to deal with dread. And you’ll make some fabulous friendships.
I’m surprised there have been as many responses as there have with only one person suggesting you talk to a mental health professional. I say this because what I read appeared more like depression and/or debilitating anxiety than it was someone looking for validation their worldview is under attack.
Or else it’s the rational way to feel given today’s political climate…
OP’s first post says “…But I would like to know how to restore my composure. I’m already on an antidepressant, and can’t afford the insurance co-pays for mental health counseling…”
There have already been good posts suggesting a meds re-evaluation. Therapy is currently unaffordable for the OP.
Definitely switch off TV and get off social media. I do it on my weekends and go back to work refreshed. (I would do it more than that but I really can’t.) It’s honestly NOT healthy these days.
Hobbies? Dive into them.
Outdoor activity or gym work - sweat out those frustrations! If there are yoga classes at the gym or the Y, those are great stress-relievers.
And probably the best one: Get outside your own head and help others. Worrying about the end of the world is all well and good, but it’s a first-world problem. Lots of people, maybe most, do not have that luxury.
Your fears are irrational. There’s only two, maybe three countries in the world with nuclear arsenals that could end life on earth and North Korea isn’t one of them.
I unplugged from Twitter. I miss the baseball feeds, but other Twitter feeds were causing too much stress.
Do you honestly think once nuclear weapons start detonating other powers won’t also feel compelled to drop their own indefense of their own interests? China and Russia, for instance? An attack upon North Korea could be seen as an attack against Communism itself. And what about our alias (assuming we haven’t so totally alienated them that they’ll be inclined to see us twist in the breeze.)? World Wars start from relatively small flashpoints. Then the cascade effect takes hold during the chaos of war. Promise me cooler heads will prevail and prevent the outbreak of World War III, roethlisburger.
OK, here’s a little bit of irony to cheer you - with all the Russian and Chinese money pouring into real estate in sought after American cities, they won’t want to bomb us. Hopefully this is one of the benefits of a global economy, we are all intertwined.
BTW, roethlisburger, you didn’t accurately quote me. I noted an unprecedented amount of heated rhetoric being exchanged between WASHINGTON and PYONGYANG. Bear in mind also that our State Dept. is operating in a historically weakened state, with many experienced and high level diplomats resigning in frustration over lack of support and inadequate staffing. This makes successful diplomacy far less likely, leaving military action (or doing nothing at all) the only other option. Don’t pretend “Little Rocket Man” is the only one with verbal intemperance.
I’ll make this my last post in this thread to avoid going down the political rabbit hole. Russia isn’t Communist anymore, and neither is China(at least not in any form that Mao would have recognized as Communism). So any concerns about **“an attack against Communism itself” ** are at least three decades out of date.