Psychologist says Romney's loss 'like a death' for some
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By Amy Lange Fox 2 News Reporter
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WJBK) -- The re-election of President Barack Obama was a hard-fought victory for Democrats coupled with an equally hard loss for Republicans who believed Mitt Romney would win.
"To a certain extent, this is like a death. It's like a death or it's like a divorce. It's a major loss," said Dr. Howard Belkin.
The psychologist says people will go through the grieving process -- surprise, shock, anger and denial, then acceptance.
But it's clear from a glance at Twitter or Facebook many people aren't there yet.
"I am crying now," posted one person.
"It's hopeless," wrote another.
"Is this the worst thing that could happen," asked one young man.
"Sad day America." "Hope you bought guns now." "Stock up on your food."
We all have friends, family or coworkers too upset to even go to work today. Then there is the racist, anti-Obama graffiti spray painted on the fountain at Grand Circus Park. Are we just too deeply divided to heal?
"The election's over. One party won. The other party lost. We have closure on that now. It's really time to get back to our regular lives," Belkin said.
He recommends getting back to your routine -- kids, work, school, friends and family -- and he says go back and clean up your social media.
"Read what you wrote last night and selectively delete the things that you really don't want to have there anymore. I think that could save a lot of relationships. That could also probably save a lot of reputations, also."
The doctors says there's a message here for those who won. Don't gloat. Just be gracious.
"It's time to be both good winners and good losers."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:17 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:17:22 GMT
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino.
We are learning more about the past of the man currently in police custody in connection with the murder of 35-year-old Sabrina Gianino. 42-year-old Myron Williams is on probation in Michigan for a drug paraphernalia charge. He also has quite a past in Louisiana.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:09:21 GMT
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan.
Kerry Kennedy has joined farmworkers protesting outside Wendy's shareholder meeting in Manhattan. The protesters said Thursday they want Wendy's to sign an agreement to safeguard working conditions for Florida tomato pickers.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:06 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:06:33 GMT
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Authorities say two New York City men and a New Jersey man kidnapped another man off a Queens street in broad daylight and held him for over a month, demanding $3 million from his family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:07:03 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:05 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:05:21 GMT
Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt made a trip to the birthplace of Frank Sinatra on Wednesday night to promote his new movie, "World War Z."
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Thursday, May 23 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:23:09 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Friday, November 9 2012 1:12 PM EST2012-11-09 18:12:21 GMT
A White House official says President Barack Obama is inviting Congressional leaders of both parties to the White House next week for talks on how to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
A White House official says President Barack Obama is inviting Congressional leaders of both parties to the White House next week for talks on how to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 10:02 PM EST2012-11-08 03:02:16 GMT
Sometimes the Election Day projections are wrong. Republican Kerry Bentivolio was declared the winner of the partial term left by Thaddeus McCotter in the 11th District, but not so fast.
Sometimes the Election Day projections are wrong. Republican Kerry Bentivolio was declared the winner of the partial term left by Thaddeus McCotter in the 11th District, but not so fast.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 9:27 PM EST2012-11-08 02:27:26 GMT
"To a certain extent, this is like a death. It's like a death or it's like a divorce. It's a major loss," said Dr. Howard Belkin.
The re-election of President Barack Obama was a hard-fought victory for Democrats coupled with an equally hard loss for Republicans who believed Mitt Romney would win. "It's like a death or it's like a divorce," said Dr. Howard Belkin.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 8:30 PM EST2012-11-08 01:30:20 GMT
In a letter to Governor Rick Snyder before the election, Roy Roberts threatened to step down if Proposal 1 failed, but Roberts is now backtracking saying he will stay at his post.
In a letter to Governor Rick Snyder before the election, Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts threatened to step down if Proposal 1 failed, but Roberts is now backtracking saying he will stay at his post.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 7:28 PM EST2012-11-08 00:28:37 GMT
Kerry Bentivolio is the newly elected congressman for the sprawling 11th District. The seat formerly occupied by Thaddeus McCotter is now his and he's ready to go to Washington.
Kerry Bentivolio is the newly elected Republican congressman for the sprawling 11th District. The seat formerly occupied by disgraced Congressman Thaddeus McCotter is now his and he's ready to go to Washington.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 6:37 PM EST2012-11-07 23:37:07 GMT
Proposal M passed with flying colors with more than 60 percent of Detroit voters in favor.
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The victorious president said all the right things. He pushed all the right buttons as he launched into the next four years hoping for more bipartisan cooperation then he got in the last.
The victorious president said all the right things. He pushed all the right buttons as he launched into the next four years hoping for more bipartisan cooperation then he got in the last.
Wednesday, November 7 2012 5:01 PM EST2012-11-07 22:01:38 GMT
All major news agencies across the U.S project President Barack Obama as the winner in the presidential race, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
Barack Obama has defeated his Republican challenger despite a bitterly contested election that had the U.S. president's supporters fearful he was doomed to a single term.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:28:22 GMT
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
One week after appearing via satellite on the American Idol season finale the Queen of Soul has rescheduled next month's planned performance at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:48:50 GMT
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction.
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is dropping his longtime lawyer. Kilpatrick told a judge Thursday that his relationship with James Thomas deteriorated long before his conviction two months ago on corruption charges.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:59 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:59:53 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
