UC Davis psychiatrist offers insight into managing emotions tied to SCOTUS ruling on Roe v. Wade

AFTER WHAT HAS BEEN A STRESSFUL FEW YEARS, FOR SOME, NEWS OF ROE V. WADE BEING OVERTURNED IS BRINGING UP UP SOME INTENSE EMOTIONS. KCRA 3’S LEE ANNE DENYER SPOKE WITH WOMEN AND A PSYCHIATRIST WITH UC DAVIS HEALTH ABOUT HOW THE NEWS IS IMPACTING MANY. LEE ANNE: AS THE COUNTRY WRAPS ITS HEAD AROUND THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE, SOME WOMEN ARE FEELING RATTLED BY WHAT IT MEANS, AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. >> I THINK WORRYING FOR MY DAUGHTERS AND MY NIECES, AND SITUATIONS LIKE THAT, DEFINITELY AFFECTED ME. >> EVERYONE HAS BEEN UNDER SIGNIFICANT STRESS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. LEE ANNE: DR. ANGELA DRAKE IS A PSYCHIATRIST WITH U.C. DAVIS, SPECIALIZING IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. >> I THINK THERE’S SO MANY UNKNOWNS AT THIS POINT WITH THIS DECISION, NOT ONLY HOW IT’S GOING TO AFFECT PUBLIC POLICY AND HEALTH POLICY, BUT HOW IT’S GOING TO ROLL DOWN TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WOMEN ARE COUNTRY -- IN OUR COUNTRY, AND MEN, TOO, FOR THAT MATTER. LEE ANNE: DRAKE SAYS THE MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS REGARDING THE SCOTUS DECISION ARE WIDE-RANGING, AND MAY BE TRIGGERING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PERSONAL CONNECTIONS TO THE DECISION, BUT THAT MUCH OF THE STRESS ONE MAY FEEL ABOUT THE RULING, OR THE IMPLICATIONS OF IT, COMES BACK TO FEELINGS OF CONTROL. >> IT’S COMPLICATED, BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I KNOW, FROM LOTS STUDIES OF STRESS AND DISTRESS, IS THAT BY FIGURING OUT HOW WE GET A SENSE OF CONTROL OVER THE SITUATION CAN HELP LEAD US TO LESS DISTRESS. >> WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE A LOT OF THINGS ARE OK, THINGS THAT SHOULDN’T BE OK. THEN, WE COME ACROSS THINGS THAT SHOULD BE OK THAT AREN’T OK. I HAVE SIX GRANDKIDS. THOSE ARE BABIES THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE SITUATIONS. LEE ANNE: FOR SOME, THE RULING IS A DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT ONE THEY’RE TRYING TO STAY POSITIVE THROUGH. >> STAY POSITIVE. LOOK FOR THE POSITIVE IN LIFE. LEE ANNE: AND AS INFORMATION COMES IN, DR. DRAKE SAYS BE MINDFUL OF HOW YOU’RE FEELING, AND STAY AWARE AS TO HOW YOU’RE RECEIVING THE INFORMATION COMING IN EACH DAY. >> WE’RE DEALING WITH A LOT ON OUR PLATE RIGHT NOW. SO REALLY MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF US ENGAGE IN SELF-CARE, AND REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN WE’RE FEELING THAT FULLNESS, OR THAT OVERWHELMED FEELING, AND FINDING SOMEONE TO TALK TO WHO WILL SUPPORT YOU, NO MATTER WH

While some are celebrating the news of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, others are finding it to be another setback after a challenging few years. "I think that worrying for my daughters, and my nieces and situations like that definitely affected me," said Rose Hernandez, in downtown Sacramento on Tuesday. Dr. Angela Drake, a psychiatrist and neuropsychology expert with UC Davis, said the reactions following the ruling are going to be wide-ranging."Everybody has been under significant stress for an extended period of time," she said.Drake said that with the ruling comes with many unknowns at this point, and that it's unclear how the change will impact public policy, health policy and the mental wellness of everyday Americans. "A very profound change has happened and rights that have been given or been guaranteed, and taken for granted in many cases are gone suddenly for many women," she said. Drake said that for individuals who found the ruling distressing, finding a sense of agency and control will be helpful. "It's complicated, but I think one of the things I know from lots of studies of stress and distress is that by figuring out how we can get a sense of control over the situation can lead us towards less distress," she said.Drake encouraged anyone dealing with the stress of the news cycle, including Roe V. Wade and other headlines, to acknowledge when you’re feeling overwhelmed and to have someone to talk to about how you're feeling.

DAVIS, Calif. —

While some are celebrating the news of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, others are finding it to be another setback after a challenging few years.

"I think that worrying for my daughters, and my nieces and situations like that definitely affected me," said Rose Hernandez, in downtown Sacramento on Tuesday.

Dr. Angela Drake, a psychiatrist and neuropsychology expert with UC Davis, said the reactions following the ruling are going to be wide-ranging.

"Everybody has been under significant stress for an extended period of time," she said.

Drake said that with the ruling comes with many unknowns at this point, and that it's unclear how the change will impact public policy, health policy and the mental wellness of everyday Americans.

"A very profound change has happened and rights that have been given or been guaranteed, and taken for granted in many cases are gone suddenly for many women," she said.

Drake said that for individuals who found the ruling distressing, finding a sense of agency and control will be helpful.

"It's complicated, but I think one of the things I know from lots of studies of stress and distress is that by figuring out how we can get a sense of control over the situation can lead us towards less distress," she said.

Drake encouraged anyone dealing with the stress of the news cycle, including Roe V. Wade and other headlines, to acknowledge when you’re feeling overwhelmed and to have someone to talk to about how you're feeling.

UC Davis psychiatrist offers insight into managing emotions tied to SCOTUS ruling on Roe v. Wade

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