If you were to research Cognitive dissonance, I think you would find a lot of similarities to what we are currently seeing in our country. By definition, it describes mental stress or discomfort by an individual that holds two contradicting beliefs, values or attitudes.. This can occur when a persons long held beliefs are challenged by credible facts, and one tries to change facts to suit a belief. From everything I have read, having ones long held beliefs shattered is a traumatic experience, similar to losing a close loved one, and I can vouch for the mental anguish that caused me.