For all of the hyperbole about Rob being a fighter, I can't imagine he is dealing with this well at all. He's spent years cultivating a teenage sense of denial and invincibility. His main method of dealing with unpleasantness is bluster and escapism.
Despite his apparent sudden transformation into Saint Robbicus of Torontonia, he is not likely to sprout healthy coping mechanisms. His family, who believe Rob goes crazy twiddling his thumbs when he isn't the mayor, isn't helping things by encouraging him to stay in the race. How about giving the monkey a break? It's likely that he will be returning to old vices, such as alcohol and binge eating, so long as he is feeling physically up to it.