Examples

wild with desperation

绝望得发狂 → wild

In the desperation of elections however, calculating politicians will often play the race card.

但如果选举结果让人绝望，精明的政客就会打出民族主义这张牌。

in {or} out of (sheer) desperation

处于/出于(完全的)绝望 → desperation

to drive sb mad/to desperation

逼得某人发疯/绝望 → drive

横下一条心

resolve to do sth. in desperation → 横心