Recently a very dear friend popped into my office, speaking passionately about her deep concern for her children and for everyone in our country. She shared how she and her children are experiencing extreme stress as a result of being bombarded by the myriad of news stories describing all the insanity going on in our country due to the whirlwind of policy changes and confusing executive orders that seem to threaten the very foundation of our country’s values.
There is a lot of evidence that my friend’s concerns are felt by a large number of us. I know every time I open my computer there are dozens of stories posted with provocative headlines – Trump gets brutal fact check about judge who ruled against him; Trump Trashes His Own ‘Distorted’ CO Portrait, Blames ‘Radical Left’; Postal workers rally in Syracuse protesting the privatization of the U.S. Postal Service; Sen. Bernie Sanders Storms Out of Interview After This ‘Nonsense’ Question. These are examples of what popped up just today when I just wanted to check my email! All of these are written to entice us to open the whole article which can once again stir up our anxiety.
According to the website Black Doctor, “With ongoing political turmoil, violent protests, and deepening national divisions, many Americans are struggling with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty about the future. The recent surge in political unrest—whether it’s mass protests, election-related conspiracies, or political violence—has led to heightened levels of stress across the country. People are asking: How did we get here? Why is our country so divided? Is this the new normal? How do we move forward as a nation? How do we protect our mental health amid this chaos?
A growing body of research has tracked the detrimental impacts of political instability on broad segments of the American population—from young adults to the elderly, men and women, and racial and LGBTQ+ communities. The results are alarming.
The American Psychological Association’s annual “Stress in America” report has consistently shown that political and social uncertainty are major sources of stress.
This stress has even led to a recognized phenomenon: Political Anxiety Disorder—a term used by mental health professionals to describe the fear, anger, and helplessness people feel when faced with ongoing political instability.”
According to the American Psychological Association in their article, “Is Political Anxiety Harming Your Health?“
“77% of U.S. adults said the future of our nation was a significant source of stress in their lives. Research shows the distress we feel around politics can harm our physical and mental health—and it’s only getting worse. In 2016, the presidential election caused significant stress for 52% of adults—this year, that number jumped to 69%. Additionally, many U.S., adults said they were worried that the election results could lead to violence (74% of respondents) or that the 2024 election could be the end of democracy in the U.S. (56% of respondents).”
I found the following article written by psychiatrist Peter Quarryon on Financial Review, to be very helpful: Trump Anxiety Disorder is Real, Says this Shrink:
“Another way to feel calmer is to take the long view. Yes, we are in a major crisis now, but we’ve been here before, and got through those times intact.
One hundred years ago, the world suffered a major depression with massive unemployment. During the 1950s, McCarthy and his anti-communist crusade spread fear and paranoia throughout the US. A decade later, divided opinions about the Vietnam War sparked mass violent protests. Let’s not forget the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the hyper-angst they generated!”
Peter Quarry goes on to suggest an important What-To-Do list:
“Many experts recommend a healthier media diet, by redirecting our attention to positive news stories, limiting our time doomscrolling through social media feeds, and switching off our device for set periods.”
I would add that we should keep in mind that our worrying about the current situation does not do anything to help it. We can do things like contact our local, state and national representatives to voice your concerns. Then we need to step away from social media and refuse to get sucked into a pattern of reading so much about all the terrible things that are happening. Think about what gives you joy, what energizes you, what gives you peace. Put your energy into these. I believe this is how we all, myself included, can reclaim our power to care for ourselves and in doing so, can model it for our families and friends.
Invitation for Reflection
- What was your emotional reaction to this information? Does it make sense to you?
- What specifically do you need to do to make the necessary changes to limit your exposure to today’s social media?
- Who in your world can you encourage to do likewise?
Diane Wagenhals
Director Emeritus, Lakeside Global Institute