Political Anxiety and Mental Health
Political anxiety extends beyond being just an individual issue, reaching a societal dimension
Political stress refers to different stressors and tensions we may experience due to our political climate. This can include worrying about the future of our country, worrying about our safety or the safety of others, and experiencing conflicts within our relationships due to differing political views. Political stress affects people in many ways, and research shows that it can harm mental health and overall well-being. It can cause anxiety, sadness, and sleep problems. Some people feel hopeless or lose trust in others; others may feel angry or frustrated. Political stress does not only affect individuals; it can also change relationships and communities. It can create divisions between people and make them feel lonely. In the American Psychological Association’s 2024 Stress in America survey, political concerns emerged as the leading source of stress, negatively impacting both mental and physical health for a significant portion of the population (Abrams, 2024). Understanding political stress is important because it helps people find ways to manage it and protect their mental health. In this mini sketch, we will explore political stress and how that affects our mental health and well-being.
Political Stress and Anxiety
Global political events and political uncertainty can exert significant psychological pressure on individuals' lives. The effects of this situation on mental health are being increasingly studied, with suggestions that it may contribute to the development of various psychological disorders. According to data from the APA’s 2024 Stress In America survey, 77% of American adults said the future of their country was a source of anxiety for them. Additionally, 52% of respondents stated that the 2016 election caused significant stress in their lives. This increased to 69% during the 2024 election, which indicates that politics not only have a significant negative effect on our mental health, but that effect is also worsening.
Political anxiety refers to the intense and overwhelming feelings of dread, uncertainty, fear, and worry we experience about the state of our political climate. This occurs when we are constantly exposed to high levels of political stress. While some people argue that political anxiety is just a symptom of generalized anxiety, research suggests that the two are different. In fact, one study found that many people who experience political anxiety do not experience generalized anxiety. Further, another study found that 1 in 20 American adults reported that political anxiety caused suicidal thoughts. Political anxiety, a form of chronic stress, differs from general anxiety in its specific impact on emotional health and social cohesion (Abrams, 2024).
Politics and Mental Health
Politics is an important part of daily life. It affects laws, policies, and thus society we live in. It is common for every member of society to follow political news, discuss issues, and vote in elections. However, politics can also cause stress and anxiety. Many people worry about the future of their country or feel frustrated when they see unfair decisions. Psychological research indicates that politics can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health, although positive political engagement can enhance overall well-being (Abrams, 2024). The studies show the impacts of politics on our mental health as follows:
In a recent study that aimed to search the impact of politics on our mental health, researchers found that political stress can cause anxiety, fatigue, and even depression. Many people report losing sleep and feeling mentally drained due to politics (Yousafzai, 2022).
The current sociopolitical climate has led to much stress, uncertainty, fear, hopelessness, anger, grief, and depression in many people across the country (and throughout the world). With each day, there is new information that can threaten our sense of safety and well-being. And, research suggests that communities that are marginalized might be most affected.
In another study, researchers found that political disagreements, especially online, can increase stress. People who are active in political discussions on social media often experience higher levels of stress (Hisam et al., 2017).
Political polarization makes stress worse. Another study made in 2022 revealed that when people see politics as a battle between opposing sides, it can make them feel frustrated and helpless (Smith, 2022).
Stress from politics can even affect physical health. Some studies found that people who are emotionally involved in political debates show higher stress hormone levels (Yousafzai, 2022).
Managing Political Anxiety
If you are experiencing political anxiety, setting boundaries can be a helpful buffer against the effects of political anxiety.
Setting Boundaries with Yourself: One of the most effective ways to manage political stress and anxiety is to set limits on your media consumption and to avoid “doom scrolling.”
Setting Boundaries with Others: Disengaging from triggering conversations and avoiding venting sessions can be very helpful. Even the most well-intended venting sessions can be triggering or overwhelming.
Connecting with your community or creating a community of people you feel safe with can also buffer the effects of politics of mental health:
Spend Intentional Time with Loved Ones: This can be anything from a casual hang out, a joint hobby, or even something lower stakes like a short phone or video call. Spending time with the people you care about can be both a distraction and a burst of optimism.
Get Involved: For some people getting involved in activism helps with political anxiety because they can connect with like-minded individuals, and they can feel hopeful and empowered to make change.
In addition to connecting with others and setting boundaries, reshaping the way we think about politics can be another way that we can manage our mental health when dealing with politics:
Identify what you cannot control and focus on what you can control.
Challenge unhelpful beliefs or thoughts such as hopelessness.
Identify triggering or “hot buzzer” topics.
Practice gratitude.
Manage urges to do unhelpful coping skills, such as doom scrolling.
Practice mindfulness to manage spikes in anxiety.
Uncertainty in politics and societal polarization can have profound effects on individuals' mental health. These effects can have serious consequences both on an individual level and within the broader society.
Reducing the impact of political anxiety requires not only individual but also societal responsibility. In this context, considering the polarizing effects of both social media and traditional media, it is crucial for media outlets to operate in a more responsible manner. At the same time, societal efforts to increase empathy and campaigns to strengthen psychological resilience can serve as interventions that may help mitigate political anxiety. Additionally, to effectively manage political anxiety, government policies must be shaped with consideration for the mental health of communities. As political environments can pose significant threats to mental health, increasing awareness and developing solutions in this regard is of great importance.
On the other hand, teaching individuals healthy coping strategies for dealing with political anxiety and expanding access to mental health support can be beneficial. Psychological support plays a critical role, particularly for individuals under high stress. On a personal level, strategies such as meditation, physical exercise, and maintaining social connections can strengthen overall mental well-being.
In conclusion, political anxiety extends beyond being just an individual issue, reaching a societal dimension. Addressing this problem requires collective effort at both the individual and societal levels. Given that mental health is a fundamental pillar for the overall well-being of societies, the interaction between political processes and societal mental health should be further studied, and a comprehensive solution strategy should be developed.
Takeaways
Continuous exposure to political instability, media sensationalism, and societal polarization can cause heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Individuals who are more sensitive to political events may experience negative mental health outcomes, such as increased worry and emotional exhaustion.
Certain demographic groups, including young people, women, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, may be more vulnerable to the psychological impacts of political anxiety. The stress caused by political uncertainty can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions and lead to feelings of powerlessness or alienation.
It's essential to implement coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, physical activity, and social connections to manage political anxiety. Additionally, promoting access to mental health resources, providing community support, and fostering political empathy can help mitigate the mental health risks associated with political stress.
References
Yousafzai, A. (2022). Political polarization and its impact on mental health. KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
Hisam, A., Safoor, I., Khurshid, N., Aslam, A., Zaid, F., & Muzaffar, A. (2017). Is political activism on social media an initiator of psychological stress? Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 33(6), 1463-1467.
Smith, K. B. (2022). Politics is making us sick: The negative impact of political engagement on public health during the Trump administration. PLoS ONE, 17.
Abrams, Z. (2024). The impact of election stress: Is political anxiety harming your health? https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/10/managing-political-stress
Flaskerud JH, Lesser J. The Current Socio-Political Climate and Psychological Distress Among Transgender People. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2018 Jan;39(1):93-96. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2017.1368751. Epub 2017 Oct 13. PMID: 29028362.
Hope, E. C., Velez, G., Offidani-Bertrand, C., Keels, M., & Durkee, M. I. (2017). Political activism and mental health among Black and Latinx college students. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 24(1), 26–39. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000144
Weinschenk A, Smith K. Is political anxiety different than general anxiety? Politics and the Life Sciences. 2024;43(2):226-234. doi:10.1017/pls.2024.6
Smith, K. B. (2022). Politics is making us sick: The negative impact of political engagement on public health during the Trump administration. PLoS ONE, 17(1), e0262022. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262022
Stress in America 2024. (2024). In https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2024