Political Anxiety Affects Us All: Here’s …

 

Let’s be real: tuning into the latest headlines or scrolling your feed during this political moment can feel like a punch to the gut. If you’ve noticed your stress levels rising, your mood dipping, or a persistent knot in your stomach from the political climate, you’re definitely not alone. Across the country, people are grappling with anxiety, worry, and even grief.

Here’s the truth: feeling overwhelmed right now is entirely normal. The nonstop stream of heated debates, policy shifts, and divisive rhetoric can wear on anyone. It can start to feel like it’s shaping your identity, safety, and sense of hope. That’s why it’s so important to create space for resilience, not to ignore what’s happening, but to protect your mental health so it doesn’t spiral under the weight of it all.

This blog is here to do more than just validate your emotions, it’s a resource to empower you, especially if you’re part of an underrepresented group struggling to find resilience amid the noise. Below, you’ll find practical ways to protect your peace, nurture your well-being, and tap into culturally competent GoodTherapy experts who understand exactly where you’re coming from.

Current Events Causing Widespread Political Stress

Trying to keep up with the U.S. political scene right now can feel like running a marathon with no finish line in sight. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, the back-and-forth and the real-world changes behind the headlines are hitting home in ways many of us can’t ignore

If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained, it’s a completely valid response. The mounting list of policy shifts isn’t just political jargon; it’s reshaping lives in real, often painful ways, especially for marginalized communities. Here’s just a snapshot of the realities many are navigating right now:

• Natural Disasters Drive Stress Higher: Catastrophic events like the recent floods in southern Texas have caused loss of life, widespread damage, and lasting mental health impacts. They also expose political tensions, as underfunded infrastructure and delayed emergency responses leave some communities feeling neglected or targeted.
• A Spike in Hate, Discrimination, and Violence: No matter where you land on the political spectrum, most people can agree that slurs and targeted violence are not okay. However, recent increases in hate crimes, racial slurs, and other violence against groups like Muslims, Jewish people, and other minority groups are taking a toll.
• Underrepresented Communities Are Losing Support: Recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program cuts and tariffs are placing Black farmers under new pressures, and federal funding for Black-led non-profits continues to shrink.
• LGBTQ+ and Other Groups Are Seeing Critical Funding Dry Up: When the NIH halted funding for LGBTQ+ health, gender identity, and research, it didn’t just cut programs, it left entire communities facing uncertainty and frustration.
• Women’s Health Is in the Crosshairs: New laws restricting reproductive services, contraceptives, and even routine health screenings are making it more challenging for women to get the care they need, fueling anxiety and frustration.
• Immigrants Face Uncertain, Harsher Realities: Recent crackdowns and shifting policies have left many immigrants, including those with clean records and proper documentation, feeling unsettled, questioning what “home” really means right now.

Widespread worry is evident, and the shared stress many feel isn’t imaginary: it’s a natural response to real, lived experiences in a climate that often feels unsteady. Because of this, acknowledging the mental and emotional weight so many carry is key for the healing, support, and care you need.

2025: The Year of Political Anxiety

There’s no denying that experiencing discrimination and a tense political climate can take a serious toll on your mental health. The stress, anxiety, and even grief many people are feeling right now isn’t just “in your head”: it’s a real, lived experience. But political burnout isn’t exclusive to any one group: recent numbers show nearly half of Gen Z, Millennials, and Baby Boomer populations are feeling it, too.

Maybe you’ve noticed your mind racing, a sense of restlessness, or an energy crash that makes even simple tasks feel impossible. Below are some anxiety and depression symptoms you might be experiencing:

• Excessive worry
• Restlessness
• Feeling on edge
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Other physical symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and digestive issues

If this list feels a little too familiar, you’re not alone and you’re not powerless. Naming political anxiety is a key first step toward caring for your mind and body. From there, support and effective strategies are within reach.

Strategies for Coping With Political Anxiety

While the recent political landscape has been triggering and upsetting for many people, there is hope: learning practical coping strategies to combatl grief and stress is critical for your emotional well-being. Try the following:

• Acknowledge your distress and don’t ignore your feelings
• Set realistic goals around news consumption so you can better understand your personal limits and avoid becoming overwhelmed
• Limit media time, and try to avoid doomscrolling in an unproductive way
• Lean on your community, chances are, friends, family, and others are navigating the same mental health challenges
• Find and create moments of joy: while it’s good to acknowledge negative feelings, making sure you make time to recognize happy moments can give you new perspectives

These coping strategies are great tools to use when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Still, professional help from culturally competent therapists can give you an added level of support and guidance so you can be resilient in the face of political stress. 

 

The Value of Culturally Competent Therapy Today

Political anxiety doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s deeply shaped by your unique experiences, identity, and how the world responds. The emotional toll of today’s climate can be heavy, especially for those navigating discrimination, marginalization, or the chronic stress of feeling unsafe or unseen. That’s why finding the right therapist matters.

If you’ve ever felt like your identity was misunderstood, minimized, or overlooked in a therapy session, it may be a sign the support wasn’t truly aligned with your lived experience. Culturally responsive therapists are trained to understand the nuances of race, culture, gender, sexuality, religion, and more, all the factors that shape how you experience the world.

Here’s why that kind of care is so essential right now:

• You feel genuinely heard and safe, which is foundational to healing.
• You can unpack the complex impact of systemic issues and discrimination without having to educate your therapist first.
• You get support that’s tailored to your life, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

In a political landscape that often feels unpredictable or hostile, having someone who truly understands your reality can be the difference between feeling alone and feeling empowered. If you’re ready to connect with a therapist who truly sees you, start with the GoodTherapy Help Me Find Care quiz. It asks a few key questions about your needs, preferences, and insurance to help match you with the right provider.

Navigate Political Stress With GoodTherapy

The U.S. political climate can feel relentless, especially for those facing discrimination or systemic barriers. From funding cuts and limited healthcare access to changes in immigration policy, the constant stream of difficult news can take an emotional toll.

But support is available. Culturally competent therapists and supportive communities like GoodTherapy can help you process what you’re feeling and build resilience. Prioritizing your mental health is one of the most powerful forms of self-care. Why wait to find support?

Read More: Want to Learn More About How Therapy Can Help? Explore More

Resources:

Capital B News: Black Farmers Brace for Trump’s Tariffs While Navigating USDA Office Closures

The Observer: Black-Led Organizations Vital to Economic Growth But Remain Underfunded: Report

The Association of American Universities: New Brief Finds NIH has Canceled $1.9 Billion in Grants

KFF Health News: Major Federal and State Funding Cuts Facing Planned Parenthood

Pew Research Center: Americans’ Views of Deportations

Forbes: Election Anxiety: 61% Say Presidential Election’s Impact on Mental Health Is Negative

Medium: Managing Political Anxiety: Simple Strategies for Coping

The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.