It is objectively accurate to say that we live in a political climate with a lot of anxiety. This is not politics as usual, and – regardless of one’s political side – it is becoming increasingly challenging to stay connected to what is going on in the world and still feel like your mental health is in a good place.
It is also becoming more and more common for people to seek therapists because of this political anxiety. Though they may or may not recognize that their anxiety is directly related to politics, often in conversation it becomes clear that there politics is directly affecting their mental health.
If you are also struggling, maybe it’s time for you to think about whether or not it might help to work with a therapist to process politics, your role in it, and what you can do to still lead your best possible life without compromising your passions or values.
Therapy for Politics
You don’t have to disengage. You don’t have to pretend that the world is fine when it isn’t. You also don’t have to – as many people recommend – act as though the people with different politics from you are all fighting for the same thing. Political anxiety exists because we are not all working towards the same goals as a country, or as a world.
You are allowed to feel.
In therapy, the goal is to create a space where you can safely explore these reactions without judgment. A therapist can help you identify the emotions that come up when you read the news, engage in discussions, or think about societal change, and then work with you on how to respond in a way that protects your mental health.
What Political Anxiety Can Look Like
Political anxiety does not always appear as anger or fear. It can present itself through physical tension, insomnia, fatigue, or emotional burnout. Many people find that they are:
- Constantly checking or avoiding the news
- Feeling hopeless or cynical about change
- Experiencing conflict in relationships because of political differences
- Struggling to focus on personal goals or responsibilities
- Feeling disconnected or powerless in their community
These feelings are not signs of weakness or disengagement — they are natural responses to a prolonged sense of uncertainty and – perhaps even more importantly – overstimulation.
How Therapy Helps You Regain Balance
Working with a therapist provides structure and tools to manage emotional reactions to political events. Rather than suppressing how you feel, therapy helps you understand those feelings and decide how to respond to them more effectively. Together, you and your therapist might:
- Establish boundaries around media exposure and social interactions.
- Address issues like digital overload.
- Determine how to avoid social media algorithm-related distress.
- Identify triggers that heighten your stress or anger.
- Practice emotional regulation and grounding techniques.
- Develop strategies for staying informed without becoming consumed.
- Explore your values and identify meaningful, realistic ways to take action.
Through this process, therapy allows you to engage with the world intentionally, not reactively – maintaining your commitment to your beliefs while preserving your emotional stability.
Reclaiming a Sense of Control and Wellbeing
Political awareness does not have to mean living in a constant state of anxiety. With the right therapeutic support, you can reconnect with a sense of agency, compassion, and perspective. Therapy can help you shift from feeling powerless in the face of conflict to feeling grounded, thoughtful, and capable of contributing to change in a sustainable way.
If the weight of the current political climate feels too heavy, reaching out to a therapist may be one of the most meaningful ways to take care of yourself – not by tuning out the world, but by learning how to navigate it with strength and balance. Reach out to Flourish Psychology today to learn more.