The Weight of the World: Navigating Political Anxiety in Trump’s America

The weight settled on Maya’s chest every morning before she even opened her eyes. The first thing she reached for wasn’t her coffee, but her phone, scrolling through an endless stream of headlines—executive orders, court rulings, protests, unrest. By the time she got out of bed, her stomach was tight, her breathing shallow, her mind already locked in battle with a day she hadn’t even begun.

“I feel like I can’t turn away,” she admitted in therapy, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “If I stop paying attention, what if something happens? What if my rights disappear overnight?”

Maya isn’t alone. In the early months of President Trump’s second term, the country is experiencing what many mental health professionals describe as political-induced trauma—a constant, low-level dread that settles into the body and mind like a chronic illness. The American Psychological Association’s (APA) 2024 Stress in America survey found that 77% of adults identified the future of the nation as a significant source of stress. That number had already been climbing since 2016, but now, with policy rollbacks targeting LGBTQ+ protections, reproductive rights, and immigration, the stress isn’t just hypothetical—it’s deeply personal.

The Rise of ‘Trump Anxiety Disorder’

The term “Trump Anxiety Disorder” first surfaced in 2017, when therapists began noticing a pattern: increased panic attacks, obsessive news-checking, disrupted sleep, and heightened conflict in relationships, all tied to political developments.

“I see it every day in my practice,” said Dr. Steven Stosny, a psychologist specializing in stress-related disorders. “People describe a sense of doom, an inability to focus on anything but what’s happening politically. Their relationships are suffering, their mental health is deteriorating, and yet they feel guilty if they try to disengage because they equate it with apathy.”

This isn’t just anecdotal. Studies show that political stress affects physical health as well. In diary studies, participants who followed political events closely reported increased emotional reactivity, higher blood pressure, and even worsened immune responses. A 2022 study in PLOS ONE found that politics had a direct impact on well-being, leading to lost sleep and social withdrawal.

The Impact on Marginalized Communities

For marginalized communities, the stakes are even higher. When policies threaten your right to exist freely—to access healthcare, to marry, to immigrate without fear—political anxiety becomes personal. A recent APA report found that LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and women seeking reproductive care reported significantly higher stress levels during politically turbulent periods.

“We’re not just watching politics happen,” said Dr. Shevaun Neupert, a professor at North Carolina State University. “For many people, this isn’t an abstract debate. It’s survival.”

How Do We Cope Without Checking Out?

This is the paradox: How do we protect our mental health without disengaging from the world around us? How do we stay aware without becoming consumed?

Dr. Brett Ford, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto, has been researching this balance. After the 2016 election, she conducted a study on how people coped with political loss. She found that those who used cognitive reappraisal techniques—reframing their stress in a constructive way—had better emotional outcomes.

“The challenge,” Ford says, “is that when people feel better, they often disengage. And when people are highly engaged, they’re often drowning in stress.”

So the question becomes: can we stay engaged in ways that empower us instead of breaking us?

Maya’s Story: Shifting from Panic to Purpose

For Maya, this meant restructuring her relationship with news consumption. Instead of scrolling endlessly, she set time limits. Instead of passively absorbing information, she joined a local advocacy group, which allowed her to take action rather than sit in helplessness. Instead of arguing in circles online, she focused on building connections with people who shared her values.

And most importantly, she gave herself permission to rest.

“I had to remind myself that this fight isn’t just today,” she said. “It’s lifelong. And I can’t fight if I’m completely drained.”

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty

The stress of living in politically volatile times isn’t going away. The APA warns that long-term political stress can have lasting effects on mental health, particularly if people feel like they have no control over their circumstances.

But control isn’t always about the outcome. Sometimes, it’s about where we put our energy.

As Ford puts it, “Politics isn’t just about what happens in Washington. It’s about communities. It’s about how we take care of each other. And that’s something we can all do, no matter what’s happening in the news.”

For Maya, and for so many others navigating this political reality, the answer isn’t to give up. It’s to engage differently—to shift from fear-driven panic to action-driven resilience. To recognize that self-preservation isn’t apathy—it’s a strategy.

And perhaps most importantly, to remember that in moments of darkness, taking care of ourselves is also a radical act.

How are you navigating the stress of today’s political climate without losing yourself in it?

Need support navigating political stress? Or supporting your clients? Reach out now

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