Are Politics Impacting Your Mental Health?

Learn how politics can hurt your mental health and how trauma therapy can help

As we navigate the current political landscape, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the events unfolding in the United States are stirring deep emotions. For many, these feelings are not just reactions to what is happening right now but also extensions of unhealed wounds from the past—wounds that may stem from personal experiences, generational trauma, or collective societal struggles. Some of the feelings you're having might feel familiar, though on the surface, don't seem at all connected. This can be confusing and frustrating during a time where you might feel like you have little control, you feel emotionally exhausted, and not sure what to believe or who to trust. These are common experiences of many people right now who know that politics are impacting their mental health in some way, but don't know what to do.

The ways we respond to today’s challenges are often informed by experiences from our past. Whether it’s fear, anger, grief, or a sense of betrayal, these emotions don’t exist in isolation; they are deeply connected to the ways we’ve been shaped by our past relationships, our communities, and our history. By understanding the connection between past wounds and present reactions, we can start engaging with our emotions in a more compassionate and healing way.

Unpacking the Emotional Responses to Current Events

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of emotions stirred by everything that's going on in the country and in the world - no matter your political leaning. Many of us feel like our nervous systems are in a constant state of activation—fluctuating between fight, flight, or freeze in response to news, policy changes, or cultural shifts. While this may feel like a new experience for some, the truth is that many of these responses have deep roots.

For example, people who grew up in unstable or invalidating environments may find that political turmoil triggers old feelings of powerlessness or distrust. Someone who has experienced betrayal in relationships may be particularly activated by leaders or authority figures who seem dishonest or manipulative. Individuals with a history of marginalization or discrimination may feel a deep sense of retraumatization when policies reinforce systemic inequalities.

These responses make sense. They are part of our survival mechanisms, designed to protect us from harm. However, when left unexamined, they can also keep us trapped in cycles of fear and reaction. Recognizing where these responses come from is the first step toward healing.

Attachment Wounds and Relational Ruptures in the Political Arena

One of the most profound ways in which unhealed wounds show up is through attachment wounds—early experiences that shape how we trust, connect, and feel safe in the world. When these attachment wounds go unaddressed, they influence how we relate not just to individuals, but also larger entities like government bodies and societal structures.

For instance, if someone grew up feeling unseen or dismissed, they might react strongly to political figures who they perceive as disregarding their needs. If someone has a history of being in relationships where they were gaslit or manipulated, they may feel a visceral reaction to public figures who use similar tactics. Likewise, if someone’s early experiences involved feeling helpless in the face of authority, political overreach or corruption might trigger those same feelings of powerlessness.

Relational ruptures—times when trust is broken in relationships—also shape how we engage with politics. The deep divisions we see today, where people feel alienated from family members or entire communities over political beliefs, are extensions of these ruptures. The pain of being unheard or misunderstood can feel just as raw in the political realm as it does in personal relationships.

Now, this does not dismiss the very real concerns that many have about the political sphere...

It's important to acknowledge that the concerns people have about the current administration and the state of the country are real. The uncertainty surrounding democracy, human rights, economic stability, and national leadership is not imaginary, nor should it be dismissed as purely emotional reactivity.

Holding space for both truths—our personal emotional histories and the real concerns of the present—allows us to move beyond either/or thinking. It is not a matter of either being “too sensitive” or being completely rational; rather, it is about integrating emotional awareness with reality-based understanding.

This is where therapy and self-reflective work become invaluable. Instead of reacting solely from a place of fear or outrage, we can start to slow down, process what is being triggered within us, and discern how we want to engage with the world. This might mean taking action, setting boundaries, or simply giving ourselves the grace to rest when the weight of everything feels too much. When our mental health is being impacted by politics, stepping back and exploring all that is being activated within us can bring us a new sense of power and control during times where that all feels absent.

Healing as an Individual and Collective Process

The good news is that healing is possible—not just on an individual level but on a collective one. When we begin to do the inner work of recognizing how past wounds shape our reactions, we can start to engage in the world with more intentionality.

Some ways to begin this healing process include:

• Practicing self-awareness: Notice when strong emotional responses arise. Ask yourself, “What does this remind me of? Have I felt this way before in a different context?”

• Engaging in inner dialogue: Speak to the parts of yourself that are feeling scared, betrayed, or angry. What do they need to feel heard and validated? What can you do to make sure that you're meeting your own needs for yourself?

• Seeking safe connections: Whether in therapy, community spaces, or personal relationships, healing happens in connection. Finding spaces where you can process emotions without judgment is crucial.

• Taking meaningful action: While self-reflection is important, so is external action. Finding ways to advocate for change, engage in community work, or educate yourself can create a sense of empowerment. When politics are impacting our mental health, it's also important to realize that often "meaningful action" also looks like taking care of ourselves - doing something we love, taking a break from the news, implementing boundaries with people/our consumption of content, etc.

• Practicing self-compassion: Healing takes time. There is no “right” way to navigate this moment in history. Offering yourself kindness in the process is essential.

  
  

As we continue to witness and experience the unfolding realities of our country’s political landscape, we must recognize that our responses are more than just reactions to today’s events—they are invitations to heal wounds that have been waiting to be seen. This is not easy work, but it is necessary if we want to engage with the world in a way that is grounded, intentional, and transformative.

The fears and frustrations we feel are valid, but they do not have to consume us. By holding space for both our personal histories and the broader reality of the present, we can begin to navigate this time with greater clarity, compassion, and a deeper sense of resilience.