Election Anxiety, a 1½-minute — with Dr. Daniel BE
Election anxiety is a common experience, especially during contentious political climates. Dr. Daniel BE, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, talks about learning new skills for navigating our current cultural turbulences.
Learn more about Dr. BE
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Understanding Election Anxiety
Election anxiety is a common experience, especially during contentious political climates. It arises from the uncertainty, polarization, and intense emotions surrounding election outcomes.
This anxiety is not just about politics—it’s rooted in deeper unconscious issues that invite us to feel fear, instability, and a lack of control. It is common in our culture for people to worry that election results could affect their personal lives, community, or the future of the country. When these worries are repeated and confirmed in the media, they can invite feelings of powerlessness or overwhelm.
Election anxiety can also strain relationships, particularly when individuals hold different political views from those of their friends or family. Disagreements can escalate, leading to defensiveness, misunderstandings, and emotional distance. This type of stress, compounded by the often relentless news cycle and social media, can create a heightened sense of tension.
Data on Election Anxiety
Research highlights the significant impact election anxiety has on individuals. Before the 2016 election, an American Psychological Association survey found that 52% of American adults reported the election was a “very” or “somewhat significant” source of stress, regardless of their political affiliation. This study found that election anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
Moreover, a survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2022 revealed that 39% of surveyed adults consider that anxiety or stress caused by political events is a “crisis.”
The Role of Counseling in Dealing with Turbulent Times
Many clients have told BEing There Counseling that we are their “safe harbor” in the turmoil of election anxiety. The focus of our counseling is on teaching clients the emotional skills needed to deal with the fears and issues that can get triggered by current events so they can stay grounded.
Therapy with BEing There Counseling can help individuals clarify and stay true to their values. Counseling can inoculate them against allowing these stressors to spill over into their close relationships or divide and corrupt their close connections. Ultimately, counseling can help them make thoughtful, clear choices in their actions.
Counseling is just that: counseling or guidance that helps individuals stay in the captain’s seat of their lives, especially in stormy times.
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