Polarization Contributes to Rising Reports of Anxiety

We are living in highly polarized times.

Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Key points

• Political polarization is a significant contributing factor to rising mental health disorders.
• Longstanding stress, including over politics, can lead to physical and psychological symptoms.
• Almost 60 percent of American consider politics to be a source of stress.

Election stress disorder is not a real disorder, but people are suffering.

There is no doubt that the incidence of mental health disorders in the U.S. has risen in the past decade. In 2023, a Gallup Poll reported the percentage of adults diagnosed with depression increased to nearly 29 percent. That is 10 points higher than a 2015 report.

Clinical depression was rising before the COVID-19 pandemic but increased dramatically both during and since the 2020-2024 time period. Social isolation, loneliness, fear of infection, psychological exhaustion (particularly among front-line responders such as healthcare workers), elevated substance abuse, and disruptions in mental health services all likely played a role. One area that has not been as closely investigated is the effect of our polarized political climate.

The intense divide between political parties and their constituents is more heated and polarized than ever before. This has significantly impacted the mental health of individuals across the country. Political polarization refers to the growing gap between political parties and their supporters. In the U.S., this divide has resulted in heightened emotions, increased hostility, and more stress and division between individuals. The resulting consequences affect social relationships and increase feelings of alienation.

According to a research article by PlosOne in 2022, political polarization significantly worsened in the United States during the Trump administration. Polls suggested that during his term, partisan discord escalated to the extent that opposing political parties disagreed on policy and governing preferences and even “basic facts.” Between the 2016 election and his 2020 re-election campaign, mental health providers reported a significant increase in patient self-reports of the negative impact that politics was having on their mental health.

The Newport Institute reported that 40 percent of Americans identify politics as a significant source of stress, and almost 5 percent have contemplated suicide in response to political developments. This statistic is most frequent among young adults who experience higher levels of anxiety and distress in general.

How Does Political Strife Affect Our Mental Health?

According to a 2019 survey by the American Psychological Association, almost 60 percent of Americans listed politics as a very or somewhat significant source of stress. The recent assassination attempts on Donald Trump have caused an increase in anxiety among all voting groups, not just Trump supporters. The idea that this type of event can happen not once but twice has further escalated the population’s feeling that things are out of control.

The experience of feeling out of control is a prominent trigger for those who suffer from anxiety disorders. According to Arianna Galligher, associate director of the stress, trauma, and resilience program at Ohio State University, “It's natural to feel a heightened sense of anxiety, even dread, even asking ourselves, 'When does it end?' because something so drastic occurred before our eyes."

Dr. Robert Bright, a psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic, stated, “Election stress disorder isn’t a scientific diagnosis, but the concept is real. Long-standing stress, whatever the source, can tax our physical and emotional resources. For some individuals, it may overload their capacity to cope and lead to acute mental health or physical health crises.”

According to Bright, individuals who are particularly stressed by politics or an upcoming election may experience many physical and psychological symptoms. Our muscles tense, and we may experience gastrointestinal disorders as well as sleep disorders, which are often populated by disturbing dreams. In the mental health realm, it can cause an increase in anxiety, shorter tempers, and fears of catastrophic occurrences such as the recent false rumor about immigrants in Ohio eating their neighbor’s pets.

As a result, we may become more irritable and mistrustful of others. These feelings can bleed into our work and personal lives, which may cause isolation and even ostracism by family or co-workers, further elevating the potential for mental health issues.

What Can Be Done?

According to Dr. Rebecca Brendel, past president of The American Psychiatric Association, "We should give ourselves a mental and physical break.” She suggests limiting time on social media and turning our televisions off. Get outside, go for a walk, and get some exercise. We must reassure ourselves that the world beyond this event is still the same place."

Additional recommendations include:

• Practice mindfulness: Some experts suggest that when our sympathetic nervous system perceives a threat, it tends to believe in the worst outcomes. Regular mindfulness or meditation practice, including deep breathing, can help our brains return to the present moment.
• Prioritize self-care: Eat a healthy diet, avoid excess amounts of alcohol, and regulate your sleep habits to shore up your body’s resilience in the face of stressful events.
• Maintain your social network: Research shows that social connections are some of the most potent resources for good mental health, especially during stressful events.