A new wave of political anxiety

The return of Donald Trump to the White House has triggered a surge in anxiety among Americans, with therapists across the country reporting an uptick in clients struggling to process the implications of a second term.

“He’s very triggering for people,” says Brooklyn-based therapist Paula Carino. “His unpredictability, his constant media presence—it creates a sense of lack of safety, and safety is foundational for mental health.”

For Carino’s clients, many of whom are millennial women, Trump’s re-election is not just a political event but a deeply personal concern. The combination of compassion fatigue, activist burnout, and fears about reproductive rights have left many feeling emotionally drained.

“There’s a lot of burnout,” Carino notes. “People are saying, ‘I was so fired up in 2016, but I don’t know if I have it in me anymore.’”

The anxiety is particularly acute for marginalized groups. Dr. Jack Drescher, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University specializing in gender and LGBTQ issues, highlights how Trump’s policies intensify fears among these communities.

“Every educated gay person understands that attacks on transgender people are really subtle attacks on the LGBTQ community as a whole,” Drescher explains. He notes that some of his clients are even exploring options to leave the U.S., fearing escalating threats to their rights.

The political environment has worsened since Trump’s first term, with the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and Republicans controlling both Houses of Congress. For younger women, Carino says, the rollback of reproductive rights feels like “an existential unraveling of the fabric of reality.”

Polarization and its mental health toll

Political polarization under Trump has heightened the intensity of public discourse, leaving many Americans feeling disoriented and powerless.

“Polarization heightens anxiety,” Drescher says. “The aggressive nature of today’s political conversations makes it hard to find common ground or engage in civil discourse.”

Therapist Elizabeth Hinkle, licensed in Virginia, Kansas, and Washington State, echoes this sentiment, describing the existential threat Trump poses to many Americans.

“Therapy is political because everything is political when a few people in power make decisions that affect everyone’s health, bodies, and well-being,” she explains.

Coping with the chaos

So, how do therapists advise their clients to cope with Trump’s omnipresent influence? The key, according to experts, is to establish boundaries with news consumption and find solace in community connections.

“I tell clients the same thing I practice myself—don’t watch TV news,” Drescher advises. “It’s designed to make you anxious so you’ll keep coming back.”

Carino encourages her clients to focus on collective healing. “A lot of the healing comes in community,” she says. “Trump and his allies want to tear apart communities. Staying connected with others is one way to resist that.”

Hinkle emphasizes the importance of identifying areas of control, such as personal relationships and local activism, to counter feelings of helplessness.

Grieving and moving forward

For many, Trump’s return represents a profound loss, and Carino urges her clients to allow themselves to grieve.

“Some of the burnout and exhaustion is a call to grieve,” she says. “It’s okay to acknowledge that this really sucks. Because it is a loss.”

As Americans navigate this tumultuous political landscape, therapists like Carino, Drescher, and Hinkle remain on the front lines, helping their clients process emotions, find strength in the community, and prepare for the challenges ahead.