Wed Feb 05 12:02:11 UTC 2025: ## Political Distress: A Growing Mental Health Concern in the US
**New Delhi, February 5, 2025** – Record-high political polarization in the United States is fueling a significant mental health crisis, according to Jeremy P. Shapiro, an adjunct assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University. Writing in *The Conversation*, Shapiro notes a surge in individuals seeking therapy specifically for anxiety and depression stemming from political anxieties, a phenomenon virtually unheard of just a few decades ago.
Shapiro, who has been practicing psychotherapy since the Reagan administration, highlights the stark increase in political distress amongst both Democrats and Republicans. He describes this distress as stemming from a fear of the consequences of the opposing party’s actions and leadership. While the intensity fluctuates depending on election results, the underlying issue persists.
Lacking established therapeutic strategies for political distress, Shapiro offers advice based on related mental health interventions. He suggests that contextualizing current political anxieties within the broader sweep of American history – referencing events like the Civil War, the Great Depression, and World War II – can offer a calming perspective.
He further advocates for a balanced approach incorporating the principles of the Serenity Prayer: taking action where possible (voting, volunteering, etc.) and accepting what is beyond individual control. Limiting political news consumption to avoid escalating anxiety, and employing cognitive therapy techniques to assess worst-case scenarios and coping mechanisms, are also suggested.
While acknowledging the importance of political engagement, Shapiro emphasizes that focusing on personal well-being – relationships, work, hobbies, and other aspects of life – is crucial for managing political distress. He concludes that while political systems are transient, the fundamental sources of human happiness are not.
First Piper 