Anxiety in the Current Political Climate: You're Not Overreacting

Have you been feeling more anxious than usual lately—maybe even overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure what to do with all the noise? You're not alone. The current political climate in the U.S. is creating real emotional strain for many people, and that weight can show up in ways you might not expect.

At Dryad Counseling, I work with adults in Ohio and Massachusetts who are navigating anxiety, trauma, identity stress, and life transitions. And lately, more clients have been naming something very specific:
“The news is exhausting. I’m scared about the future. And I don’t know what to do with all this anxiety.”

For many of us, especially those who are queer, neurodivergent, BIPOC, or part of other marginalized communities, political change doesn’t feel distant—it feels personal. Policy debates about healthcare, trans rights, education, immigration, or reproductive access aren’t theoretical. They impact our safety, our choices, and how we live our daily lives.

Even if those issues don’t directly affect you, the nonstop headlines and growing sense of division can still leave you feeling anxious, angry, or shut down. Chronic stress related to sociopolitical tension can lead to disrupted sleep, irritability, brain fog, or just that heavy sense that something is wrong even when you can’t quite name what it is.

So how does therapy help when the world itself feels overwhelming?

It doesn’t fix the world. But it does give you space to explore how the world is showing up in your body, your relationships, and your day-to-day functioning. Therapy can help you process the emotional weight you’re carrying, reconnect with your values, and figure out how to stay grounded even when the ground keeps shifting.

I take a trauma-informed, identity-affirming approach to this work, and I believe therapy should feel like a space where you can be honest—not where you have to pretend things are fine. We work together to name what’s real, respond to it skillfully, and create room for relief and resilience.

Dryad Counseling offers both in-person and online therapy in Ohio and Massachusetts, with flexible scheduling and a focus on adults navigating anxiety, identity, trauma, and stress related to sociopolitical change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure, or just need someone who understands the emotional weight of this moment, I invite you to reach out.

You can learn more or request an appointment at www.dryadcounseling.com. Whether you're a new or returning client, I’d be honored to hold space for you.

You’re not overreacting. You’re responding to a world that hasn’t been easy to carry—and you don’t have to carry it alone.