The Collective Struggle of a Nation: When Politics Becomes Trauma

A Collective Struggle

I recently attended a seminar discussing something we're witnessing over these past few years, at an unprecedented scale: people are experiencing collective trauma triggered by our current political climate. This isn't just affecting patients, clinicians are struggling too, managing our own anxiety and sense of powerlessness.

What concerns me most is how many people have stopped engaging with facts altogether. It's easier not to think critically, and it feels safer to trust those in authority, even when they're spreading misinformation. On a national and global level, it is deeply frightening. We're being bombarded with one troubling incident after another, creating a constant state of bracing for the next disaster. This relentless cycle is itself a form of trauma.

When Current Events Trigger Past Wounds

I've noticed a significant shift in my clinical practice. More clients are reporting anxiety, powerlessness, restlessness, and fear. They're struggling with sleep and feeling scattered in ways they've never experienced. What's particularly striking is when people suddenly recognize these symptoms in themselves; symptoms that weren't present before in their adult lives.

For those with childhood or adolescent trauma, today's political landscape is especially dangerous. It's like navigating a minefield of ongoing triggers that reawaken buried wounds. People find themselves reacting as they once did when they were young and defenseless.

What I Recommend to My Clients: Finding Empathy in Divisive Times

One antidote to the powerlessness and divisiveness we're experiencing is cultivating empathy, both for ourselves and others. In a political climate that often demands we choose sides and dehumanize those who disagree with us, practicing empathy offers something radically different. It doesn't mean condoning harmful actions or abandoning your values. Rather, it means recognizing the fear, pain, and vulnerability in people, even those whose views upset us. When we can step back from the reactionary stance that keeps us braced for the next trauma and instead connect with our shared humanity, we create small pockets of healing. Empathy can feel like an act of resistance against the dehumanization happening around us—a way of reclaiming our capacity to feel and connect rather than just react and defend.

Furthermore, I encourage people to limit their news consumption if it's affecting their ability to function. That said, I recognize that therapy can be a crucial safe space during chaotic times.

For everyone right now, clients and therapists alike, having a solid support system and practicing self-care isn't optional. It's essential.