Understanding Election Anxiety and How to Cope Ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election

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With the 2024 United States Presidential Election quickly approaching, many Americans feel enhanced stress, concern, and uncertainty levels. This is known as election anxiety, or political anxiety, which 69% of American adults said is a significant factor of stress in their daily lives this year, according to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Stress in American poll.  

Election anxiety has increased since the 2016 election, when only 52% of adults in the United States reported the election as a significant factor of stress in their lives. In 2020, that number jumped to 68% of U.S. adults and has remained relatively the same since then according to the APA.  

What is Election Anxiety?

 The Mayo Clinic explains that while election anxiety isn’t a scientific diagnosis, the concept remains real. Essentially, election anxiety is an experience of overwhelming anxiety that can manifest in many different ways. People experiencing election anxiety may see symptoms including:

• Sleep disturbance

• Headaches

• Shoulder tension

• Gastrointestinal (GI) upset

• Fearfulness

• Mixed emotions

• Hypervigilance of the news 

• Irritability 

If symptoms like these persist in someone’s daily life, they can quickly affect their work, home, and social lives. Further, sustained stress can worsen if left untreated, leading to long-term mental health issues like depression and anxiety. 

Causes Behind Election Anxiety

One of the main reasons behind individuals feeling election anxiety relates to feeling out of control of the situation, according to the Mayo Clinic. This year especially, many people are uncertain about the outcome and what life might look like under a new administration, especially given the stark differences between the candidates. Some proposed policies could impact people’s safety and freedoms, fueling even greater anxiety – especially in individuals who aren’t generally impacted by anxiety.

This year, the APA’s Stress in America poll showed that many of the Americans surveyed were primarily driven by their concerns about the potential consequences of the election. The two standout issues included:

• 72% (7 in 10 adults) are worried the election results could lead to violence.

• 56% (over half of adults) said they believe the 2024 election could be the end of democracy in the U.S.

Further, Stress in America: A National Poll in Political Turmoil demonstrates other stressors felt by adults in the country.

• 41% (2 in 5 adults) reported considering moving to a different country due to the U.S.’s political environment.

• 39% said the political environment in their state has made them consider moving to a different state.

• Nearly ⅔ of adults (64%) feel that their rights are under attack. 

General Anxiety vs. Political Anxiety

A research study called “Is political anxiety different than general anxiety?,” published by Cambridge University Press explained that many of these stressors are due to different measures than general anxiety. 

Their study found evidence showing that political anxiety and general anxiety actually stem from different social stressors. In terms of political anxiety, the study suggests that positive correlations include:

• Political orientation

• Interest in politics

• Engagement in politics 

How to Combat Election Anxiety

First, identify the causes of your fears and ask yourself why these issues concern you. According to “Your guide to coping with election anxiety” by Vox, this will help individuals move away from feeling a lack of control and allow them to focus more on the issue of why these problems exist in the first place. 

Shevaun Neupert, a psychology professor at North Carolina State University, explained to Vox that combating election anxiety is focused on mental engagement and evaluating perspectives. This includes understanding where something came from, why it’s an issue or conversation, and understanding it rather than solving it.

Other ways to cope with election anxiety include focusing on what you can control, like educating yourself and those around you; turning to the community, especially friends and family who may feel similarly; and caring for your mind and body. Turn off your social media accounts in the days before the election, and prioritize properly eating, sleeping, and exercising. 

Anxieties will continue to persist no matter the results of the election, but recognizing political and election-related anxiety and actively working to manage it can help ease some of the stress leading up to election day.