Trauma Caused by Political Unrest: How to Cope

The last few years have been a bit of a whirlwind in the world of politics. We’ve gone through tumultuous elections, insurrections, major changes and shifts in power, and so much more. On top of it, we’ve also had to deal with a global pandemic, inflation, and other big changes to the economy that have caused extreme stress for many families. 

It should come as no surprise, then, that some people are struggling with trauma caused by political unrest. 

It doesn’t help matters that we’re living in a digital world. We can receive news faster than ever, and we also have our eyes on political happenings more than ever thanks to things like social media platforms. That can lead to an overload of information that creates stress, anxiety, and even trauma. 

So, what can you do to cope?

Understanding Whether You’ve Been Traumatized

Trauma isn’t a word that should be thrown around lightly. It’s important to understand the signs of trauma caused by political unrest, so you can take active steps toward healing. It’s not uncommon to feel an emotional response when you see or experience something as a result of the political administration. 

But, trauma goes beyond that. 

If those concerns and emotions start to feel overwhelming, or you can’t seem to let go of them, it could be a sign of something more serious. Some of the common signs of trauma caused by political unrest include anger, shock, detachment, anxiety, or even guilt and shame as it relates to any part you might play in what’s going on. 

It’s also not uncommon for those dealing with this type of trauma to experience physical reactions, including aches and pains, fatigue, or even trembling. 

You might also find that your behaviors have changed. Trauma can cause people to become hyper-vigilant or withdrawn. You might have specific memories or even flashbacks about the specific political event that triggered your trauma. 

Helping Yourself Through the Noise

If any of those symptoms sound familiar, there are several things you can do to cope on your own. 

First, as stated above, living in a digital world doesn’t make it easy to avoid the political unrest our country seems to regularly face. However, you can actively choose to limit your screen time. Detox from news and social media if you find that it’s going more harm than good. That doesn’t mean you should ignore what’s happening, but it’s okay to give yourself breaks. 

It’s also a good rule of thumb to spend time with people who aren’t hyper-focused on politics. Lean on family members and friends who can help you take your mind off of political unrest and shift your focus elsewhere. 

Finally, practice self-care. Taking care of your mental and physical well-being can help to reduce stress and make the trauma feel less overwhelming. Things like exercising, yoga, and journaling are all forms of self-care that can make it easier to manage anxious, intrusive thoughts. 

Seek Out Help

Sometimes, self-help can only go so far. While you should continue to take care of yourself each day, don’t hesitate to reach out for help when it’s needed. Working with a therapist can help you uncover the root cause of your trauma, whether it was a specific event or a buildup of multiple situations over a period of time.

When you get to that underlying cause, you can start to heal from it. A therapist will help you work through those feelings of fear and teach you the skills necessary to overcome them. 

Unfortunately, we’re likely not done with moments of political unrest in this country. They can be scary, and even traumatizing. But, you don’t have to let those moments control you. Help is available, schedule your appointment now.