From 2016 to 2024, the share of Americans who reported feeling significant stress about presidential elections rose 17%. Election stress is now reported by nearly 70% of people who responded to an American Psychological Association survey.
Anxiety, depression, shorter tempers, loss of sleep — these are common symptoms of a condition some psychiatrists have informally called “Election Stress Disorder.”
Some experts, like Dr. Jim Jobin — a psychotherapist, addictions counselor, and adjunct professor at UNLV's Graduate School of Clinical Mental Health Counseling — have seen some people take up harmful coping mechanisms.
"A lot of people are turning to those self-medicating options, especially in Nevada, since we've legalized cannabis and alcohol on every corner," he said.
That's as midterm election season continues to ramp up, alongside concerns about broader everyday topics, like the cost of living and the war abroad.
Dr. Markus Kemmelmeier, Dean of UNR's Graduate School and a political and social psychologist, said the anxiety from these daily stressors can occasionally be misplaced.
"People many times are fed up, and sometimes that means that they blame it on the political division, but that division actually has been around for decades now," he said.
Polarization, Kemmelmeier continued, can be an obvious harm to mental wellbeing.
"People hear a lot of bickering, a lot of grandstanding, a lot of mutual accusations, lawsuits that make it often very hard for people to keep the composure or not worry."
But, he said there can also be a positive aspect to self-sorting into political groups.
"Any kind of stress you can deal much better with when you're not alone," Kemmelmeier said. "The paradox of the polarization is that people actually also found their in-group, they found their tribe."
So, what can Nevadans do to cope as we move through midterms and into presidential election season?
"We shrinks are always trying to encourage people to reach for those higher values to do better," said Jobin. "Move their bodies, take that walk, get out and touch grass, which, of course, in Southern Nevada, we don't have any of, so we tell people to go touch a rock. But we want them to take those healthier approaches."
If you or anyone you know is struggling with stress or thoughts of self-harm, call the 988 suicide and crisis hotline. Or, text “NAMI” to 62640 to connect with a specialist from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Guests: Jim Jobin; psychotherapist, addictions counselor, adjunct professor; UNLV's Graduate School of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Markus Kemmelmeier; political and social psychologist, Dean, UNR Graduate School
