Many young adults have found themselves feeling increasingly anxious, hopeless, and disconnected when it comes to politics. 

The constant cycle of news, divisive debate, and uncertainty about the future can take a significant toll on emotional well-being. For some, this has developed into what feels like a full existential crisis, a deep questioning of meaning, identity, and purpose in a world that seems unpredictable and divided. 

As a therapist, I see firsthand how political anxiety is affecting young people’s mental health and sense of self.

How much is political stress actually making young people feel hopeless?

Political anxiety is becoming a defining feature of modern life. Young adults in particular often feel the weight of issues such as climate change, economic instability, and social inequality. The feeling that the world is in constant crisis can make it difficult to imagine a stable or positive future. 

This hopelessness becomes overwhelming, leaving them depressed about politics and uncertain about their place in the world.

Through my therapy in Cheshire, I regularly work with clients who express a sense of emotional exhaustion from trying to stay informed whilst feeling powerless to help create change. This combination of awareness and helplessness can lead to feelings of despair, frustration, and even guilt for not doing enough. Understandably, many are struggling to balance a desire for social awareness with the need to protect their mental health.

Which political issues are stressing young adults out the most?

There isn’t simply one cause of political distress. Many young people report feeling anxious about climate change, the housing crisis, job insecurity, and global conflict. Others express concern about equality, human rights, and the erosion of trust in institutions.

What makes these stressors especially intense is their personal impact. 

Political decisions often shape opportunities for education, employment, and healthcare, all critical aspects of young adulthood. This personal stake in the outcomes can amplify the sense of urgency, leading to more intense political anxiety. 

I aim to help my clients unpack these feelings and explore how their personal values intersect with broader societal change, all while maintaining emotional balance.

Why do I feel so anxious about the news and politics?

Political anxiety tends to arise from the constant stream of alarming headlines and the social expectation to stay informed. The 24-hour news cycle and social media algorithms keep us in a state of heightened alert, making it difficult to switch off. 

For many, this prolonged exposure to distressing information can activate the body’s stress response, leading to poor sleep and mental health challenges.

When clients tell me they feel physically tense or emotionally drained by current events, I remind them that this is a natural reaction to an overstimulating environment. 

Our minds were not designed to process global crises every minute of the day. Part of the work we do in person-centred therapy is learning how to honour the concern and empathy that drive these reactions, while also finding ways to manage them with compassion and care.

Is my political despair actually an existential crisis?

For many young adults, political anxiety has evolved into something deeper: an existential crisis. This can manifest as a loss of meaning, identity confusion, or questioning the purpose of life when so many global issues feel unsolvable.

Feeling depressed about politics may be part of a larger emotional struggle, one that reflects broader questions about purpose, freedom, and belonging.

We explore how these thoughts are often connected to feelings of powerlessness and grief. The grief of seeing the world suffer can weigh heavily, but exploring it in a supportive, non-judgmental space helps young adults find perspective and renewal. 

What is an existential crisis?

An existential crisis is a period of deep reflection or distress that arises when someone begins to question the meaning of their life or the values that guide them. 

It is not uncommon for such feelings to appear during times of uncertainty or change. 

For young adults today, the political landscape often acts as a trigger for this reflection, forcing them to reconcile ideals of justice and fairness with the reality of conflict and imperfection in society.

Why do young people feel hopeless about the future?

Hopelessness among young adults is often linked to the feeling that their voices are unheard or their actions are insignificant in shaping the world around them. The rapid pace of change, polarisation in politics, and uncertainty about the economy and environment can lead to chronic stress and self-doubt. 

Many clients describe this as a background hum of anxiety that affects their motivation, relationships, and even physical well-being.

This constant stress can disrupt sleep and mental health, further compounding emotional fatigue.

I often work with clients to identify how chronic exposure to uncertainty and negativity influences their worldview. We explore ways to restore balance, which may include setting boundaries around news consumption, engaging in meaningful community activities, or learning to focus on areas where change is actually possible.

Does political fighting online make anxiety worse?

Arguments on social media often lack empathy and nuance, leaving participants feeling attacked or misunderstood. For young adults already feeling vulnerable, witnessing or engaging in this digital conflict can reinforce hopelessness and distrust.

Taking a step back from online debates doesn’t mean you don’t care; it means that you’re prioritising your emotional wellbeing. I work with clients struggling with excessive social media usage to help them limit their exposure to distressing content, learn to identify emotional triggers, and reconnect with real-world relationships that provide grounding and perspective.

What are healthy ways to cope with political stress and burnout?

Coping begins with self-awareness and self-compassion. 

Acknowledging how deeply world events affect you is the first step in healing. When my clients ask how to stop worrying about politics, I often suggest gentle approaches such as mindful breaks from news consumption, focusing on community-level change, and reconnecting with personal interests that provide joy and purpose.

Maintaining good sleep and mental health routines is also vital. Chronic exposure to distressing news can disrupt the body’s ability to rest, leading to exhaustion and heightened emotional sensitivity. Learning to wind down before bed and creating calming routines can help restore a sense of stability.

Person-centred therapy offers a space to explore feelings of burnout without judgment. Rather than avoiding political topics, therapy allows you to process your emotions safely and to find a healthy balance between engagement and emotional self-care.

Can therapy help with feeling overwhelmed by world events?

Yes, absolutely. Therapy can be a powerful space to process feelings of political anxiety, grief, and disconnection. The goal is not to eliminate concern for the world but to support individuals in managing it in ways that preserve their mental and emotional health. 

Many clients find that working with a therapist helps them develop clarity about their values and the kind of change they wish to contribute to, without losing their sense of self.

Taking the next step

If you recognise yourself in these experiences, feeling anxious, hopeless, or overwhelmed by the political climate, please know that support is available.

Through therapy in Cheshire or online via Zoom, I offer a compassionate space to explore political anxiety, existential distress, and their impact on your daily life.

My aim is not to provide answers to political problems, but to help you build emotional resilience, restore balance, and reconnect with your sense of meaning and agency. Together, we can work towards reducing the weight of constant worry, improving your sleep and mental health, and helping you rediscover calm amidst the chaos of today’s world.