Election season is once again upon us, and for many people, it brings more than just debates and ballot measures — it brings anxiety. Recent studies show that 40% of U.S. residents have reported feeling heightened anxiety or depression during election cycles.

The constant news coverage, heated conversations and political advertisements flooding every medium have left people feeling like they can’t escape.

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I’ve seen an uptick in patients seeking treatment for election-related stress, describing the overwhelming sense that politics are intruding on every aspect of their lives.

While it’s natural to feel stressed during times of political uncertainty, it’s important to recognize when this stress is becoming unmanageable. Many individuals experience anxiety that manifests in physical and emotional ways, such as difficulty sleeping, persistent worry, irritability or an inability to concentrate.