What Is “Post-Election Stress Disorder”? Understanding Election Stress

Every year, the American Psychological Association conducts a survey called "Stress in America" to measure general attitudes and perceptions of stress among the public. Over the past decade, more and more Americans have reported increased stress levels about the nation's political climate after elections. In 2020, for instance, the survey reported high stress levels about the future of the nation from voters across party affiliations, along with a higher incidence of physical and mental health symptoms.  

Some Americans have called this type of stress "post-election stress disorder." The term became popular after the 2016 US presidential election and continued to be discussed throughout the 2020 US presidential election and beyond. It is worth noting that “post-election stress disorder” is not an official diagnosis; however, high stress around important elections can be very common and distressing. Learning how to cope with this kind of stress can involve reducing exposure to news and social media, adopting relaxation techniques, practicing self-care, and seeking additional support through therapy.

What is “post-election stress disorder”?

The prevalence of election-related stress

According to the 2020 APA Stress in America Survey mentioned above, 68% of adults in the United States reported they felt the presidential election and polls caused significant stress in their lives, regardless of political affiliation. In 2024, this rose slightly to 69% of American adults reporting the presidential election as a significant source of stress and 77% of adults citing the future of our nation as a significant source of stress. 

Post-election stress often happens after presidential elections, but it can apply to any other election where the individual feels emotionally invested. People with little to no interest in politics may not experience this type of stress. Instead, it may be due to a changing political climate characterized by polarized points of view and increasingly heated rhetoric. Some people may take the election results personally, and others may feel stressed about what the results could mean for changing laws in the country. 

The origins of the term 

Psychologist Steven Stosny, PhD, is credited with coining the term “election stress disorder” to describe the high levels of stress and anxiety that many people experience around major elections. While not an official diagnosis, the term has been used to describe the mental and emotional strain that high-stakes elections may bring, both in the period leading up to election day and after the race concludes. “Post-election stress disorder” may be considered a variation of this term, referring specifically to the high levels of stress occurring in response to the outcome of an election.

Why elections can cause stress and anxiety

Below are a few reasons post-election stress may be more common in the 21st century than in previous years. 

Social media and news coverage

Social media and 24-hour news may partly explain why post-election stress exists and why it has become widespread. When there is an upcoming presidential, state, or national election, the news constantly reports live results, moment by moment. These reports and discussions are often on cable news, the internet, and social media, which can lead to heightened feelings of anxiety and stress among the public.

Social exposure and election stress

Even individuals who do not partake in politics may be affected by the stressful political climate as friends, families, and coworkers discuss their thoughts at work, home, and school. Presidential races inundate the public consciousness, and many people form an opinion. Even if you are trying to avoid the news or social media during election season, you may be exposed to it by others. In addition, further election-related stress may arise from having friends and loved ones on the opposite side of the political aisle, which can lead to heated conversations or conflict.    

A growing concern for the future of the nation

Post-election stress may be connected to a growing concern about the country's future over the next four years and beyond. For example, policies surrounding immigration, healthcare, education, climate change, and LGBTQIA+ rights are often the most discussed among certain issues in the news. Staying connected to national news is a value for some people. However, at times, this connection and daily following of events can become overwhelming and may negatively impact one's well-being.

How serious is post-election stress? Understanding common symptoms

It can be difficult to gauge how serious post-election stress disorder can be, as it is not an identifiable mental illness. However, excessive stress or anxiety can impact a person's mental and physical health.

For example, people who are experiencing excessive stress may have the following physical and psychological symptoms: 

• Feelings of hopelessness 
• Constant worry
• Forgetfulness
• Poor judgment
• Heart palpitations
• Excessive sweating
• An upset stomach
• Headaches,
• Low energy
• Insomnia
• Difficulty focusing 
• Nervousness
• Shaking
• Ringing in the ears 
• Tense muscles and associated joint pain 

Some people experiencing stress may develop anxiety or a depressive disorder that may be best addressed professionally by a qualified healthcare provider. If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above for more than two weeks, check in with your healthcare provider, as they may be signs of an underlying physical or mental health condition. 

In assessing the seriousness of post-election stress, clinicians may decide on a case-by-case basis. If you feel down following an election, you may be having an understandable and natural reaction. However, if you notice these symptoms worsening or want to manage them with support, consider setting up an appointment with a licensed therapist.

How stress can affect mental health and well-being in the long term

If election-related stress persists, it may pose risks to various aspects of mental and physical health, as chronic stress can have a range of negative health impacts. Some of the potential impacts of chronic stress include increased risk for physical and mental health concerns, such as the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety 
• Digestive issues
• Muscle tension
• Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
• High blood pressure 
• Sleep problems 

In addition, chronic stress can also suppress the body’s immune system, increasing a person’s susceptibility to infections. 

How to cope with post-election stress 

You may use several tools at home to reduce stress and manage intrusive thoughts after election day, including the following.

Reduce exposure to news and social media

In some cases, stress may be reduced by taking action at home. For example, if frequent exposure to political news is causing you stress, you may consider making a conscious effort to limit how much time you spend consuming social media or editorialized television that involves politics or election coverage. You may consider refraining from looking at your social media feeds to not come across posts from friends and family that cause you stress. 

If you feel it is your social responsibility to stay on top of current political events, you might consider giving yourself a break for a day or two. If what you see is causing you to feel overwhelming anxiety or severe stress to the point that you are experiencing physical and mental health symptoms, it may be beneficial to take a step back.

Become politically active 

If you feel helpless or frustrated due to the outcome of an election, you might find relief by joining local political efforts, encouraging others to vote, or volunteering with a political agency. You do not necessarily need to run for office, but you can get involved with grassroots activism associated with the issues you feel strongest about. You can try to sign up voters for the next election or make phone calls spreading awareness about issues that will be voted on in your city or state. 

Practice self-care

Taking time to tend to your mental and physical health can also be an important part of coping with stress. Practicing self-care can take many forms; included below are a few ideas: 

• Spend time with supportive people. 
• Engage in regular exercise. 
• Get plenty of sleep. 
• Spend time in nature. 
• Do activities that bring you joy. 

Engaging in these practices may help you cope with stress in the moment and reduce your stress levels overall. 

Find professional support for severe stress 

You may be feeling stressed and notice an accumulation of thoughts and symptoms that heavily impact your ability to function. You may be so focused on what is happening that you don't focus on relationships, careers, hobbies, or other life domains.

If you're experiencing severe stress, it may be beneficial to seek professional help. You can begin by connecting with a qualified therapist or seeing your healthcare provider for a mental health screening. They can also refer you to a mental health provider if they believe you're living with an anxiety or depressive disorder or another condition due to this stress, especially if you have felt angry or felt exhausted for a long period of time. 

In some cases of severe stress and anxiety, certain medications, as prescribed by a physician or psychiatrist, may be appropriate if your stress or anxiety impacts daily life. Several medications can treat short-term symptoms of stress and mood conditions. Some may be prescribed daily for an extended period, while others may be taken as needed.  

If you are considering new medications or supplements, consult a doctor before starting, changing, or stopping your medical treatment.  

Incorporate techniques such as mindfulness and meditation 

To cope with stress and anxiety, it may also be helpful to explore techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness. Even if you have never attempted meditation before, there are apps you can download to a device that can guide you through practice. You can try meditative practices any time, whether at night before you sleep or in the morning before work or school. Through meditation, you may reduce the number of distressing political thoughts you experience daily.  

Seeking professional mental health support for stress

Some people may feel embarrassed about seeking mental health care from a therapist after an election. If this is the case for you, you might benefit from online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp. Online therapy can be discreet, as you can have sessions from wherever you feel most comfortable, without having to travel to an office. In addition, you can choose between phone, video, and chat sessions with your therapist.  

Plus, research shows that online therapy can be an effective treatment option for various mental health concerns, including chronic stress. For instance, a randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for chronic stress, and it found that ICBT was effective in reducing stress-related symptoms in patients experiencing chronic stress.