The Psychological Toll of Political Dismissal and Enforcement Actions
In the wake of the shooting of Renee Nicole Good and heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Minnesota, a significant shift in American attitudes is unfolding. This change is particularly evident among individuals who have long voiced concerns about political dangers, only to be labeled as "overreacting" or "deranged." The uncomfortable reality for these individuals is that their worst fears are materializing, leading to profound psychological consequences.
From Dismissal to Validation: A Painful Transition
The New York Times recently published an op-ed titled "The Resistance Libs Were Right," signaling a broader recognition of previously dismissed warnings. Even prominent podcasters like Joe Rogan, Theo Vonn, and Andrew Schulz—who helped usher in the second Trump administration—have moderated their support, with Rogan questioning whether certain actions resemble Gestapo tactics. This shift coincides with a Quinnipiac University poll revealing that 53% of voters consider the Good shooting unjustified, while 57% disapprove of ICE's immigration law enforcement methods.
For those who have been sounding alarms since the previous Trump administration, this validation comes at a heavy cost. "When people ring alarm bells about the danger they see and others dismiss those fears, it can lead to increased feelings of despair, hopelessness, and loneliness," explains Melissa S. Tihinen, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist in New Jersey. The isolation is particularly acute for individuals in politically disengaged communities, often described as "blue dots in a red sea."
The Clinical Reality: Political Anxiety Evolves into Trauma
Therapists are now identifying what they term "political trauma" among clients who have endured repeated dismissal of their legitimate concerns. Jeff Guenther, known professionally as TherapyJeff, describes the consequences as "brutal," noting that chronic dismissal creates a form of sustained stress leading to hypervigilance. "When the people around you, or the systems you rely on, tell you that your very real concerns are overreactions, you start to lose trust in your own internal compass," Guenther observes.
This erosion of self-trust can result in what Guenther calls a "fried nervous system," where individuals constantly scan for threats because they've learned that nobody will believe them until damage occurs. The psychological impact includes depression, deep isolation, and symptoms of moral injury—where one's sense of right and wrong is repeatedly challenged by close associates.
Tihinen argues that what her clients experience transcends mere "political anxiety," approaching genuine trauma. "They didn't want an 'I told you so' moment," she clarifies. "They wanted to be taken seriously from the beginning and wanted others to be responsive to the danger they saw instead of waiting for all the harm, destruction, and violence that has been inflicted."
The Complex Emotional Landscape: Anger, Grief, and Resentment
Beyond despair and isolation, anger emerges as a rational response to breached trust. "You're mourning the fact that these people didn't value your perspective or your safety until it was too late to prevent the damage," Guenther explains. "It's hard to feel good about being right when being right means the worst-case scenario is actually happening."
This anger serves a protective function, according to Guenther. "Your anger is a protective force," he emphasizes. "It's telling you that something isn't right. Don't let anyone, not even a therapist, shame you into 'calming down' if that calm feels like compliance. The goal isn't to stop caring, it's to care in a way that doesn't destroy you."
For those facing belated acknowledgments from friends and family who previously dismissed their concerns, Guenther recommends honoring resentment rather than rushing to reconciliation. "You don't have to jump straight to being glad you're finally on the same page. You're allowed to be pissed that it took this much for them to see your humanity or the reality of the situation," he advises.
Practical Strategies for Navigating Political Trauma
Therapists suggest several approaches for individuals grappling with these challenges:
- Establish Boundaries: You are not obligated to serve as a political tour guide or emotional support person for those belatedly recognizing the dangers you identified years earlier.
- Practice Media Hygiene: Limit exposure to news and social media, particularly "doomscrolling" that keeps the nervous system in a state of high-intensity trauma.
- Focus on Local Action: Redirect energy toward community engagement and tangible change within your immediate sphere of influence.
- Vet Mental Health Providers Carefully: Seek therapists who acknowledge political realities and understand how systemic oppression impacts mental health.
"As therapists, we can't pretend the world isn't on fire while we sit in the chair," Guenther notes. "The challenge now is shared reality. We're often processing the same fears as our clients in real-time."
Tihinen adds that self-care in this context means "taking care of our well-being and resting so that we can continue to resist all that is wrong and dangerous." Both therapists emphasize that maintaining mental health is itself an act of resistance against efforts to overwhelm and exhaust those who oppose harmful policies.
The psychological landscape following recent events reveals that being proven right about political dangers brings little comfort when validation arrives only after preventable harm has occurred. For many Americans, the path forward involves navigating complex emotions while finding sustainable ways to engage with political realities without sacrificing mental wellbeing.
