AUD is not a real disorder - nor is it recognized by the DSM. Rather, it’s how I am choosing to describe an experience shared by many entering four years of a new presidential administration. Let’s pretend for a minute, that this was a real “disorder”, it might sound like:

Definition:
Age of Uncertainty Disorder (AUD) is a psychological condition characterized by chronic anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and a persistent sense of instability due to prolonged exposure to unpredictable sociopolitical, economic, or environmental stressors. Individuals with AUD struggle with heightened vigilance, difficulty trusting institutions or future stability, and a pervasive feeling of being in a constant state of crisis.

Symptoms:

• Persistent worry about societal or global events beyond one’s control

• Difficulty distinguishing between immediate threats and long-term uncertainties

• Emotional fatigue from prolonged exposure to distressing news or political instability

• Increased irritability, hopelessness, or detachment from civic engagement

• Difficulty making long-term plans due to fear of unpredictable changes

• Compulsive information-seeking (doomscrolling) that worsens anxiety

• Physical symptoms such as tension headaches, insomnia, and chronic stress-related fatigue

Causes:

• Exposure to rapid and unpredictable societal changes

• Conflicting or unreliable leadership and governance

• Economic instability, health crises, or global conflicts

• Social media and 24-hour news cycles reinforcing uncertainty and fear

Sound familiar? If you’re struggling with “AUD” you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it alone either.

In therapy, we’ll work together to help you regain a sense of stability and control, even when the world feels unpredictable. Through mindfulness and distress tolerance techniques, I’ll help you develop the tools to stay grounded in the present rather than spiraling into “what ifs.” We’ll also explore ways to set boundaries with news and social media, so you can stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

Beyond managing anxiety, therapy is also about reclaiming agency. We’ll identify small, meaningful actions you can take in your daily life to shift from a place of helplessness to empowerment. Strengthening your connection to supportive relationships and community can also provide a much-needed sense of safety and belonging in uncertain times. Additionally, we’ll use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies to reframe catastrophic thinking patterns, helping you approach challenges with greater clarity and resilience.

Most importantly, therapy offers a space to process your emotions without judgment and develop self-care routines that support your well-being. Together, we’ll create a plan that helps you feel more grounded, less reactive to external chaos, and more confident in your ability to navigate whatever comes next.

OR

Treatment & Coping Strategies

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the world around you, therapy can be a powerful tool to help you find relief and regain a sense of stability. I take an integrative approach to treatment, recognizing that the mind and body are deeply connected. Together, we’ll work to calm the constant state of alertness through somatic-based interventions, such as breathwork and grounding exercises, to help you reconnect with your body and reduce physical tension. We’ll use techniques rooted in Polyvagal Theory to regulate your nervous system, allowing you to shift from a state of hypervigilance to one of safety and calm, even in the face of uncertainty.

In our sessions, I’ll also bring a systems lens to our work, helping you explore how your relationships, work, and environment contribute to your sense of instability. We’ll look at these factors holistically to identify ways you can create more balance and resilience in your life. My approach is trauma-informed, recognizing that chronic exposure to stress and uncertainty can compound past trauma and leave you feeling stuck. With this awareness, I’ll help you process any past experiences that may be affecting your current emotional state, so you can heal and move forward.

Beyond these foundational approaches, we’ll also explore mindfulness and self-compassion practices, which can help you stay present and manage anxiety without judgment. Setting boundaries with media consumption and engaging in meaningful, small-scale actions in your daily life will be part of our work together, empowering you to take control in a way that feels both practical and emotionally supportive.

By combining these therapeutic interventions, you’ll develop tools to manage anxiety, strengthen your sense of agency, and build resilience against the uncertainty around you. I’m here to support you in navigating these challenging times and to help you feel more grounded, connected, and confident in your ability to face whatever comes next.

Let me know if you'd like me to tweak or expand any part of this!