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Maybe you feel helpless when you read another news story about the amount ofplastic that has infiltrated our oceans.
Antonio Rodriguez via Adobe Stock
If youre looking for a word to describe this uncertainty, it has an official name: climate anxiety.
TheAmerican Psychiatric Associationand theAmerican Psychological Associationrecognize climate change as a growing threat to mental health.
The feeling of being a climate hostage is quite real.
It is normal to be angry about these kinds of injustices.
In many ways, its not surprising that climate change and anxiety go hand-in-hand.
Anxietyis the anticipation of a potential future concernand with climate change, the worst really is yet to come.
This is evolutions way of prompting us to act.
Most feelings tend to come and go, she explains.
Climate anxiety will hit certain people harder than others.
Its a natural time to be looking into your future, she says.
Thats a different set of emotions, says Doherty.
This includes people of color, people with low incomes, as well as disabled and houseless people.
Frederick says that this disproportionate impact traces back to racist policies and the idea that these communities are dispensable.
She adds that its critical to create visibility around the implications that climate change has on everyones mental health.
Practicing mindfulness andbreath workcan help anyonecope with anxiety, climate anxiety included.
Breath work helps move the nervous system from a fight-or-flight response into a relaxation response.
If we interrupt our thought process, it often calms our body and our emotions, explains Davenport.
That can look like running,meditating, listening to music, or anything else that soothes you.
Therapists may also list ecotherapy, walking therapy, or climate-aware therapy as their specialties, says Davenport.
you might also interview a potential therapist or counselor first to verify they understand and validate climate anxiety.
Some are tuned in, and some are not, says Davenport.
You might ask questions such as: Have you worked with clients with climate anxiety before?
How often do you see clients with this concern?
Can you tell me what your therapeutic approach would be to this issue?
Ultimately a good therapist should show compassion and acceptance.
This can help you pause unhelpful thought processes and take actionable steps so you feel more empowered.
It is therapeutic to not feel so alone in experiences related to climate change.
In fact, community is essential, says Davenport.
While the awareness and concerns are growing, its not a welcome conversation in many social and family tweaks.
As a climate scientist, Dr. Dahl says she personally struggles with climate anxiety.
Being consumed with worry doesnt help.
Figuring out what you better do with that anxiety can help keep it in check, she says.
