How widespread is war-related anxiety?
War-related stress is affecting millions of Americans:
- 7 in 10 Americans say the Iran conflict is a significant source of stress
- Doom-scrolling — compulsively checking war updates — is reported as a major issue
- Financial anxiety is compounding war fears (gas prices, groceries, jobs)
- Draft fears are causing unnecessary panic among young adults (no draft is planned)
- Military families, Iranian-Americans, and veterans face unique stressors
Who is most affected?
Military families
- Separation anxiety from deployment (50,000-60,000 service members deployed)
- Uncertainty about duration and danger
- Children struggling with a parent’s absence
- Spouses managing households alone
Iranian-Americans and Middle Eastern communities
- Fear for family members in the conflict zone
- Discrimination and hate incidents
- Identity-related stress
- Communication difficulties with family abroad
Veterans
- PTSD triggers from war coverage
- Moral distress about new conflict
- Survivor’s guilt or reactivated trauma
- Desire to help but inability to do so
Young adults
- Draft misinformation causing panic
- Economic anxiety about job prospects
- Social media exposure to graphic content
- Climate anxiety compounded by war anxiety
How to manage war-related anxiety
Limit news consumption:
- Set specific times to check news (e.g., morning and evening only)
- Avoid doomscrolling before bed
- Mute war-related keywords on social media if needed
- Stick to reliable sources (avoids the extra stress of misinformation)
Take care of your body:
- Maintain regular sleep, exercise, and eating patterns
- Limit alcohol and caffeine (both increase anxiety)
- Get outside and move your body daily
- Practice deep breathing when feeling overwhelmed
Stay connected:
- Talk to friends and family about how you’re feeling
- Join support groups (online or in-person)
- Volunteer — action reduces feelings of helplessness
- Maintain your normal routine as much as possible
Take control where you can:
- Focus on what you can control (your budget, your health, your relationships)
- Make a financial plan to address cost-of-living concerns
- Channel energy into community support
Free mental health resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7)
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1
- SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free referrals, 24/7)
- Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647 (for military families)
- NAMI Helpline: 1-800-950-6264 (Mon-Fri, 10am-10pm ET)
- BetterHelp / Talkspace: Online therapy platforms (paid but accessible)