Psychiatrist and author Susan Song has been seeing clients make rash decisions lately.
For example, Song, who is based in Washington, D.C., says some people seek commitment early on in a relationship. Some people leave their jobs without deciding on a next position. She and other mental health professionals are also seeing their clients leverage AI to help them interpret interactions, predict outcomes, and inform what decisions to make. Some people are drawn to religious groups and turn to mystical practices such as psychic abilities and love spells to find a partner.
What’s the underlying motive for much of this behavior? They say it’s uncertainty. According to the American Psychological Association’s 2026 Stress in America Report, just over two-thirds of U.S. adults say they are accustomed to living with uncertainty. Additionally, 28% say they have little or no control over their future, up from 23% in 2025. The accuracy of the sample data is within plus or minus 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
With a constant barrage of doomsday predictions about everything from AI to climate change, you may be wondering how to react. Here’s what mental health experts say:
The level of uncertainty has not changed – our exposure to uncertainty is
There is always uncertainty, both in people’s personal lives and in the world at large. What’s different now, experts say, is the level of ambiguity around everything people will need to navigate, from jobs to finances to relationships.
For example, the proliferation of smartphones has allowed people to immerse themselves in their daily worries while also providing an endless stream of headlines about the world’s horrors.
Historically, for example, “you could read about the Cold War in the newspapers,” says Carrboro, North Carolina-based psychologist Julie Pike, for example.
There’s nothing to suggest that you can’t handle whatever happens next.
Natalie Dattilo
psychologist
When we are regularly exposed to everyday things and have increased access to everything else, worries can pile up. The same goes for stress and anxiety. In fact, uncertainty can create anxiety.
Indianapolis-based psychologist Natalie Dattilo says the ubiquity of information not only makes us feel like we’re drowning in the unknown, but it may also mean people have a lower tolerance for uncertainty. In the past, people had no choice but to live with and deal with uncertainty.
Chatbots can now run actuarial numbers, potentially alleviating concerns of uncertainty by providing a closer approximation of achieving life milestones, for example. However, even chatbots cannot predict the future, and ultimately uncertainty remains.
“Right now, uncertainty is the hardest thing to grasp.”
When you feel like you’re drowning in the unknown, New York-based psychotherapist Andrew Tepper suggests focusing on the physical sensations in your body.
Splash cold water on your face: “Splashing cold water on your face triggers a part of your nervous system that calms you down,” he says. “This is one of the fastest ways I know to calm down when anxiety spikes.” Take off your shoes and stand on the grass. “Some of my clients, including teenagers, now do this as a habit,” he says. “Feeling the ground, temperature, and texture under your feet draws your attention to the present. Uncertainty is hardest to grasp in the present.” Get outside and move. “Walk, hike, bike, or just get outside. When you’re out in nature and engaging in an exhilarating activity, it’s hard to think about next year.”
You can also try repeating a mantra like, “No matter what happens, I’m confident I can handle it,” Dattilo says. You can repeat it as often as you want, weekly or daily. These types of phrases are grounded and can help curb some of your anxiety. Moreover, they are true.
“There’s nothing to suggest that you can’t handle whatever happens next,” she says.
