If you've ever wondered about the meaning of life, you have something in common with the great historical philosophers. Sometimes, asking yourself big questions, such as "Who am I?" or "What's my purpose?" can bring on feelings of uneasiness and even fear. That's a concept known as existential dread.
What Is Existentialism?
Existentialism is a philosophy that holds that there isn't one definitive meaning of life — it's up to each person to create meaning for themselves. The concept came into its own in the mid-20th century when thinkers were trying to make sense of two world wars. It's no wonder that the answers they came up with weren't easy or comfortable.
Existential philosophers argued that such events aren't part of any universal plan, and people aren't born with a built-in purpose. You have to figure it out for yourself by:
- Examining your own beliefs and values, rather than those imposed on you by external factors, such as your family, religion, or society
- Living a life that's true to those beliefs and values, as you're free to choose your path
That sets up a conflict: You get to make your own choices in life, but then you're responsible for how things turn out — you can't blame it on a higher power. The possibilities can seem endless, yet overwhelming.
What Is Existential Dread?
Existential dread is the feeling of despair and uncertainty you may get when you think about life. It involves anxiety about not having answers to life's big questions — such as not knowing the right choices to make, which direction to take, or if anything you do even matters. You may feel lost, fake, or trapped.
Existential Dread vs. Existential Crisis
Neither an existential crisis nor existential dread are mental health conditions. But most people do experience them at different stages in life.
An existential crisis is a period when you're forced to confront any of the big issues that go along with being human, especially mortality. It typically has a trigger — often a time of transition.
Existential dread is the feeling of uncertainty and fear you experience when you're going through an existential crisis.
What Causes Existential Dread?
Specific events can trigger existential dread, especially events in these two categories:
Events that change your life. Major life events can lead you to rethink your beliefs and values. Even positive events can have an impact. You may experience existential dread after:
- Marriage
- Divorce or other breakup
- Loss of a friendship
- Birth of a child
- A move
- Job loss
- Career change
- Retirement
- Death of a loved one
Events that threaten your life. If you have had a serious illness, you may question your approach to life. Sometimes, going through the illness of a loved one has the same effect. Accidents and injuries, living through a natural disaster, or experiencing a great societal change can also bring on existential dread.
Symptoms of Existential Dread
Symptoms of existential dread include:
Anxiety. You may worry about the future or have anxiety that isn't tied to a particular concern. You may doubt yourself and be unable to make decisions.
Depression. You may feel guilty about the past or hopeless about the future.
Loneliness or isolation. You may feel that no one really understands you or cares about you.
Lack of motivation or energy. When you feel that nothing has meaning, you may lose interest in activities you once enjoyed.
Obsessive thoughts. You may have uncontrollable thoughts about death or ask yourself the same questions over and over without arriving at any answers.
Examples of Existential Dread
Life events and life stages can trigger feelings of existential dread in many different ways. For example:
- You graduate from college and are struck by anxiety and fear over starting a career. You're afraid of making the wrong choice, so you have trouble making any choice at all.
- A religious or political scandal makes you question things you've always believed. You feel disillusioned and unsure of your values.
- You're diagnosed with a serious illness and have to face the reality of death. You may wonder why you're here or what's the point of living.
- You retire and struggle with your identity. You don't know who you are outside of your job and feel like you no longer have a purpose.
- You go through a breakup and grieve the loss of the future you had imagined. You don't know how to visualize a new path for yourself.
How to Deal With Existential Dread
You may be able to work through existential dread on your own. As you adjust to a major life event, the feelings may fade, or you may make changes that bring your life more in line with your values.
Finding something that helps can take time. Try these strategies and stick with the ones that work:
Accept the feeling. Instead of struggling to get past the uncomfortable feelings, take the opportunity to reflect on what's important to you. This could be a good time to make a bucket list or set some personal goals.
Move forward. You can't change what's happened in the past. Examining your personal history can help you understand what matters to you and identify things you'd like to change. But don't get stuck dwelling on mistakes or regrets.
Try journaling. This can be a good way to clarify your feelings. Writing your thoughts on paper can get them out of your head and stop you from obsessing about them.
Find balance. When you feel fulfilled in various areas of your life, it can be easier to adjust to a change or loss in one of them. Try to make time for hobbies, fun, and relaxation in addition to work and family.
Reach out and connect. Seeing the impact you have in other peoples' lives can help you find meaning in your own. Fight feelings of isolation by boosting your social ties — spend more time with family and loved ones, or volunteer to help others.
Take action. You don't necessarily have to have all the answers to resolve existential dread. Even a small step in a new direction may be enough to get you past the feeling that you're stuck.
Find help. If you continue to have anxiety, depression, and other symptoms, you may need counseling or psychiatric help. There is no one best type of therapy for existential dread, but a variety of counseling approaches may work, such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches you to challenge unhelpful thoughts
- Existential therapy, which helps you accept and cope with the uncertainties in life
- Humanistic therapy, which helps you become more self-aware
If you're having suicidal thoughts, you should get help immediately by calling the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, your doctor, or 911.
What to Do if a Loved One Is Going Through Existential Dread
It can be hard to watch someone you care about struggle. If a loved one is going through existential dread, there are things you can do to support them.
First, you can simply acknowledge what they're going through. Let them know that existential dread is a common human experience.
Offer to be a sounding board as they work through tough decisions. You can be a good listener without having to come up with solutions.
If you're concerned about their well-being, you may suggest they connect with a professional therapist. Offer to help them find someone.
Does Existential Dread Go Away?
Most people are able to manage their feelings of existential dread. Sometimes, the feelings may even go away completely. Many times, however, they return, especially during life changes.
If your feelings persist, you could have an underlying condition that complicates your situation. Bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are two conditions that could make it harder to get over an existential crisis.
Takeaways
Existential dread is a feeling of uncertainty and fear you may get when you think about life, death, and your place in the world. It can come from major life changes like retirement or a serious illness. You may get over it on your own by reflecting on your values and beliefs and setting new goals. If you're having anxiety and depression, talk to your doctor about whether therapy would be helpful.
Existential Dread FAQs
Is existential dread normal?
Yes. Many people experience it when they don't have good answers to questions about the meaning of life and their purpose.
What does existential dread feel like?
You may have negative emotions like uncertainty, hopelessness, and fear. You may also feel loneliness, anxiety, and even depression.
How long does existential dread last?
Feelings of existential dread that were triggered by a major life change may go away after you adjust. But if you aren't able to find purpose and meaning in your life, these feelings can persist for a long time, even years.
