Existential anxiety involves worries about life, death, and existence itself. While these feelings can be challenging, they can also be a catalyst to live a more fulfilling, meaningful life.
It’s typical to question the nature of the universe and your place in it from time to time — these existential questions are simply a natural part of a life with many unsolved mysteries.
Yet you may be experiencing existential anxiety if these questions take over your day-to-day activities and inspire a feeling of intense worry, dread, or panic.
If you feel worried about existence or what comes afterward, you’re certainly not alone. But that doesn’t always make it feel any less stressful.
By taking time to understand and address your existential feelings, you can find greater peace of mind and live a life you love. This article offers one way to begin.
According to a 2016 research review from the American Psychological Association, existential crises are a part of being alive. On the surface, they may feel like negative experiences, but researchers suggest that they signify an important journey — one that can inform your life and choices for the better.
There are no one-size-fits-all symptoms for existential anxiety. Some symptoms of it include:
- experiencing frequent dread, worry, or panic
- questioning your beliefs, values, or choices
- having difficulty making decisions
- feeling like life is always going to be difficult
- obsessing over existential ideas
- withdrawing from daily activities
- isolating yourself from others
- feeling lonely
- feeling guilt or shame
- feeling like life is pointless
If your queries make you feel sad, hopeless, or helpless, you may be coping with existential depression. Like any form of anxiety, existential anxiety may also have physical manifestations such as:
Panic surrounding existential anxiety
Panic attacks may understandably feel very scary, but they are not usually a medical emergency. You can calm your panic through strategies such as talking with a loved…
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