If you have ever felt unreasonable anxiety, self-doubt, or fear of change, most likely you have encountered manifestations of existential fear. What is it, how to deal with it, and is it possible to get rid of it? Find the answers to these questions in this article.
Symptoms of existential fear
What is existential dread? This is a condition where a person experiences anxiety that is not related to a specific problem. Here is a list of symptoms that may indicate the presence of existential fear:
Trouble. Groundless fear, which is not preceded by any events.
Solitude. It seems to you that no one understands you.
Depression. The reason may be events from the past or pessimistic forecasts for the future.
Lack of motivation. You may not like your favorite thing, or you may have stopped seeing the meaning in it.
Obsessions. You have formed questions that you ask yourself more and more often without receiving answers.
If all these signs are present in your psychological state, it is quite possible that an existential crisis has begun. It can be caused by events in two categories – those that dramatically changed your life and those that pose a threat to it. It is best to seek help to get out of this state as soon as possible.
Examples of existential fear
At any age and in any condition, a person can feel this state of groundless fear, and falling into a specific life crisis. Specialists qualify them according to the following criteria:
Sophomore crisis. A period of life associated with transitions in career growth, personal relationships, and growing up. It can also be fear of change, or new job anxiety.
Adult crisis. Most often it happens to people who have already achieved something in life but faced conflicting moments themselves. It can relate to specific beliefs that need to be confirmed or refuted at that moment in life.
Late crisis. A person tries to analyze how he lived his life, what he leaves behind, and whether he did everything he could. Illness, death of a loved one, etc. can provoke these thoughts.
Is it possible to get rid of existential fear?
Some strong people are able to cope with their inner fears and overcome them. Others need help in the form of psychological counseling. There is no general treatment; each case is individual and requires a specific approach.
But existential fear has a tendency to return, especially in crisis moments of life, critical periods, and the death of relatives. Therefore, when you feel that anxiety, fear, and doubts are taking over you, try to increase your connections with society. Don’t be alone with your thoughts; keep a journal and communicate with friends.
For people with a subtle mental organization, this state is a reaction to any changes taking place around them. And there are often cases when it is existential fear that pushes people to make drastic changes, which later become the most successful period of their lives. Therefore, the main thing is not to allow fear to govern your life.
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