What is the meaning of life? Do I have a purpose? What’s the point? Who am I? If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, you may be experiencing existential anxiety also commonly referred to as an existential crisis.
While not a formal diagnosis in the DSM-5, existential anxiety is a recognized and deeply human experience, marked by inner conflict about meaning, purpose, choice, and identity. Mental health professionals often refer to it as one of the core types of anxiety, distinct from general, social, or panic-based anxiety.
Those who experience existential anxiety are often grappling with fundamental questions about existence. As humans, our brains are wired to contemplate abstract concepts, and during times of stress, transition, grief, or trauma, these questions can become more intense and overwhelming.
This type of anxiety frequently emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, when identity formation is underway and life paths are still uncertain. However, existential anxiety can surface at any age. During midlife transitions or later in life, when reflections on mortality, legacy, and life choices become more pronounced.
Symptoms and Effects
Existential anxiety can result in an overwhelming sense that life lacks meaning or direction. You may find yourself caught in cycles of overthinking or wrestling with questions that seem impossible to answer. This constant mental spinning can be exhausting, leading to emotional burnout and a sense of detachment from yourself or your goals. It may amplify symptoms of
depression or anxiety, especially when you begin to feel trapped by your own thoughts. The experience can be isolating, and it’s not uncommon for people to feel that no one else understands the depth of what they’re going through.
Physically, existential anxiety may present through symptoms such as insomnia, reduced appetite, or low energy. Some individuals also experience panic symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or trembling. These bodily sensations can be distressing, adding another layer of fear or confusion to what is already a challenging experience. While the specific symptoms will vary from person to person, if you find that you’re constantly questioning your thoughts, your identity, or the point of it all and those thoughts are impacting your well-being it’s worth considering that existential anxiety may be part of what you’re experiencing.
Nutrition and Lifestyle
Although existential anxiety doesn’t originate from nutrition or lifestyle choices, attending to these areas can still provide support for your overall mental health. This isn’t to say that dietary changes should replace psychotherapy, but they can help reduce the general symptoms of anxiety that often accompany existential distress. A diet that includes magnesium-rich foods like leafy greens or legumes may reduce anxiety, as well as foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon. Zinc has also been linked to mood stability, and can be found in foods like egg yolks or beef.
Lifestyle choices, especially related to sleep, are also important. A lack of sleep can increase feelings of being out of control and disconnected from yourself. When sleep is disrupted, negative self-talk, low mood, and anxious thought patterns tend to become more prominent. This
can heighten existential anxiety by making it harder to feel grounded or secure. Ensuring that you’re resting well, eating regularly, and engaging in daily movement or mindfulness can offer a stabilizing foundation while you explore deeper emotional work.
Symptom Management
Managing existential anxiety begins with understanding that your symptoms are trying to tell you something. They can be used as guideposts in your treatment journey. In addition to psychotherapy, CARESPACE Health+Wellness offers a range of multidisciplinary supports. Massage therapy may help reduce the physical tension that builds up in the body due to chronic stress or overthinking. Naturopaths can work with you to explore how diet, hormone balance, or nutrient deficiencies might be contributing to your emotional state. These approaches, when used together, can help ease the body and mind while you engage in the deeper work of psychotherapy.
Existential anxiety is a deeply personal and often isolating experience but you don’t have to navigate it alone. If any of this resonated with you and you’re curious about exploring your thoughts, identity, or purpose more deeply, consider booking a psychotherapy session at CARESPACE Health+Wellness. I’d be happy to work with you in creating space to process what you’re feeling, explore your inner world, and begin finding clarity and meaning in the uncertainty.
