Existential crises are periods in our lives when we feel like we’re stuck, unable to move forward or backward. We may find ourselves doubting who we are and what our purpose is, feeling as though we’re just floating through life without any real goals or direction. The causes of existential crises vary widely; some people experience them after the loss of a loved one while others might be diagnosed with depression following a particularly stressful period in their lives. All too often these kinds of experiences can lead to feelings of despair because they can seem so insurmountable: You feel like there’s no way out and that your problems will never get better!
Loss of a loved one
The loss of a loved one is a big trigger for an existential crisis. When someone close to you dies, it can be hard to understand how the world could keep moving forward without them in it. It’s common for feelings of grief and sadness after the death of someone close to you, but sometimes these feelings can go deeper than just sadness. If you’re dealing with depression or anger because of the death of a loved one, it may be an indicator that you’re going through an existential crisis as well.
When faced with this kind of loss and emptiness, some people try to cope by turning toward religion or spirituality (or even magic) as a way to make sense of what happened and perhaps gain answers about why their loved one was taken away from them so suddenly. This is where things start getting difficult: when we try any sort of coping mechanism like this over another person’s beliefs (like their religious beliefs), then there’s bound to be a conflict between us at some point—and sometimes those conflicts become irreconcilable differences that end our relationships altogether.
Separation from a loved one
You might be thinking, “I have plenty of friends! I have a strong family! I have a great job. What do these things have to do with an existential crisis?” But it’s not just about having relationships in your life. It’s about your ability to feel emotionally connected to others and to feel that you belong somewhere.
This is why the separation from someone close can trigger an existential crisis—you lose not only their physical presence, but also the sense of emotional connection that they gave you, both through their acceptance, love, and support as well as by their very existence in your life. Existential crises are also often triggered by other losses: moving away from home or changing jobs or partners; having children leave home; or when you suddenly realize that everyone around you is growing old (while your own clock keeps ticking).
A loss of a job, an illness, or a death in the family
Losing a job, having an illness, or facing any other major life change can also trigger an existential crisis. These events might cause you to reevaluate your priorities and goals, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress.
When someone experiences a major tragedy in their life and they don’t have anyone around them who understands what they’re going through, it can be hard for that person to cope with their emotions. They may begin questioning their purpose in life or why things happened the way they did. This feeling of hopelessness could start causing feelings of isolation and loneliness as well; this is only made worse if there isn’t anyone available for support during this time of need.
An addiction
An addiction can be a form of escapism. It can also be a way to avoid facing one’s problems in life. For example, if you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol and your life is falling apart around you, you may use the substance as an excuse for why things aren’t going well: “I’m not doing well because I’m drunk all the time.” In this situation, it’s actually easier for someone to stay in their addiction than it is for them to confront the issues they’re dealing with and face them head-on.
Disappointment in oneself or what one has done, especially after triumphs.
An existential crisis is a time when you feel as if life isn’t worth living, and your sense of self-worth has plummeted. It can also be triggered by disappointment in oneself or what one has done, especially after triumphs.
During an existential crisis, you may experience feelings of depression and anxiety that can be overwhelming at times. This can make it difficult to function normally with family or friends on a daily basis. You may not even want to get out of bed in the morning because there’s just no point in living anymore!
Existential therapy can help you manage an existential crisis.
Existential therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping people with problems related to their existence, their self-awareness, and their relationship with the world around them. Existential therapy helps individuals understand what they truly want out of life and often involves helping a person come to terms with his or her mortality.
It is important for those experiencing an existential crisis to seek out professional help from a counselor or therapist who has experience dealing with this particular issue. The individual may need someone who can help him or her work through feelings of despair and hopelessness while also giving practical advice on how he or she can regain control over his or her own life.
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