Existential Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Cope

Existential anxiety is a form of anxiety that is focused entirely on the meaning of life, questioning one’s existence, the dread of meaninglessness, or other aspects of life. Existential anxiety can be differentiated from other forms of anxiety by careful appraisal of symptomatology. The American Psychological Association defines existential anxiety as a general sense of anguish or despair associated with an individual’s recognition of the inevitability of death.1 Existential questions may arise from children who are dealing with loss, those who have suffered a fatal diagnosis, or others with existential concerns. In dealing with an existential crisis, it is important to have the courage to confront the loss of meaning and security.2

While existential anxiety may manifest in similar symptoms to another form of anxiety, with symptoms like rumination, negative thought patterns, panic attacks and more, this type of anxiety has a root cause of an existential crisis. However, existential anxiety can be treated with existential therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), wellness tools like journaling, and work with mental health professionals. If you are currently struggling with existential dread, a sense of meaninglessness, generalized anxiety disorder, or questions about your sense of purpose, our AMFM Mental Health Treatment centers can help. Call our helpline today to learn more about mental health and existential therapy.

existential anxiety

More on Existential Anxiety

 Existential Anxiety often manifests in common depression symptoms:

  • Meaninglessness
  • Loss of sense of purpose
  • Loss of sense of meaning
  • Isolation
  • Rumination
  • Negative thought patterns
  • Panic attacks
However, existential anxiety can be differentiated from other types of anxiety disorders due to its roots in an existential crisis or existential dread. Questions about the meaning of life are more common in gifted children or gifted individuals.3 When an individual is experiencing this type of fear, the existential thoughts can become overwhelming, and as a result, the individual may lose interest in his or her own life events or personal development. Someone grappling with these existential issues may begin to isolate or pull away from the people they love. If you or your loved one are struggling with existential anxiety, there are different ways to foster personal development and reinvigorate that sense of meaning in day to day life.

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History of Existentialism

Existentialism refers to the intellectual movement that exploded in mid-twentieth-century France, with the conceptual groundwork in the nineteenth century by pioneers and philosophers like  Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche.4 Some other popular voices include Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Gabriel Marcel, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and the moment–which took place across the backdrop of the second world war, forced an entire generation to confront the human condition and the anxiety-provoking fear of death, freedom, and meaninglessness.5 Existentialists look at the big questions surrounding the purpose of life, and finding meaning.

Existentialism and AI Emergence

The public has concerns including unpredictability, a sense of emptiness, anxiety, guilt over potential AI-related catastrophes, and fear of condemnation due to ethical dilemmas in AI, highlighting widespread apprehensions about humanity’s future in an AI-dominated era.6 As AI prevalence increases, existential fears and questions of one’s own mortality increase as well. 

How to Cope with Existential Anxiety

There are a number of ways for an individual who experiences existential anxiety to overcome their mental health obstacles with professional help. 

Mindfulness and Wellness

Mindfulness practices like journaling, yoga, meditation, and expressive arts are encouraged to treat many kinds of anxiety, not only the existential crises. Recent studies show that mindfulness is related to lower levels of anxiety both directly and indirectly. Suppression, reappraisal, worry and rumination all acted as significant mediators of the relationship between mindfulness and anxiety.7 

Existential Therapy

Existential therapy is a type of CBT and DBT method of psychotherapy that uses philosophical and psychological elements to help people understand their place in the world. The goal is to develop a sense of meaning in one’s own life, taking an existential approach to mental health therapy, using intellectual ideas to foster a stronger sense of life’s meaning, increasing well-being.

Theory of Positive Disintegration

Kazimierz Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration (TPD) is a complex theory of personality development that sees certain signs of mental illness or mental health conditions, in combination with personality flaws are seen as positive signs that a person is developing their personality toward their “personality ideal”, or the most altruistic, most worthy, best form of themselves.8 Essentially, those who are focused on self-awareness and navigating their poor mental health symptoms are actually undergoing the process of growth and moving toward a better version of themselves. This theory is commonly used in treating existential anxiety and depression, proving a purpose in one’s life—to become a better person. 

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Short-Term Strategies to Calm Anxiety

Anxiety symptoms can be deeply uncomfortable, and it makes sense to need relaxation techniques in your daily life. If you’re looking for mental health treatment to help with anxiety management, don’t hesitate to reach out today.

Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques can be helpful to break the cycle of anxious thoughts when you or your loved one might feel an anxiety attack coming on. One simple but effective grounding technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method: name five things you see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This practice can help you acknowledge your surroundings and get you out of your head’s negative thought cycles.9

Breathing Exercises

There are a variety of breathing techniques and deep breathing exercises that are helpful when your anxiety symptoms feel overwhelming or out of control. One simple deep breathing exercise is to use a count to five as you breathe in, hold it for four counts, then release it for five counts, and repeat until you begin to feel yourself relax. 

Physical Stimulation

Physical stimulation can help you to jump start your body out of the fight-or-flight physical response of anxiety. Taking a cold shower, splashing your face with cold water, tasting sour candy, going for a run (and other types of physical activity) are all ways to trick your body into remembering that it is in a safe place.

Expressive Arts

Wellness activities like yoga, journaling, making playlists, art therapy and more can help build the mind-body connection and self-esteem through a more holistic healing process.

Health Insurance for Existential Anxiety

Most health insurance companies provide some form of coverage for anxiety treatment. This often includes both inpatient and outpatient care, depending on your symptoms and form of anxiety. Insurance provider coverage generally applies to therapy, counseling, and medication management services. Your plan may have limitations, exclusions, or required authorizations.

We encourage you to verify your coverage with AMFM Mental Health Treatment to understand the full scope of your benefits. This is especially true if you’re looking for specific treatments, like existential anxiety treatments or persistent depressive disorder treatment options. Call Now

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What is Anxiety Mental Health Treatment Like?

In a mental health treatment center, the day-to-day may vary depending upon your diagnoses and personalized treatment plan, but it will often consist of some combination of individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, psychiatry services, and more. AMFM Mental Health Treatment combines holistic and evidence-based mental health services in order to help each person overcome their particular obstacles and mental health conditions with a fresh toolkit of skills.

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions can be used to help provide structured times to help you understand that you are not alone in your struggles, offering peer support, and the reminder that others are also walking through these challenges. At the same time, groups provide guidance from qualified mental health professionals, with suggestions and communication from psychologists with specialized backgrounds. These groups can span a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to art therapy, somatic therapy, and narrative therapy.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that’s focused on restructuring and reprogramming maladaptive and negative thought processes. Psychologists are trained to help adults and young adults change their cognitive and emotional processes in order to outgrow maladaptive coping mechanisms.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is most commonly referred to as “talk therapy,” and is designed to help process emotions. Qualified professionals offer psychological therapy to move forward with healthy ways of engaging in interpersonal relationships and alleviating physical and emotional distress.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

EMDR Therapy is a renowned method of reprocessing most often used in trauma therapy. By activating the prefrontal cortex through a series of bilateral stimulation, qualified mental health professionals can lead you through traumatic experiences, helping you to alleviate the distress symptomized by trauma.

Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Services

A crisis is defined by the National Library of Medicine “as an overwhelming event, which can include divorce, violence, the passing of a loved one, or the discovery of a serious illness.” The goal of crisis intervention is to provide safety and reduce any potential harm to an individual undergoing a crisis.

Family Therapy

AMFM Mental Health Treatment offers family therapy through virtual family support groups that provide a dedicated time for families to engage in supportive and constructive interactions, fostering stronger relationships, and enhancing the overall treatment experience. Recovery takes a village, and it’s often helpful for family members to be involved in behavioral growth.

Are you or a loved one struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges?

Reaching out for help in your mental health journey can be difficult, emotional and overwhelming. With A Mission For Michael Mental Health Treatment, we’re with you throughout your journey, offering compassion, guidance, resources, and understanding the whole way. There are many mental health providers out there, and we want to connect you with the right fit. If you are interested, confused, or need help regarding mental health care, give AMFM a call. You or your loved one don’t have to walk through this alone. 

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By submitting this form you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy and give my express written consent for AMFM Healthcare to contact me at the number provided above, even if this number is a wireless number or if I am presently listed on a Do Not Call list.

I understand that I may be contacted by telephone, email, text message or mail regarding my disability benefit case options and that I may be called using automatic dialing equipment. Message and data rates may apply. My consent does not require purchase. Message frequency varies. Text HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Disclaimer

What to expect

Contact From Admission Representative:

Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.

American Psychological Association. (n.d.-a). Apa Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. https://dictionary.apa.org/existential-anxiety 

Yang W, Staps T, Hijmans E. Existential crisis and the awareness of dying: the role of meaning and spirituality. Omega (Westport). 2010;61(1):53-69. doi: 10.2190/OM.61.1.c. PMID: 20533648.

Davidson Institute. (2025, April 7). Dabrowski’s theory and existential depression in gifted children and adults. https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/dabrowskis-theory-and-existential-depression-in-gifted-children-and-adults/ 

Aho, K. (2023, January 6). Existentialism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/

Alkhalifah, J. M., Bedaiwi, A. M., Shaikh, N., Seddiq, W., & Meo, S. A. (2025, July 6). Existential anxiety about Artificial Intelligence (AI)- is it the end of humanity era or a new chapter in the Human Revolution: Questionnaire-based Observational Study. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1368122/full 

Parmentier FBR, García-Toro M, García-Campayo J, Yañez AM, Andrés P, Gili M. Mindfulness and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the General Population: The Mediating Roles of Worry, Rumination, Reappraisal and Suppression. Front Psychol. 2019 Mar 8;10:506. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00506. PMID: 30906276; PMCID: PMC6418017.

Schläppy ML. Understanding Mental Health Through the Theory of Positive Disintegration: A Visual Aid. Front Psychol. 2019 Jun 4;10:1291. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01291. PMID: 31214091; PMCID: PMC6558145.

Smith, Sara. “BHP Blog – Behavioral Health Partners (BHP).” BHP Blog – Behavioral Health Partners (BHP) – University of Rochester Medical Center, 10 April 2018, https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/behavioral-health-partners/bhp-blog/april-2018/5-4-3-2-1-coping-technique-for-anxiety. Accessed 9 April 2025.