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Existential Depression: Definition, Symptoms, & How to Cope

Published: March 16, 2023 Updated: March 16, 2023
Published: 03/16/2023 Updated: 03/16/2023
Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Depression?Depression
  • What Is Existential Depression?Existential Depression
  • Existential Dread Vs. Existential DepressionDread Vs. Depression
  • Existential Depression SymptomsSymptoms
  • What Causes Existential Depression?Causes
  • How to Deal With Existential Depression9 Tips
  • When to Seek Professional HelpGetting Help
  • Final Thoughts on Existential DepressionConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Existential Depression InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD

Existential depression is a kind of depression brought on by questions about the meaning of life and the acknowledgment of death.1 Therapists trained in existential therapy can help people articulate their beliefs and identify what helps bring the most meaning to their lives.

Find a supportive therapist who can help with depression. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is Depression?

Depression is a serious mental health issue in which a person experiences symptoms such as social withdrawal, changes in sleep and appetite, and low mood—to name a few. Those struggling with depression often express feelings of melancholy, loss of motivation, and little interest in things that once brought joy.

What Is Existential Depression?

Existential depression involves not having personally satisfying answers to life’s major philosophical questions (e.g., “Why do people suffer,” “What is the meaning of life,” or “What happens after death?”). This can cause people to feel disconnected, resulting in an existential crisis that triggers depression. When a person’s philosophy and beliefs conflict, it can cause them to feel like an outsider, worsening their depression.

Often, when people undergo a great trauma or experience an unsettling event (like the death of a loved one or losing a job), their understanding of themselves and their place in the world often changes, causing them to temporarily “fall apart,” experiencing a type of depression called existential depression.2

Existential Depression in Gifted Individuals

Many experts believe that “gifted” people with a higher intellectual capacity (e.g., artists, scientists, or philosophers) may be at a greater risk for experiencing existential depression. Because thoughts related to existential depression typically involve significant self-reflection and analysis and not superficial observations, gifted individuals are considered more predisposed.3

One theory is that gifted individuals tend to be idealists. However, they are simultaneously able to see how the world falls short of their ideals. Unfortunately, they also recognize that their ability to make changes is limited.4

Existential Dread Vs. Existential Depression

Existential dread is a feeling of uncertainty of what your life may look like in the future. You may be in an in-between situation in your life in some way, and may have anxiety or anxious thoughts about your future. You may be worried about a lack of control of some kind. Onset of existential dread can also be due to a particular situation, such as a toxic job, losing a job, ending a relationship, moving to a new place, death of a loved one, etc.

Existential depression is a kind of depression in which someone does not have nor can find meaning in their existence as it is. They may lack any drive and often think of death and have higher suicidal ideation.

Existential Depression Symptoms

When thoughts about the purpose of your life, life choices, and the meaning of death become overwhelming, existential depression symptoms can occur. It can cause people to become paralyzed and overwhelmed. This often occurs after a traumatic event.

Common symptoms of existential depression include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Existential anxiety
  • Feelings of sadness
  • Feeling worthlessness and hopelessness
  • Inability to get pleasure from anything (anhedonia)
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Questioning the meaning of life
  • Focusing on thoughts of death and dying
  • The belief that life has no meaning
  • Holding yourself to impossibly high standards
  • Rumination about ongoing regret regarding life choices
  • Isolating yourself because you feel disconnected

What Causes Existential Depression?

An existential crisis is usually precipitated or triggered by a major life crisis like loss, illness, or a major change.

Potential causes for existential depression may include:5

  • Grief related to the death of a parent or other loved one
  • A chronic or debilitating illness
  • Sudden changes in circumstances, such as a job loss
  • Mid-life crisis

How to Deal With Existential Depression

There are many concrete actions you can take to help you to cope with and eventually overcome existential depression. It takes patience, time, willingness, and self-compassion.

Here are nine ways to deal with existential depression:

  1. Don’t ruminate about past decisions that you regret: you cannot change what happened in the past; focus on the present and positive future goals.
  2. Identify things that you’re passionate about: how can you incorporate these passions into your life to make it more meaningful.
  3. Meditate: meditation for depression helps to keep you in the present. It slows your body and helps clear your mind. Meditation can also foster a sense of peace and fend off disruptive influences.
  4. Journal to sort out thoughts, beliefs, and values: journaling helps to focus on the good, meaningful things in your daily life that make you grateful. Using journaling prompts for depression can help you sort out where your feelings are coming from and how to move forward.
  5. Reframe your perspective when a crisis occurs: ask yourself what you can do to get something positive out of the situation; try to view it as a new opportunity to bring meaning into your life.
  6. Reconnect with nature: nature can have a calming influence. Its beauty can heighten the senses and your awareness of what goes on around you. Just taking a walk outside can positively impact depression.
  7. Strengthen relationships: focus on the people in your life who energize you, strengthen your spirit, and bring meaning into your life.
  8. Find meaningful ways to enhance and contribute to the world around you: this could mean doing volunteer work, making financial contributions to important causes, or reaching out to help a relative, friend, or neighbor.
  9. Share your feelings: try to express complicated feelings with a friend, family members, or a therapist.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you find that your efforts to address existential depression have not yielded any changes or improvements, consider seeking out depression therapy from a mental health professional. Another reason to seek professional help is the emergence of suicidal feelings.7 If you’re ready to choose a therapist, start your search on a free online therapist directory.7

Types of Therapy to Treat Existential Depression

Find a therapist with expertise in logotherapy, existential therapy, or humanistic therapy:

  • Logotherapy: logotherapy, developed by Viktor Frankl, uses an existential approach to help patients determine meaning in their lives.
  • Existential therapy: existential therapy helps people get in touch with their authentic selves and face life challenges. It helps people who are wrestling with questions of identity, isolation, meaning, and anxiety.
  • Humanistic therapy: humanistic therapy is another option for treating existential depression. Its person-centered approach to treatment helps patients understand their potential, guiding them through a path of self-discovery. It also helps identify personal strengths and explores questions surrounding free will.

Final Thoughts on Existential Depression

Existential depression can be challenging to overcome, but there are many ways to cope and move forward with your life. Exploring major life concerns, examining your priorities, and exploring your worldview can be powerful and life-changing. Guidance from a trained mental health professional can help you delve deeper into these complex questions.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy 

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minute weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get Started

Online Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month)*. Get Started

Depression Newsletter

A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those impacted by depression. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up

Learn Anti-Stress & Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Online-Therapy, Hims / Hers, and Mindfulness.com. *Hims / Hers Disclaimer: Subscription required. After first month, price is $85/month for a monthly subscription or $49/month for a three-month subscription ($123 for first order, $147 billed quarterly thereafter). Subscription automatically renews unless you cancel at least 7 days before renewal is processed.

For Further Reading

  • Best Books on Depression
  • Best Blogs on Depression
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)

Existential Depression Infographics

What Is Existential Depression Existential Depression Symptoms How tp Deal with Existential Depression

7 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Gregory Estadt, Psy D. What Exactly is Existential Depression? (December 15, 2020) Retrieved from https://www.estadtpsychological.com/blog/248968-what-is-existential-depression

  • Webb, Ph.D. Dabrowski’s Theory and Existential Depression in Gifted Children and Adults. (July 9, 2020) Retrieved from https://www.positivedisintegration.com/Webb2008.pdf

  • Transformations. Confronting Existential Depression: How to Help Yourself and Your Loved Ones (July 12, 2020) Retrieved from https://www.mytransformations.com/post/confronting-existential-depression-how-to-help-yourself-and-your-loved-ones

  • J. Webb, Ph.D. Dabrowski’s Theory and Existential Depression in Gifted Children and Adults. (July 9, 2020) Retrieved from https://www.positivedisintegration.com/Webb2008.pdf

  • Cleveland Clinic. 6 Ways to Overcome an Existential Crisis. (June 26, 2020) Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ways-to-overcome-an-existential-crisis/

  • Psychology and Neuroscience. Evidence for existential depression as a distinct subtype? (December 2018) Retrieved from https://psychology.stackexchange.com/questions/18489/evidence-for-existential-depression-as-a-distinct-subtype

  • Cleveland Clinic. 6 Ways to Overcome an Existential Crisis. (June 26, 2020) Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ways-to-overcome-an-existential-crisis/

update history

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

  • Originally Published: February 8, 2022
    Original Author: Iris Waichler, MSW, LCSW
    Original Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD

  • Updated: March 16, 2023
    Author: No Change
    Reviewer: No Change
    Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “What Is Depression?” and “Existential Dread Vs. Existential Depression”. New material written by Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C and reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD.

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Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Depression?Depression
  • What Is Existential Depression?Existential Depression
  • Existential Dread Vs. Existential DepressionDread Vs. Depression
  • Existential Depression SymptomsSymptoms
  • What Causes Existential Depression?Causes
  • How to Deal With Existential Depression9 Tips
  • When to Seek Professional HelpGetting Help
  • Final Thoughts on Existential DepressionConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Existential Depression InfographicsInfographics
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