Existential Anxiety: Everything You Need to Know

What is Existential Anxiety?

Existential anxiety is, put very simply, a fear of death (thanatophobia). This is often attributed to and linked to general anxiety. Although there are no specific tests that can be undertaken to diagnose thanatophobia, it can be characterised as a persistent and clinically significant fear of death and dying. This may manifest itself in an existential crisis, which can generally be resolved, or as a chronic and pervasive fear that exists throughout the lifespan.

Who Experiences Existential Anxiety?

The majority of people will, at some point during their life, experience existential fear or worry. When this fear reaches a level of clinical significance, then it can be classified as a phobia or thanatophobia. Generally speaking, younger people are more likely to suffer from thanatophobia: instances peak during the age of mid-20s but can start as young as 4 years old. People in their 50s are also more likely to suffer from thanatophobia. Risk factors include a high IQ, highly sensitive character traits, and an upbringing featuring rigid belief structures, such as fear-based doctrines, cults, and the illusion of control and safety.

Symptoms of Existential Anxiety

• Anxiety, and fear of the unknown
• OCD tendencies
• Morbid fascinations
• Persistent worry and hypochondriasis
• Depression
• Too much meaning and fear of it ending (the void)
• Addiction (to avoid ‘the void’)
• Inability to live in the now, and always focussing on the past or the future

Unique Aspects of Existential Anxiety

People suffering from existential crises often search for meaning following a significant life event- for example, divorce, childbirth, death of a loved one. They may experience a shattering of identity and previously held religious, philosophical or ethical beliefs and form an overwhelming awareness of how complex and mysterious reality is. A deep and incessant searching of science, religion and spirituality is often present, as well as a heightened vulnerability to seeking answers to the unknowable. Additionally, the person may experience a sense of ego death, death of life as they knew it, and death of self (acute awareness of unhealthy and toxic mental health patterns, behaviours and unconscious activities in the larger society.

Existential Issues Across the Lifespan

Fear of death is less present from the age of 6 years until puberty. During adolescence, a person with existential anxiety often manifests their fear of death through risk-taking, video games, taking drugs, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. During the time of life where work, study and having a family often feature (ie, during a person’s 20s and 30s), the issues may become less present. When a person enters their middle years, they may once again suffer from existential anxiety in the form of a ‘mid-life crisis’.

Existential Avoidance: How it Hides and Manifests Clinically

Existential issues may not manifest clearly. Often a person who is hiding their existential anxiety avoids a personal sense of control and places the blame onto others, such as parents, partners etc. Compulsive behaviour is another way in which existential anxiety may hide from view, ie addiction, irrational thoughts and behaviour. A defensive mechanism may be remaining in dysfunction in terms of their job, relationship, and unrealistic world views. A constant search for love and the need to connect with other people may result from a fear of isolation. For some, organised religion is a solution to their anxiety.

Gaps in the Health & Mental Health System

The current health mental health system does not appear to be conducive to the diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from an existential crisis specifically. Few health professionals are willing to ask about fear of death or dying, and the medicare model doesn’t support the treatment of existential issues.

Treatment of Existential Anxiety

An experienced Psychologist will be able to treat existential anxiety with a range of therapies, including existential therapy. In time, the person may actually come to see the benefits of having had an existential crisis, which there are many. These include maturity, depth and wisdom, as well as a sense of awakening to a more ethical way of being. An awareness and greater appreciation for relationships, an increase in interest, and the ability to wrestle with uncertainty and doubt are also positive outcomes that are experienced by many who have undergone this type of anxiety.