{"id":117294,"date":"2019-11-14T11:00:51","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T11:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=117294"},"modified":"2023-03-09T08:29:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T08:29:01","slug":"what-is-an-existential-crisis-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-an-existential-crisis-signs.htm","title":{"rendered":"What is an Existential Crisis? Are You Having One?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_117298\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/3627585077_f94d5c9c21.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-117298\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-117298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/3627585077_f94d5c9c21-400x300.jpg\" alt=\"existential crisis\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/3627585077_f94d5c9c21-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/3627585077_f94d5c9c21.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-117298\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/jdhancock\/3627585077\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" \">JD Hancock<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #333399;\">by Andrea M. Darcy<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Has a recent life change left you wondering, &#8220;What&#8217;s the point?&#8221;<\/strong> Or are you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/worry-and-anxiety-difference.htm\">worrying<\/a> about<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/talking-to-children-about-death-and-dying.htm\"> death<\/a>, and if you\u2019ve done enough with your life? You might be having an existential crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">What is an existential crisis?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>The idea of an \u2018existential crisis\u2019 is not new. It\u2019s been discussed for almost a century, <\/strong>connected to the rise of philosophical anthropology. It&#8217;s also linked to schools of thought like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/the-humanistic-approach.htm\">the humanistic movement<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-logotherapy.htm\">logotherapy<\/a>, and, of course,\u00a0 existentialism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Existentialism believes we determine our life\u2019s journey<\/strong>, and the meaning our life has, with our freedom of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/overanalyse-choice-paralysis.htm\">choice<\/a>. It\u2019s up to us to make rational <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/how-to-take-a-decision.htm\">decisions<\/a>, even if the world around us seems anything but. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>An &#8216;existential crisis&#8217; refers to a period of life where we lose sight of life\u2019s meaning, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/powerlessness-when-world-events-overwhelm.htm\">feel powerless<\/a> to create any.<\/strong> Emmy van Deurzen, credited with bringing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-existential-psychotherapy.htm\">existential psychotherapy<\/a> to the UK, explains an existential crisis as:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #993366;\">&#8220;&#8230;some specific circumstance in which we experience our basic sense of survival, security, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/who-am-i-identity-crisis.htm\">identity<\/a> or significance as being threatened. Such existential threats may be of a physical, social, emotional or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/spirituality-and-mental-health.htm\">spiritual<\/a> nature, and may be directed toward one&#8217;s self, others, the world in general or the ideas and perceptions we live by. They shock and shake us out of our sense of safety and complacency, forcing us to question and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/doubt-in-relationships.htm\">doubt<\/a> our most deeply held <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/values-and-beliefs.htm\">beliefs or values<\/a>.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Signs you are having an existential crisis <\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Like any form of crisis, you can:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"> feel unable to be<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>yourself<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">have erratic moods <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">show signs of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/anxiety-vs-depression.htm\">anxiety and\/or depression <\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/connecting-with-people.htm\">feel disconnected<\/a> from people around you <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/feeling-overwhelmed-with-life.htm\">find it hard to keep up with your day-to-day life<\/a>. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">When it is an existential crisis, you will also:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">find your thought patterns changed to constantly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/good-questions-to-ask.htm\">asking \u2018big\u2019 questions <\/a><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">worrying if you have any purpose<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\">wanting to know what life means<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"> obsessing about death, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/losing-someone-to-suicide.htm\">dying<\/a>, and the afterlife<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">struggle to find satisfying answers to your big questions<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">feel frustrated and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/depression-vs-sadness.htm\">sad<\/a> when you can\u2019t find answers<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">feel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/decision-making-skills-mental-health.htm\">indecisive<\/a> and confused as to what to do next<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">possibly<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/managing-suicidal-thoughts.htm\"> feel it\u2019s best to end life entirely<\/a>. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Why am I questioning everything and anything?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_117299\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/8584567050_6a26dfdb7e.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-117299\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-117299\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/8584567050_6a26dfdb7e-400x338.jpg\" alt=\"existential crisis\" width=\"400\" height=\"338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/8584567050_6a26dfdb7e-400x338.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/8584567050_6a26dfdb7e.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-117299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/29233640@N07\/8584567050\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" \">Robert Couse-Baker<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>An existential crisis can be the result of a <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/depression-symptoms.htm\">period of depression.<\/a>\u00a0Your endless <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/negative-thinking.htm\">ruminating<\/a> over the past leads to despair and questioning the point of life. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>But often, an existential crisis will happen during or after a<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/life-changing-events.htm\"> life change<\/a>, such as a: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">major illness <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/birthday-blues-milestones-affect-mental-health.htm\"><span class=\"s1\">landmark birthday<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/unemployment-improving-self-esteem.htm\"><span class=\"s1\">redundancy <\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/10-ways-help-debt-problems.htm\"><span class=\"s1\">bankruptcy <\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">gender reassignment<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/truth-about-grief-and-bereavement.htm\"><span class=\"s1\">bereavement<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">loss of religion<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">time of too much responsibility<\/span><span class=\"s1\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">How is an existential crisis different than a midlife crisis? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Age and facing our mortality can trigger an existential crisis. So you might have one along\u00a0 with<\/strong> your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/midlife-crisis-help-guide.htm\">midlife crisis<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>The difference is that a<\/strong> <strong>midlife crisis is about feeling you haven\u2019t done enough with your life.<\/strong> It leads to a flurry of action.\u00a0 The cliche red sports car or trip around the world. Or things like a sudden <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wrong-career-path.htm\">career change<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/getting-over-a-breakup.htm\">leaving a relationship<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>An existential crisis is about feeling that life has no meaning<\/strong>. It leads to deep questioning. You would be more likely to buy a philosophy book, or find yourself trying a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/spirituality-and-mental-health.htm\">spiritual path<\/a>, then to rush off to buy that sports car. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">How is an existential crisis different to depression and anxiety?<\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_117300\" style=\"width: 410px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/35920157116_f83ca0852c-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-117300\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-117300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/35920157116_f83ca0852c-1-400x267.jpg\" alt=\"existential crisis\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/35920157116_f83ca0852c-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/35920157116_f83ca0852c-1-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/35920157116_f83ca0852c-1.jpg 499w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-117300\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">By: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/29233640@N07\/35920157116\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" \">Robert Couse-Baker<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Depression and anxiety, in and of themselves, often have their roots in the past.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-are-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces.htm\">Unstable childhoods<\/a>, or<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/how-can-i-remember-childhood-trauma-abuse.htm\"> childhood trauma<\/a>, lead to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/cognitive-distortions.htm\">unhelpful patterns of thinking<\/a> and relating that drive these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-mental-health.htm\">mental health issues<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>An existential crisis is more likely to be rooted in recent<\/strong> life change or<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-psychological-trauma.htm\"> trauma<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">But there is overlap. M<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\"><strong>any people experience <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/depression-symptoms.htm\">depression<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/signs-of-anxiety-disorder.htm\">anxiety<\/a> during an existential crisis. It leaves you worried about your future, and anxiety is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/feeling-of-fear.htm\">fearful<\/a> and increasingly illogical thoughts about the future. A crisis also has you ruminating over the past and what you failed to do that could have given<a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/finding-your-purpose-anxiety.htm\"> life purpose<\/a>. Ruminating is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/cognitive-distortions.htm\">thought pattern of depression<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\" style=\"color: #333399;\">So whereas depression and anxiety can and often do exist independently, an existential crisis generally involves some anxiety and\/or depression. And depression can lead to an existential crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Why losing sight of our purpose can be a good thing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If we don&#8217;t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/good-questions-to-ask.htm\">question things<\/a>, we don&#8217;t find new and more useful answers, and better ways forward. To quote <span class=\"s1\">Emmy van Deurzen once more &#8212;<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><span class=\"s1\">&#8220;T<\/span><span class=\"s1\">hese disorienting and anxiety provoking periods of crisis are perceived as both a perilous passage, and an opportunity for transformation and growth.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>What types of therapy can help me navigate an existential crisis?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/existential-therapy-right-fit.htm\">Existential psychotherapy<\/a> would of course be a perfect fit. Other types of therapy that can help you look at what brings life meaning for you, personally, are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/what-is-transpersonal-therapy.htm\">transpersonal psychotherapy<\/a>, which has a spiritual aspect, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/carl-jung-introduction-jungian-psychology.htm\">Jungian therapy<\/a>, with it&#8217;s focus on wholeness and self-transcendence.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Ready to find what gives your life meaning and purpose? We connect you with highly experienced psychotherapists in London who can help. Or use <a href=\"https:\/\/harleytherapy.com\/?utm_source=Harley%20Therapy%20Blog&amp;utm_content=Post%20End\"><span style=\"color: #333399;\">our booking platform<\/span><\/a> to source <a href=\"https:\/\/harleytherapy.com\/?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=Harley%20Therapy%20Blog&amp;utm_content=Post%20End\"><span style=\"color: #333399;\">UK-wide therapists<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/harleytherapy.com\/therapists?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=harleytherapy.co.uk&amp;utm_content=Post%20End\"><span style=\"color: #333399;\">online counsellors<\/span><\/a> you can work with from anywhere.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amdarcy.com\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-117271 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-yellow-e1675110089673-150x150.png\" alt=\"Andrea M. Darcy mental health expert\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-yellow-e1675110089673-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-yellow-e1675110089673-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-yellow-e1675110089673-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/wp-content\/uploads\/headshot-yellow-e1675110089673.png 268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>Andrea M. Darcy<\/b><\/a> is a mental health and wellbeing expert with training in person-centred counselling and coaching. She often writes about trauma, relationships, and ADHD, and advises people on how to plan their therapy journey. Find her on Instagram @am_darcy<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Andrea M. Darcy Has a recent life change left you wondering, &#8220;What&#8217;s the point?&#8221; Or are you worrying about death, and if you\u2019ve done enough with your life? You might be having an existential crisis. What is an existential crisis? The idea of an \u2018existential crisis\u2019 is not new. It\u2019s been discussed for almost [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":117300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[324,214],"class_list":["post-117294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-anxiety-and-stress","tag-life-changes","tag-mental-health-crisis","has_thumb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is an Existential Crisis? Are You Having One? - Harley Therapy\u2122 Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is an existential crisis, and are you having one? 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Darcy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/AndreaMDarcy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@HarleyTherapy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Andrea M. Darcy\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\\\/counselling\\\/what-is-an-existential-crisis-signs.htm\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\\\/counselling\\\/what-is-an-existential-crisis-signs.htm\",\"name\":\"What is an Existential Crisis? 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Darcy","author_link":"#"},"uagb_comment_info":1,"uagb_excerpt":"by Andrea M. Darcy Has a recent life change left you wondering, &#8220;What&#8217;s the point?&#8221; Or are you worrying about death, and if you\u2019ve done enough with your life? You might be having an existential crisis. What is an existential crisis? The idea of an \u2018existential crisis\u2019 is not new. 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