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existential anxiety


17 years ago 0 69 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Oh, and one more thing before I go: Depersonalization and derealization. It visits me once in a while. I could write a book on it. I find that I have it once in a while, but when I am not experiencing it, it's almost like I never did. Does anyone else have this happen to them? David
17 years ago 0 69 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
This is a discussion I know well. These thoughts and feelings visit me in times of HIGH anxiety and the lows of depression. Somewhere in the middle is where things are OK. Thoughts of why are we here? and what created all the heavens and the earth? and when did life begin, etc, etc etc, have been thought about since man has been around. My wife and I often talk about the realities of life and death and all the whys and hows. The best weapon I can tell you that helps with any kind of anxiety, whether it be existential or just plain panic or depression mixed with anxiety is exercise. Exercise is the one constant in my life that has helped me cope with the lows of depression and all the thoughts I have read in this thread. It's not always easy to pull yourself up and say you're going to make yourself feel better. And I cannot say in fact that exercise always works, but it helps with endorphins and it helps you relax. I had all kind of crazy thoughts while I was in high school. I'd sit there in class and none of the class knew, but I'd have anxiety attack after anxiety attack. Sometimes I'd ask to use the bathroom just so I could spare myself from having another anxiety attack. The other best possible advice I can offer is try your hardest to keep busy doing something you like. I know it does not make everything better, but it's one method of several methods at keeping yourself balanced. I remember during high school, I was seeing a therapist, and I used to wonder what he'd say if I told him I thought I had died and I was just imagining I was alive. Or that I was alive, but just imagining that everything was happening that was happening. I've got more thoughts on this, but bedtime is awaiting. Take care, David
17 years ago 0 54 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Horray! Someone else with existential angst! Well I certainly have that and so does my husband and he does not have anxiety or panic attacks!!! We often have discussions about life and the universe and end up feeling quite "weird". These are questions without answers aren't they? The only think we know for sure is that we are here and that we will die. What is in between has to be what we make of it. If you feel your therapist is not helping then you need to either question this with the therapist or find another therapist that suits you better. Personally I would discuss with the therapist why you feel the therapy is not helping and then make a decision afterwards. As regards the existential angst nobody has an answer and we need to find a way to live with the uncertainty of it all. I try not to think about it as I know I can not answer the questions and it makes me feel incredibly anxious if I get too carried away. My biggest one is - where did the universe come from?! Any suggestions anyone?
17 years ago 0 165 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Dear Lindzardz, Boy can I relate to what you are talking about. Some nights I can't look up at the sky as it makes me feel so small and insignificant. I start thinking about why I am here and what's it all about. A friend told me to imagine a tail(or whatever you choose to see)coming from my backbone and shooting itself into the earth to ground me here as I too do not feel a part of the world, or that I am about to float away. I'm not sure what your beliefs are but I use my faith (what little I have right now) to try and keep my focus. Reading about things may help but it might make it worse. You could find yourself overthinking the whole why are we here process. I would be more inclined to read inspirational stuff. Things to help your mind be more calm. I hope some of this helps.
17 years ago 0 2101 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hiya, Well it sounds like you are having a rough time of it lately. I think all of us worriers on this site have had our experiences of asking ourselves existential questions and freaking ourselves out. I know i have. Then when you team that up with depersonnalisation and derealization it can be a really scary and potent combo. But there is a way out of this. Just hang in there This too shall pass. I have found that going to see a therapist and doing the program has really been helping me since my relapse. So maybe that could help you too. Anyway, i hope to hear from you soon. Take care and be good to yourself, you can beat this :) -Diva
17 years ago 0 799 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi lindzardz, Fellow members will be by soon to share their thoughts on this. It is unfortunate that you are not finding your current therapist very helpful. Please don't let this keep you from seeking assistance. Is there any way that you can get in touch with or see the psychiatrist that you do trust? Let them know everything that you have discussed here. They can assist in coming up with a plan to help you overcome these feelings. You may also want to consider using the online program offered here to address some of these issues. Take care and keep us posted on your progress, Casey ________________________________ The Panic Center Support Team
17 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
so i have a question for you all....ive had anxiety for 6 years now, i see a therapist and ive been trying out different anti-depressants to see if they will help me get through this recent relapse of anxiety. first of all, i hate taking meds, i took lexapro for 2 years and was so happy to get off of it and function without any drugs at all...the suddenly the jan. i had a panic attack (not too bad) and from there, me anxiety got worse and worse and now it seems to be the worse it has ever been. i am completely depersonalized and i cannot stop thinking the world is not real...my question is- has anyone of you gotten stuck on existential questions?? like literally not feeling attached to the earth? or wondering how in the hell are we just floating along in space and how is space here and when and how did this all happen?!?! being a human being feels crazy and foreign...i know a lot of you probably feel out of body during your panic attacks but i feel it always and i cannot seem to get grounded. i cannot convince myself that reality exits. i just cant. maybe i dont want to. maybe im avoiding it. i mean right now, i feel very alone and isolated (mostly my choosing) and i feel right now, in the midst of this crisis im having, i have no one to help me out. i feel like how can i possibly live with these feelings??? theyre so extreme and the fact that i cannot get answers makes me feel worse....i know i should probably find ways to understand the universe better, read some books about it or something...maybe this is god or whatevers way of trying to get me to see something. but its terrifying. if i could just feel like the world is real and like the last 22 years of my life actually happened i would be feeling a lot better right now. im so scared of living right now. i just want to feel my body, feel the earth, know the earth is here and has a purpose...and stop being so existential because it makes me collapse on the floor in a ball and sob...im lost and scared and just want to feel normal but i fear i will have these thoughts forever now that i realize how powerful they are....and i cant live like that. today i drove myself to the hospital and sat there and called a friend who didnt know what to say. i have a therapist who doesnt quite get it at all....and i have a

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