History of Existential Anxiety:

Existential anxiety began to be discussed seriously in the 19th century, through the work
of the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. He explained that people often feel a deep inner fear when
they realize they are responsible to make their own choices, but must also take full accountability
for those choices. This feeling was different from normal fear because it was not about
something dangerous happening. It came from thinking about life itself, such as questions about
identity, purpose, and making the “right” decisions. Work of Kierkegaard was later recognised,
ad his ideas were an early explanation of existential anxiety because they focused on the
emotional struggle that comes with being human and having freedom.

In the 20th century, this idea was further developed by philosophers like Martin
Heidegger and psychologists such as Rollo May. Heidegger described existential anxiety as the
feeling that arises when people become aware that life has no fixed meaning and that death is yet
to come . After major events like the World Wars, many researchers observed that people felt
more uncertain, isolated, and confused about their purpose in life. Psychologists later explained
that existential anxiety is a normal part of human experience rather than a mental disorder.
Research suggests that this type of anxiety can push individuals to think deeply about their
values and the kind of life they want to live.

What is existential anxiety?

Existential anxiety is the discomfort people feel when they understand that there’s no
ready-made meaning in life and they have to create their own. Psychologists say this feeling is
normal and often appears during big changes, losses, or moments when someone pauses and
reflects on their life. It’s not an illness, but a very human response to thinking deeply about
existence (Yalom, 1980). It’s not the same as being scared of something specific. Instead, it
comes from realizing that life is uncertain, that you have freedom to choose, and that your
choices actually matter.
Theories of Existential Anxiety:

1. Terror Management Theory:

Terror Management Theory is a psychological explanation for why humans do the things
they do. It suggests that almost everything we call "culture" is actually a giant shield we built to
protect ourselves from the scary realization that we will eventually die.

Most animals have a fight or flight nature to stay alive. Humans have that too, but we
also have a highly developed brain. This brain allows us to plan for the future, but it also forces
us to realize that no matter how hard we fight, we are biological organisms that will one day stop
to exist. According to Greenberg, Pyszczynski, and Solomon, this creates a deep, subconscious
terror. To keep this terror from paralyzing us, we created a psychological "buffer" system.

The theory argues that we have wrapped ourselves in two layers of protection. First is the
Cultural Worldview. This is the reality we live in, basically our religion, our national identity, or
our political beliefs. These stories give life meaning and promise that something about us will
last forever (either through an afterlife or a heritage). Second is Self-Esteem, which is the feeling
that you are a good person according to your culture's rules. If you feel valuable, you feel safe
(Solomon et al., 1991).

Researchers have tested this theory hundreds of times using a method called Mortality
Salience. They subtly remind people of their death (maybe by having them walk past a cemetery
or answer a questionnaire about their funeral) and then watch how their behavior changes. The
results are consistent, meaning when people are reminded of death, they become much more
defensive. They become more patriotic, more religious, and more likely to dislike anyone who is
different from them (Greenberg et al., 1990). This explains why reminders of death often lead to
increased partiality, nationalism, and stiff moral judgment (Solomon et al., 2015).

Terror Management Theory explains a lot of human conflict. It shows that prejudice and
being very strict about right and wrong aren't just about being mean; they are often an attempt to
feel secure. When someone insults your country or your beliefs, this theory suggests you feel it
as a literal threat to your safety because that belief system is what keeps your death anxiety at
bay. This is why people can become so aggressive during political elections or religious debates
because their very sense of psychological survival feels like it’s on the line.
2. Irvin Yalom’s Existential Psychotherapy:

It is a way of looking at mental health through the lens of the big questions in life. While
many psychologists look at childhood trauma or brain chemistry, Yalom (1980) believes that our
deepest anxieties come from the simple fact that we exist and must face certain harsh truths
about life. He calls these truths the “four ultimate concerns”.

The Four Pillars of Existential Anxiety

According to Yalom (1980), there are four major things that every human struggles with,
whether they realize it or not:

1. Death: This is the most basic fear. We want to live forever, but we know we cannot.
Yalom (2008) explains that even if we aren't thinking about death every day, the fear of it
sits underneath our other worries like a silent hum.
2. Freedom: In this context, freedom is actually scary. It means there is no pre-written
script for your life. You are the writter of your own life, which means you are 100%
responsible for your choices. This can lead to a feeling of dread because there is no one
else to blame for how your life turns out.
3. Isolation: This isn't just about being lonely. It is the realization that no matter how much
we love someone, we can never truly be them or fully enter their mind. We are born
alone and we die alone.
4. Meaninglessness: Humans are "meaning-seeking" creatures. We want life to have a
point. However, because we are thrown into a world that doesn't come with an instruction
manual, we have to invent our own meaning, which can feel overwhelming or pointless.

Because these four truths are so heavy, Yalom (1980) suggests that we build defenses to hide
from them. For example, some people develop a delusion of invulnerability, believing that bad
things only happen to others but never to them. Others look for an ultimate rescuer, like a partner
or a powerful leader, to take away their feelings of isolation or responsibility. Yalom’s goal in
therapy is not to help people hide from these truths, but to face them directly. He argues that by
accepting death and isolation, we can actually live more realistically and appreciate the time we
have (Yalom, 2008).
3. Victor Frankl’s Logo therapy:

It is a form of psychology based on the idea that the most important thing for a human
being is finding a purpose or meaning in their life. While other psychologists like Freud argued
that humans are mostly driven by a search for pleasure, Viktor Frankl (1984) argued that we are
actually driven by a will to meaning. He developed this theory after surviving Nazi concentration
camps, where he observed that prisoners who could find a reason to live (like a loved one to
return to or a book to finish) were much more likely to survive than those who lost hope.

The Freedom of Wil:

One of the most powerful parts of Frankl’s theory is the idea of Freedom of Will. Frankl
(2006) explained that even when everything else is taken away from a person, they still have one
final freedom; the ability to choose how they respond to their situation. In simple words, we
cannot always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we feel about it. This
shift in mindset is what helps people survive deep heartbreak without being destroyed by it
(Frankl, 1988).

Finding Meaning in Every Situation:

According to Logo therapy, meaning isn't something we just make up to feel better; it is
something we discover in the world around us. Frankl (1984) suggested three ways we find this
meaning:

 By Creating or Doing: This could be your job, a hobby, or helping a neighbor.

 By Experiencing or Loving: This is about connecting with nature, art, or another person.
Frankl believed that love is the highest goal a human can reach.
 By Our Attitude Toward Suffering: If you are facing a situation you cannot change
(like a terminal illness), you find meaning by being a brave example of how to handle
that pain.
Why Logo therapy Works:

Logo therapy is often called "healing through meaning." Instead of spending years
looking back at your childhood, Frankl (1988) encouraged people to look forward to the future
and ask, "What is life asking of me right now?" He believed that many modern problems, like
depression, boredom, and addiction, happen because people feel an "existential vacuum", a fancy
way of saying they feel like their lives have no point.

Predictors:

Awareness of death is one of the strongest predictors of existential anxiety. When people
realize that life is limited and that everyone will die eventually, it often creates a deep sense of
fear. This is not just fear of dying, but a realisation on the meaning and value of life. People start
asking themselves questions like “Am I living my life the way I truly want?” or “Have I done
enough with the time I have?” (Becker, 1973).

Feeling a lack of meaning or purpose in life is another key factor. When someone
struggles to find direction, goals, or personal values, it can lead to emptiness and inner tension.
Existential anxiety tends to be higher in people who feel that their life lacks significance or that
their efforts don’t matter in the bigger picture (Steger et al., 2006).

Freedom and responsibility can also cause existential anxiety. While having freedom is
empowering, it comes with the pressure of responsibility. People may worry about making
wrong choices, failing to live up to their own standards, or not fulfilling their potential. This type
of anxiety is about the weight of knowing that one’s life path is in their own hands (May, 1950).

Feelings of isolation or loneliness play a big role too. Even if someone has friends or
family, existential anxiety can increase if they feel that no one truly understands them. This sense
of being emotionally or existentially alone can make people question their place in the world and
their relationships (Yalom, 1980).
 Major life events or crises such as the loss of a loved one, illness, trauma, or big life
transitions can trigger existential anxiety as well. These events often force people to confront
their beliefs, values, and priorities. Experiencing such changes can bring feelings of uncertainty,
vulnerability, and a strong need to reflect on the meaning of life ( Vos et al., 2015).

Variables linked with Existential Anxiety:

Existential anxiety is also closely linked with mental health. A study conducted with
university students in Saudi Arabia found that more than 70% of participants reported significant
levels of existential anxiety, which strongly related to depression, stress, and general anxiety (Al-
Harbi et al., 2024). This shows that existential concerns aren’t just philosophical but they can
also have very real psychological concerns.. Young adults, who are often figuring out their
identity may be especially under this type of anxiety. Addressing existential anxiety in mental
health interventions could therefore help improve not only these existential worries but also
related depressive and anxious symptoms.

Another important factor is how people treat themselves. Self-criticism tends to intensify
existential anxiety, while self-compassion can soften its impact. Research among Pakistani
young adults found that individuals who were harsh and judgmental toward themselves
experienced higher existential anxiety, whereas those who practiced self-kindness reported
slightly lower anxiety levels.

Research has found that when people feel overwhelmed by existential concerns, such as
fear of death, it can significantly reduce their sense of happiness. Yet, not everyone experiences
this in the same way. People with strong religious beliefs often cope better, because their faith
gives them a source of meaning and purpose to lean on during difficult times (Kazim, Latif, &
Malik, 2023). In other words, existential anxiety is universal, but the tools we use like our
beliefs, values, and personal resources can make a real difference in how it affects us.

Rationale for selecting Existential Anxiety:

Existential anxiety is something that touches everyone at some point in life, hits as that
deep, often unsettling feeling that arises when we reflect on the big questions: “Why am I here?”
or “What happens after death?” In today’s modern world, with so much uncertainty, social
pressures, and personal challenges, these worries can feel even more intense and have an impact
on your mental health. Understanding existential anxiety is important because it’s closely linked
to mental health issues like stress, depression, and overall life satisfaction. By studying it,
researchers and therapists can better understand how people cope with these fundamental
concerns and help them find meaning and navigate life with a greater sense of calm and purpose

Literature Review:

A study by Davidov and Russo-Netzer (2022) looked at how life-changing experiences

affect existential anxiety. They found that thinking about death, searching for meaning, feeling
free to make choices, and experiencing loneliness all shape how people see themselves and their
lives. Participants described existential anxiety not just as a fear, but as a kind of inner signal that
encourages reflection, growth, and thinking about what really matters in life (Davidov &
Russo-Netzer, 2022).

Similarly, de Vries, Janssen, and Kroon (2025) studied young adults with mental health
challenges and found that problems with identity and meaning-making made existential anxiety
more intense. People often felt anxious when facing major changes or reflecting deeply on life,
but this anxiety also gave them opportunities to learn about themselves and develop coping
strategies (de Vries et al., 2025).

Quantitative studies show patterns in how common existential anxiety is and what affects
it. For example, a study of Saudi university students found that more than 70% experienced
significant existential anxiety. The study also showed that existential anxiety was strongly linked
to depression, stress, and general anxiety (Al-Harbi et al., 2024). This shows that existential
anxiety has real effects on mental health, not just philosophical significance.

Another study by Farooq, Ahmed, and Hussain (2025) looked at how self-related traits
affect existential anxiety. People who were highly critical of themselves and felt socially isolated
experienced higher levels of existential anxiety. On the other hand, people who were kinder to
themselves had slightly lower anxiety, suggesting that how we treat ourselves can influence how
strongly we feel these deep worries.
 Overall, both qualitative and quantitative research shows that existential anxiety is a
common and complex part of human life. It arises from thinking about life’s biggest questions,
interacts with personal and social factors, and can be both challenging and helpful in guiding
personal growth. Understanding it better can help psychologists and therapists support people in
coping with these deep worries and improving their mental health.