Existential Depression: When Life Loses Meaning

Existential depression is a not very well-known, but recurrent, psychological disorder. Some of its characteristics include feeling that one does not meet expectations, that life is meaningless, or that the world is unfair, full of injustice and infinite inequality.

This concept may seem strange to you, and perhaps even ruthless from a clinical point of view. It is true that it does not appear in the DSM-V (Diagnostic Manual for Mental Disorders) and that you probably do not know anyone who has been diagnosed with it either. 

However, we need to note that it is a common psychological disorder and that some people actually suffer from it.

The story behind existential depression

In 2012, Dr. Robert Seubert a research article in the  Journal of the European Psychiatric Association  to emphasize an important fact. Part of our society does not respond to normal treatments for depression, and this can be associated with personality types and even high intellectual abilities.

Some people have to navigate other psychic universes where they ask themselves deeper questions and feel some kind of unusual suffering. Feeling anxious about the future of the world or sad about not finding the real meaning of life can lead to a particular type of depression.

Existential Depression: Definition, Symptoms, and Causes

It is possible that this type of depression takes us back to authors such as Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. They talked about the principles of freedom and individual or personal responsibility, human loneliness and the very classic concept of existential anguish.

The last term refers to a fear of the future, the importance of our decisions and the fear of not becoming what one expects. What does all this have to do with existential depression in itself?

Pretty much actually. One of the people who has studied this psychological disorder the most has been Irvin David Yalom, a psychotherapist and professor of psychiatry at Stanford University. One of the most notable works is the book  Existential Psychotherapy.

In it, he talks about the primary traits that patients with this type of depression show. As you will see, it is quite reminiscent of the  ideas that the most representative persons within existentialism in philosophy conveyed in their time.

What are the symptoms of existential depression?

All types of depression are multidimensional and complex phenomena. Every person experiences depression in different ways and generally it is associated with other disorders such as anxiety. This type of reality has very special characteristics. These are the following:

• Lack of meaning. The person finds no meaning in their existence. It feels as if they are moving into a void where nothing is uplifting, authentic or enriching to the mind.
• To feel that others do not understand them. It is when they feel like strangers in the world, in addition to feeling lonely.
• Not to achieve personal success. Society is limited as there are no mechanisms to promote creative, professional, human and civil growth.
• Suffering due to social injustice. Because of injustice and lack of freedom.
• Frequent thoughts of death. Thoughts on human volatility.
• Thoughts of suicide  are also common in this type of psychological disorder.
• Physical manifestations. Such as fatigue, insomnia, hypersomnia and eating disorders.

A common type of depression in people with high intellectual abilities

Existential depression is integrated into a theory developed by the psychiatrist Kazimierz Dabrowski (1902-1980). This approach is called positive disintegration. It is based on the following explanation:

• People can go through five stages of personal development.
• However, about 70% of the population does not reach beyond the first three stages. It is a development that makes people get used to the guidelines set by society until they gradually find their place in it and adapt.
• In contrast, 30% reaches the peak of personal development. But instead of causing more certainty and well-being, it leads to existential crises. They do not feel part of what society expects of them. That’s it, Dr. Dabrowski called it “positive disintegration.” In other words, everyone who reaches that stage is forced to recreate themselves, disintegrate and rebuild themselves.

• However, it is common for them to doubt themselves, feel pain and not find meaning  in something that surrounds them for a while.
• This type of disorder is common in people with a high IQ, as these men and women more often suffer from existential depression.

Therapeutic strategies

Can Existential Depression Be Treated? Like any other type of mood disorder, this disorder can also be treated.

In general, it is important to individualize the therapeutic strategy and take each client’s needs into consideration. In addition to psychological therapy, some patients may actually benefit from pharmacological treatment (antidepressants). But how can a person with high intellectual abilities who suffers from depression be helped?

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is a very good strategy. It helps them direct these thoughts towards more positive approaches so that they can find a new meaning in life. It also helps them set goals they can achieve, which means they will be excited about the future again.
• Emotional management must be worked on in order to reduce the impact of the most negative and complicated emotions. The goal is to ensure that the client continues to develop without the burden of pain and negativity.
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This type of approach allows clients to understand that the world is not always what they want it to be. We must thus accept insecurity, contradiction and injustice without allowing suffering to invalidate us. Instead, we must commit ourselves to establishing a set of values ​​and goals.

We should deal with existential depression, even if it is not in the manuals

In short, although we do not find existential depression in diagnostic manuals, there are effective treatments and strategies to convey well-being in those who suffer from it. Although it can be difficult for a patient to go to a doctor because of it,  their feelings about the world around them will drive them to seek help.