The Existential Crisis

For some reason, the term “existential crisis” has become commonplace among college students who jokingly question the meaning and purpose of life. Although it seems silly and, at times, overdramatic to claim to be experiencing an existential crisis, in reality it has become a concern everyone should be aware of in order to address such a predicament seriously. 

As college students we are experiencing and learning new things that undoubtedly and inevitably challenge our stance on serious questions. For example: What is the meaning of life? Who am I? What is my true nature? Do I have a greater purpose? Is there an afterlife? Is this all there is? 

Despite the initial absurdity of these questions, we cannot help but be curious as to what the answers could be. After all, human nature inclines us to seek the truth. Young adults, especially college students, are more susceptible to be confronted by difficult and ambiguous questions about our existence and the essence of life, according to Bruce A. Kehr, M.D. with Potomac Psychiatry. 

As we grow older, we experience greater hardships and become more aware of how little we really know and how little we are capable of knowing. How we cope with an existential crisis can affect our mental health, so it is important to understand the gravity of existential thoughts and disregard any sense of frivolity impending us from truly examining our concerns. 

In 1966, Dr. Kazimierz Dabrowski developed the theory of positive disintegration. His theory stated that gifted and intellectual people are more prone to experience positive disintegration, which means intelligent people will use their psychological anxieties for “positive” personal growth. 

This theory of positive disintegration presents two extremes in dealing with psychological tension: the person will use mental stress to their advantage and develop their personality, or the person will fail to do so and possibly fall into a state of existential depression. 

Dr. Irvin D. Yalom, an expert on existential psychotherapy, pinpoints four “ultimate concerns” of existential depression: death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. 

Death is an impending and inescapable incidence; there will always be tension between the awareness of death and the desire to live. 

Freedom at first seems to denote positivity, but it is also terrifying in the sense that the individual is responsible for his own world, choices, actions and perceptions of reality. Once again, there is a tension between our realization of nothingness and our need for structure. 

Isolation presents to us that despite our attempts at community and connectedness we will depart from existence alone. 

Meaninglessness stems from the former three ultimate concerns: If we are destined to die, are forced to create our own reality, and are basically alone-- what is the point of life? How do we live a life of meaning in a meaningless world?

Clearly, these questions can lead to dark and disheartening thoughts that can negatively affect our mental health. This concern is raised for college students who are in an intellectual environment, cultivating their opinions and beliefs and constantly being challenged by their peers and professors. 

Attending a Catholic liberal arts university that emphasizes philosophy and theology, and the dialogue between faith and reason, can challenge us to gain a deeper understanding of the question of our existence and lead us to the truth that we desperately seek. It is important to be aware that at some point in life, you are going to ask yourself these questions. It is even more important to understand that expecting satisfying answers is unrealistic and dangerous. 

We can always seek the truth, but acquiring the truth is another question altogether.