The Existential Mind
When existential thoughts are directed towards the self in a punitive-way they have nothing encouraging to say and there is a sense of overwhelm. When your mind wanders to an existential headspace (what is the meaning of life, where do I fit in) it is difficult to focus on the present moment and challenge unhelpful thinking. Existential thoughts directed on a macro level evaluate the way human beings act towards one another, nature, and/or the cruelty of animals. This may be particularly detrimental to a person’s mental health when they believe that they have used up their responses in their coping repertoire and develop maladaptive thinking about their plight. This may be further perpetuated by avoidance behaviours such as disengaging and isolating one-self and/or self-medicating. The values people hold (authenticity, integrity, fairness, kindness) tend to match peoples triggers of anger. One of the strongest factors in fuelling anger and keeping it going is when attitudes and expectations clash with the real world (I need the world to be fair and just).
Existential thinkers acknowledge suffering in the world and imagine a better way. Existential thinkers tend to value the quality of relationship, rather than status and competition. The character strength of transcending provides existential thinkers with meaning, connection and creativity. The social advocates of this world play an important role in the future of our society.
Resources
In clinical practice I have often treated symptoms of clinical depression by helping the client to problem solve how they can find meaning, connection and creativity in their individual lives. Clients often report that their day to day functioning (concentration, mood, appetite, sleep etc.) returns to their authentic way of being once this resolution is achieved. Existential thinkers report a distinct difference in which the mind continues to obsessively return to an existential headspace to question the overall meaning of life (beyond the individual self) and they report not being able to find peace without answering this question. Please find below a collection of outstanding professionals who have experienced this journey and have found inner peace and fulfillment in their lives and made major contributions in the areas of business, education, healthcare, and environmental protection.
Exposure Response Prevention - Treating existential OCD
Please note, if you are experiencing significant emotional difficulties, you should contact your GP to obtain a referral to see a qualified professional. A Functional Legacy Mindset should not be used to replace a face to face clinical interview to assess diagnosis of mental health concerns and material on this website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing significant emotional difficulties, you should contact your GP to obtain a referral to see a qualified professional.
