The person — very difficult being and him is often tormented by fears, doubts and contradictions, one of manifestations of which is existential crisis. As a rule, it arises after the strongest emotional shock which is followed by loss of habitual meanings and the purposes. This state can become extremely painful and prevent to lead usual normal life. Let's learn about this problem and ways of its decision in more detail.
What we deal with
Existential crisis is a condition of the person at which he constantly feels alarm and deep psychological discomfort in determination of point of the existence. It seems to the person that life passes by it, and he does not know, than to fill it, and it pulls the rug.
Important! This problem received the greatest distribution in societies and cults where the basic basic needs of the personality are satisfied — in food, water, housing and safety.
Existential problems
Not existential outlook speaks about predetermination of fate of each personality by certain supernatural forces, and the mistrust to it gives rise to existential crisis, i.e. the person realizes uncertainty of the existence and inevitability of the coming final.
Also a peculiar existential paradox results - it is when, on the one hand, the person believes in importance of life of the individual, and with another — does not see deep meaning and purpose in human existence in general that does further existence extremely difficult and tangled. During this period he begins to ask life questions after death, existence of God and predetermination of destiny, emergence of this world and its sense.
Emergence reasons
Most often existential crisis appears in human life at some turning point, after the considerable event or serious changes. This that event which destroys a habitual course of life, setting thinking on the inevitable final of any existence. The death of the loved one, own serious disease, achievement of certain age, long imprisonment, parting with the spouse or leaving the house of the grown-up children can be such events.
Whether you know? The Norwegian philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe considered existential crisis destiny of people with high intelligence.
As it is shown:
The existential state is a feeling of senselessness of existence, loneliness, isolation, a disorientation, fear, alarm, fault, apathy and also loss of motivation and decrease in interaction with society. The person in this state often feels vital emptiness, refuses implementation of old plans and can behave unusually.
Fear
The fear, and even rather existential horror, is one of the brightest manifestations of this crisis. The whole world with all its difficulties and uncertainty falls upon the person suddenly as though. The personality feels lost, being at the crossroads and not knowing where to move further. All this leads to strong feeling of fear. And the fear of death and uncertainty forces to look at all the life in a different way.
Wine
Also crisis is characterized by manifestation of existential alarm and sense of guilt. It seems to the person that he did not realize fully the potential and abilities, lives life not, and tests fault for it before by itself. Besides, at revision of the place in society there is sense of guilt before the family for impossibility to meet their expectations. Sense of guilt increases in process of attempts of the person to carry out all necessary social instructions, losing at the same time itself original.
The existential fault forces it to block all further decisions as he considers, as so offered much in the life.
Important! During existential crisis it is important not to be obsessed with the experiences, to find the attentive and sympathizing listener and to speak all the fears and fears.
Loneliness
During crisis of people feels strong existential loneliness. It seems to it that it is separated from the rest of the world that only it one is deprived of the purposes and meanings, and nobody can understand his experiences. During this difficult period the communication with the sensitive and interested person is especially important. Having an opportunity to be uttered and getting at the same time support and understanding, the person becomes on the way of permission of the internal conflict.
Possible consequences
In human life not solved crisis is a destructive element which considerably reduces its vital forces, has negative effect on abilities, the relations with other people and even on the state of health. Unfortunately, many people try to find a way out in alcohol and gamblings. Without having overcome up to the end available existential problems, the person can get stuck in one of two states:
- to adapt to surrounding reality, having tired out all the fears, questions and doubts are deeper;
- to perceive the world around as hostile, wrong and not having special value.
Both of these states are destructive for the personality, without allowing it to develop further, to make further plans and to really perceive reality.
Ways of recovery from the crisis:
To recover from existential crisis, there are several ways. For a start it is necessary to recognize existence of a problem, not to suppress it, not to leave the decision for later, and to pronounce and it is the is best of all — with the expert.
Way of the last of the Messiah
One of popular ways of an exit of existential crisis is the way described in 1933 by the Norwegian philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe in the essay The Last Messiah. He offered the following main steps:
- isolation — it is necessary to try not to think, to be discharged as much as possible of any disturbing thoughts;
- fixing — definition of new anchors, core values and ideals for which it is possible to be hooked;
- derivation — by emotional hobby it is necessary to concentrate only on important tasks, without allowing a brain to be engaged in heart-searching;
- sublimation — redirection of energy from negative thoughts on positive and socially useful creation.
Whether you know? The famous German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer wrote: A minute of death the egoism undergoes the full crash, from here and fear of death.
Other ways
Besides, there are some more ways of an exit from existential crisis:
- classical psychoanalysis — during the session with the psychoanalyst it is possible to receive the qualified help in the solution of the arisen crisis, to see a problem on the other hand, to find new meanings and the purposes;
- behaviouristic therapy — point of therapy consists in breaking from undesirable thoughts and habits and training good and positive;
- spiritual and religious practicians — the address to God, studying the sacred writing, a view of the world from higher point will help to bring belief, tranquility and harmony in life;
- gestalt therapy — active work between the analyst and the patient helps the last to update consciousness and to develop as the personality;
- creativity — is quite frequent immersion in creation something new can help to put in order of a thought and to introduce new bright paints in life.
All human life is series of various tasks and attempts of their decision. Only having overcome the arisen internal contradictions, but not exhausting them deeply inside, you will be able successfully and productively to move further. Experience of the solved existential crisis will allow you to become wiser, more tolerant and, eventually, more happily.