Understanding existential depression: a longing of the soul
(Global Heart) If you often find yourself staring at the horizon, wondering what the “point” of it all is, you are not alone. For those who are highly sensitive or deep thinkers, life often brings a specific kind of internal heaviness known as existential depression.
The different faces of depression
While many people talk about depression as if it were a single condition, it actually manifests in several different ways. Understanding which type you are experiencing can be the first step toward finding the right kind of support. Here are the most common categories:
- Situational depression: This is usually triggered by a specific external event, such as the loss of a loved one, a difficult breakup, or losing a job.
- Hormonal depression: This type is caused by internal chemical shifts in the body, often related to puberty, pregnancy, or thyroid issues.
- Biological depression: This form is often linked to genetics and the way our brain chemistry is naturally wired.
- Seasonal depression: Also known as seasonal affective disorder, this is influenced by the changing of the seasons and a lack of sunlight.
- Intrapersonal depression: This stems from deeply held toxic beliefs or a low sense of self-worth that shapes how we perceive ourselves.
- Existential depression: Unlike the others, this is often described as a crisis of the soul. It arises from a profound lack of meaning and a feeling of disconnection from one’s deeper self.
What exactly is existential depression?
While traditional depression is often linked to external life events, biology, or hormones, existential depression is different. It is less about what is happening to you and more about the questions living inside you.
Think of it as a “spiritual emergency.” It usually affects those who have a profound desire to understand the meaning of life. Clinically, it is often seen as a grey area because it doesn’t always have a clear “trigger” like a job loss or a breakup. Instead, it stems from a feeling of emptiness, as if there is a gap between your soul and the modern world.
15 Signs you might be experiencing it
How do you know if your sadness is existential? Here are some common signs:
- You are constantly thinking about the nature of life and death.
- You feel an intense urge to find your “true purpose.”
- You feel a deep dissatisfaction with how society is currently structured.
- There is a persistent sense of loneliness, even when you are with others.
- You feel like you are on a “different level” or wavelength than people around you.
- Social interactions often feel shallow or exhausting.
- You experience a sense of numbness or being “dead” inside.
- There is a lack of motivation for things that used to excite you.
- You struggle with chronic fatigue or low energy.
- You often feel that most daily activities are futile or meaningless.
- You experience intense anxiety about the future of the world.
- You feel disconnected from any sense of “divine” or higher connection.
- You have a melancholic mood that doesn’t seem to go away with “fun” distractions.
- You feel like an outsider looking in on the human race.
- In severe cases, you might feel that life isn’t worth the effort of living.
Why standard treatments sometimes fall short
If you have tried traditional therapy and felt it didn’t quite “touch” the root of your problem, there is a reason for that. While traditional approaches like medication or talk therapy are invaluable for many forms of depression, they may not always address the specific depth of an existential crisis. In these cases, the heaviness isn’t necessarily rooted in biology, but rather in a profound search for meaning—what many describe as a crisis of the soul.
In many spiritual traditions, this is called the “dark night of the soul.” It is a period where your old way of living no longer fits, and you are being pushed to find a deeper, more authentic version of yourself.
The root: soul loss
When we live in a way that isn’t aligned with our core values—perhaps due to childhood trauma, a soulless job, or societal pressure—we experience what shamans call “soul loss.” We lose touch with our inner fire. Existential depression is essentially the soul’s way of screaming for attention. It’s not a sign that you are broken; it’s a sign that you are waking up.
Ways to find your way back to the light
Healing from this kind of depression takes patience and a different toolkit than usual:
- Re-frame the pain: Instead of seeing this as a mental illness, try to see it as a sacred journey toward wholeness.
- Acknowledge the limits of the mind: You cannot “think” your way out of an existential crisis. Sometimes, you have to stop asking “why” and start simply “being.”
- Find your “soul fire”: Think back to what you loved as a child. What activities make time disappear? Engaging in these helps bridge the gap to your soul.
- Connect with nature: Practices like “forest bathing” or simply sitting under a tree can ground your energy when the world feels too heavy.
- Seek “spiritual” support: Look for therapists who understand existential issues or “spiritual emergence.” You need someone who can speak the language of the soul, not just the language of biology.
- Practice self-compassion: Be gentle with yourself. You are navigating the deepest waters of the human experience.
A final thought
If you are in the middle of this dark woods right now, please know that it does fade. This heaviness is often the cocoon before the butterfly. You are a “gifted” soul—a philosopher, artist, or healer in the making—and the world needs your depth, even if it feels like a burden right now.
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Recommended reading
If you feel a resonance with the themes in this article, these books offer deeper insights and practical guidance on navigating existential questions and the path to wholeness:
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
A timeless masterpiece by psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. Based on his experiences in concentration camps, he explores how finding meaning—even in the darkest circumstances—is the key to human resilience. A must-read for anyone asking “why?”
Searching for Meaning – James T. Webb
Specifically written for deep thinkers and highly sensitive individuals, this book addresses why perceptive people are more prone to existential depression and provides a roadmap for turning disillusionment into hope.
Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self – Sandra Ingerman
For those interested in the concept of “soul loss,” Ingerman provides a profound look at how we can reintegrate lost parts of our psyche and return to a state of inner balance and vitality.
Source: Global Heart
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