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Understanding Existential Depression: You Too Have a Purpose and Matter
- Post Published: July 9, 2025
- Post Modified: August 20, 2026
Have you ever looked at your life and wondered, “What is the point of all this?” If you have felt empty, disconnected, or deeply tired of searching for meaning, you may be experiencing existential depression. These feelings can be confusing, especially when life seems fine on the outside.
The good news is that questioning your purpose does not mean something is wrong with you. Sometimes, these questions can become the beginning of a deeper journey toward understanding yourself, your values, and what truly matters to you.
What Is Existential Depression?
Existential depression is a strong feeling of sadness, feeling empty and alone while questioning about different phases of life. It may raise questions about the purpose of life, life after death and other things.Â
Common questions may include:
- What is my purpose in life?
• Does anything I do really matter?
• Why do people suffer?
• What happens after death?
• Why should I keep working toward my goals?
• Is there something deeper than what I can see?
These questions are part of being human. They can become difficult when you feel stuck without answers.
If you are dealing with existential depression and you seek professional medical advice, you will be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), since this is a serious depression. When you question the meaning of your life without answers, or you cannot deal with the unfairness surrounding you, you may be leading up to an existential crisis.
On top, I will be happy to help you add you to my healing list, and support you with some personalized free healing too, so feel free to reach out.
Existential Depression vs Clinical Depression: What Is the Difference?
Existential depression and clinical depression may look similar but they aren’t actually.Â
Existential struggles start with the questions of meaning, purpose, death, freedom, loneliness, or the purpose of life. Clinical depression have wide range of can involve a wider range of mental biological, psychological, or environmental causes behind.
The two can also happen together. Someone may struggle with questions about purpose while also experiencing clinical depression.
Existential Depression | Clinical Depression |
Often connected to questions about meaning | Can have many possible causes |
Focuses strongly on purpose and existence | Can affect mood, sleep, energy, and daily life |
May appear during major life changes | Can happen at different stages of life |
Can lead to deep self-reflection | May require professional mental health treatment |
Spiritual or philosophical questions may be present | Medical and psychological factors may play a role |
Let's dig deeper into the common causes
Existential Depression can arrive in many forms and degrees, and it can affect you in different ways, depending on the situation and a few more factors. I will share some soft advice here so you can have an idea and start understanding everything better. First, let's see the different forms or triggers:
Trauma and loss
This is one of the obvious and can happen when you lose someone or a situation that is very dear to you. For example, the loss of a loved one or missing the opportunity to score that dream job of yours. You may feel that "you have lost," causing you to lose your purpose in life because you don't see a way to remove it.
Please, be aware that you can always stand up and keep moving forward, there is always a new path for you, and think about it, it might even yield a better opportunity. You will heal past your wounds and find what you need, even if the loss is at its maximum, you will find happiness while you perhaps carry this wound.
Not belonging at a soul level
The reason I want to keep a spiritual view is that a big group of people affected are especially gifted people, and even experts have studied this. But, I don't leave it here since it also affects other types of people, such as starseeds and incarnated angels, as well as very old souls, regardless of their origins.
You may not resonate with humanity's negativity and the popular way of thinking and acting. You feel you think very differently and have a hard time understanding how most people can think and act the way they do. The situation is far worse if you find your home is in a different plane of existence or civilization, making you feel clearly that you don't belong, promoting existential depression.Â
Don't forget you chose to incarnate as a human (as hard as it can be to believe, haha). So, you will find a way to stay grounded and happy, don't worry! You came this far with a purpose, use it!
High Sensitivity and Empathy
Here, we have another reason that can lead to existential depression. While most humans individually are empathetic and will suffer if others suffer around them, many are as cold and selfish as possible, especially at a collective level. This is difficult for us empaths and global empaths since we are sensitive to energies, and if you are one, you are easily affected by them.
It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the hatred and divide and conquer in this civilization, trust me, I know it well. It makes you want to either reset yourself or reset humanity; however, both of these are not correct. You are here with a purpose, and you can use that purpose to improve this horrible energy, while you protect and recharge properly so you don't trigger an existential depression and existential crisis.
Religious Traumas or Faith Issues
Coping with existential depression is tough, especially if you have been scammed or lied to in a situation that you built your spirituality around. The classic one here exists as a cult. The cult was all in your life, and now you have no one, not even family. This alone can trigger an existential crisis and fear, severing the situation if you are alone.
Find a strong inner connection and self-love first, and build your faith around yourself and your capabilities. From here, make the best of finding new connections, because new people in your life will make you feel you belong, strongly aiding existential depression.
Gifted people are also prone to existential depression
Likely, gifted individuals (high IQ, spiritual gifts, or both) will feel uneasy and incomplete in this reality for numerous reasons. If this is your case, it means that you are probably questioning everything, and perhaps even find it insufficient for your fulfillment.
Please, be aware you are not alone, and not trapped, and only by finding mind-alike people, you will already bring massive improvement to your existential depression, even removing it by understanding how you can harness your potential to make the very society you dislike, better.
Common Symptoms of Existential Depression
The symptoms of existential depression can look different from person to person. Some people feel emotionally low, while others mainly notice a strong sense of emptiness or confusion about their future.
Emotional Signs
You may experience:
- A deep feeling of emptiness
• Sadness without an obvious reason
• Feeling disconnected from other people
• Loss of excitement about things you once enjoyed
• Feeling that everyday life has little meaning
• A strong desire to understand your purpose
You may still go to work, spend time with family, and complete your daily tasks while feeling emotionally disconnected inside.
Cognitive and Thought Patterns
Your thoughts may become focused on big questions.
You might spend hours thinking about death, the future, human suffering, free will, or whether your choices matter. You may also find it difficult to make decisions because every option seems meaningless.
Some people describe this as being existentially depressed rather than simply feeling sad.
Life is Meaningless: This is one powerful statement that you may be dealing with.
- On one hand, and the more dangerous one, is for you to feel there is no purpose for humanity at all, questioning even to continue being alive (Please, contact Crisis Text Line if you need support.) Here, you can seek help in seeing that life is worth it indeed and that humanity has a purpose, too.
- On the other hand, you may feel you have no purpose in life. Let me tell you, every single soul has a purpose in life, you too, and you agreed to those before you were born. If you don't know why you are here, you can find out in an Akashic Records Reading, for example, and I will be happy to do this one for you. Please reach out.
Feeling disconnected and not belonging: This is another problem with existential depression, and this one connects even more with existential crisis.
- To give you a mundane example: someone is born in a village, but as an adult lives in the city for work, but yearns to go back to their village, to the point of depression.
- A nonmundane one is the classic starseed soul or incarnate angel who feels homesick. I know this one well, and I had to deal with it, but the solution is working hard on your Root Chakra, and then finding what can help you connect, and do it. Spiritual maturity is important here, and it will help you feel better.
Hopelessness and fear of death:This one could lead more towards Major Depressive Disorder, and here you must talk to a mental health expert who can assist you safely. While you do, I want to invite you to read this article about death, for you to lose fear of it, and not focus on it. Keep in mind that all problems have a solution, so don't hesitate to seek help to reach that point.
If negative thoughts become a regular part of your day, it may also help to explore your thinking patterns. You can read more about Negative Thinking Patterns and how they can influence your emotional state.
Behavioral Signs
Your behavior can change too.
You may stop doing activities that once gave you joy. You start isolating yourself from people, and prefer to spend time alone. Some people prefer to seek help from books, philosophy, spirituality, or other activities.
These changes are good particularly when they start affecting your every day routine.Â
Why Do We Experience Existential Depression? A Spiritual Perspective
From a spiritual point of view, existential depression can sometimes appear during a period of inner change.Â
You may begin questioning beliefs that once felt certain. Your career may no longer feel meaningful. Old relationships may feel different. You may start asking deeper questions about your soul, purpose, and direction.
How to Cope With Existential Depression: A Path Forward
When trying to find how to cope with existential depression, your aim should not be to find something perfect. Just start by changing your way of living:
Create Your Own Meaning Through Values and Relationships
Meaning does not always come from one huge life purpose. It can come from small things. Your relationships, creativity, kindness, learning, work, family, faith, or service can all give your life meaning.
Ask yourself:
“What do I care about even when nobody is watching?”
Your answer can help you understand what matters to you.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
Meditation can help when your mind keeps moving between the past and the future.
A few quiet minutes each day can give you space to notice your thoughts without immediately reacting to them. It can also help you reconnect with the present moment.
If you want extra support with this practice, take a look at these guided meditations for grounding. They can be a simple way to bring more calm and awareness into your day.
Connect With Your Spirit Guides and Higher Purpose
For people who follow a spiritual path, connecting with Spirit Guides can become a source of comfort and reflection. You can sit quietly, meditate, pray, or write down the questions that are on your mind. Instead of looking for an instant answer, give yourself time to notice what comes up naturally.
The goal is not to escape your life. It is to understand it more clearly.
Practice Introspection and Self Reflection
There are times when you get all answers just by slowing down. Just try to write what you want to change, what makes you happy what makes you sad and what keeps you alive and active.Â
If you want to know more give introspection and self reflection a read. It can help you look inward without judging yourself.
Take Small Steps Instead of Solving Everything
You do not need to figure out your entire life today. Choose one simple action. Call someone you trust. Take a walk. Meditate for ten minutes. Work on something creative. Spend time outside. Do something that connects you with your values.
Small actions can slowly bring a sense of direction back into your life.
Reach Out When You Need Support
You do not have to deal with existential depression alone. You can truly turn the situation around by communicating with therapists. A therapist can help when sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest becomes difficult to manage.
Finding a good group where you can belong will be the best outcome for existential depression, because as soon as you feel part of something (a foundational human need), you will be able to feel happier and start to enjoy your life.
If you are in the United States and you are thinking about suicide or feel that you may hurt yourself, call or text 988 for immediate support. If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency service.
You Matter Even When Life Feels Meaningless
Existential depression can make life feel empty, but the feeling of meaninglessness does not mean your life has no meaning.
Your purpose does not have to be a huge mission. It may begin with caring for yourself, loving someone, creating something, helping others, learning, healing, or simply becoming more aware of who you are.
If you want to work on your inner journey, explore these self healing practices and give yourself permission to move at your own pace.
If you feel ready for deeper spiritual guidance, you can also explore Transformative Coaching and find support that fits your personal journey.
You can also join the Free Healing List to receive spiritual guidance, healing practices, and helpful insights.
Wrap Up
You do not need to have every answer to live a meaningful life. Start with what matters to you today, stay connected to people who support you, and give yourself space to grow. If existential depression feels too heavy to handle alone, reaching out for professional support is a strong and caring step, not a failure.
FAQ
Q: What is existential depression?
A: Existential Depression doesn't allow you to feel like you belong, and that your life can be meaningful. If you suffer from an existential crisis, you need to give yourself a push to find some mind-altering people, as well as start to align yourself with your purpose. I can help you; feel free to reach out.
Q: What triggers an existential crisis?
A: Various factors can trigger an existential crisis, such as losing someone you love, losing a situation you were passionate about, or having realizations about the negative aspects of this civilization, and giving up attempting to bring a change. Depending on your soul's origin, you might have a degree of existential crisis, sometimes reinforced when you find out.
Q: Why do gifted individuals experience existential depression more often?
A: Gifted individuals (mentally, spiritually, or both) have a greater capacity to perceive the worst things in this society without finding potential solutions. If you are a gifted person, you also feel that it is hard to find other gifted people, and this can make you feel more alone.
Q: Can existential depression be treated?
A: Yes, you can work on existential depression, such as making new connections, finding your purpose, engaging in a new hobby, and applying some new ideas to your day-to-day. You can also seek some support if you think you need it; it will greatly pay off.
How can mindfulness help with existential anxiety?
A: If you are mindful, you will align yourself with positive and centered thoughts. You will stop dwelling on negative thoughts and fearful situations. So, because of this, you will be more focused on the positive aspects of life, and taking action for the ones that are not so positive.
Q: What are the signs of existential depression?
A: Feelings of giving up in life, talking and fearing so much about death, as well as feeling that you don't belong anywhere. You might feel excluded from life and without a purpose, feeling apathetic and almost wanting to give up.
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