Existential issues or “crises” can occur when a person starts to question their life’s meaning or purpose on a grander scale, and may often be in search of answers to life’s big questions- Who am I? What is the meaning of life? What is true happiness? How can I be happy when others are suffering? Unlike the common stereotype, existential crises can arise as early as adolescence or early adulthood, and not necessarily always in midlife. Questioning life’s meaning can come about from events, traumas or losses that elicit feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt or grief. Existential issues can also highlight areas of a person’s life where they feel unfulfilled or disconnected. Reflecting on these issues can help a person to accept certain circumstances, make significant life changes or find meaning and purpose again, perhaps in a different direction.
