What is an Existential Crisis?

Facing challenges in life and raising questions about an individual’s purpose does not always result in improvements or positive changes. When an existential crisis occurs, individuals question their beliefs, goals and purpose in life.

If the crisis is not handled in an appropriate manner, then an individual becomes depressed. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, or ADAA (1), depression increases the risk of substance abuse by two to three times when compared to the general population.

Even if the cause of depression is an existential crisis, a loved one has a risk of substance abuse.

According to Psych Central (2), existential depression occurs when an individual questions his or her life, death and reason for living. By worrying about his or her purpose in life, the individual becomes sad or depressed.

Existentialism, according to Psych Central (2), is a philosophy that explains the search for meaning and purpose in life. It suggests that humans seek purpose and meaning in life that is outside their personal religious beliefs.

Anxieties About Life and Death

Unfortunately, questions about an individual’s purpose also leads to worries, concerns and a feeling of hopelessness.

An existential crisis occurs when an individual worries about his or her life, death and reason for living to the point of depression.

That feeling of hopelessness or the lack of purpose impacts an individual’s state of mind and ultimately causes a form of depression.

Young Adults and Existential Depression

An existential crisis does not only impact adults – it also impacts teenagers and young adults. The Davidson Institute for Talent Development (3) explains that gifted children and teenagers often experience existential depression because the world around them does not meet their expectations or ideals, which leads to disappointment or a sense of hopelessness.

Young individuals ask questions about the world around them, their purpose in the world and the way that their life impacts the world. Unfortunately, questioning personal ideals and purpose causes an existential crisis.

The University of Minnesota (4) says that existential depression is pervasive and often irrational. A specific situation, like the loss of a loved one, is not necessary for an existential crisis. Since it does not always have an obvious cause, the depression often persists.

Risk of Substance Abuse and Treating the Crisis

Depression increases the risk of substance abuse and addiction. According to ADAA (1), around 20 percent of Americans with depression or similar mood disorders abuse alcohol or other drugs.

When a loved one abuses drugs or alcohol after an existential crisis, seeking professional treatment is essential. Depression contributes to substance abuse because an individual is self-medicating.

Identifying and Treating the Causes

By identifying the underlying depression and treating the addiction at the same time, your young adult or loved one can recover from substance abuse and regain his or her positive perspective.

Feelings of hopelessness or a pervasive sense of disappointment in life and the world does not always result in positive changes. Worrying about an individual purpose sometimes results in depression and a consistent pessimism.

Fortunately, treatment options offer realistic solutions to help a loved one when he or she faces an existential crisis and abuses a substance. To learn more, give us a call at 877-466-0620.

References:

http://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/substance-abuse
http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-is-existential-depression/0001350
http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10269.aspx
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~parkx032/CY-DEP.html

Dear Destinations For Teens Partners,

Destinations For Teens staff are actively getting vaccinated through the county and the hope is to have the majority of our staff vaccinated by the end of January, 2021. Destinations For Teens is likewise committed to educating staff to the benefits of vaccinating and to providing access to the vaccine to all employees. By minimizing the risk of transmission, Destinations For Teens is working hard to protect its clients, families and employees from contracting the COVID-19 virus.

A dedicated COVID-19 task force, including our Medical Director, Clinical Director and our Director of Nursing, provides written materials and verbal education and training to all staff. In the words of Dr. Baback Gabbay, Destinations For Teens Chief Medical Director, the message could not be simpler: "We are committed to the health and well-being of our patients and families. Our staff is committed to the CDC recommend cleaning protocols and have been fortunate to receive the Moderna or Pzifer Covid vaccine this week. Vaccination is important in order to help keep all our employees and the families we serve safe".

In addition to distributing vaccinations, Destinations For Teens facilities has implemented the following procedures for all in-person programs:

• Established a revised screening process for admissions, including questions about recent fevers, travel and mandated negative COVID-19 test results. Anyone who poses a risk to our centers will not be admitted.

• Implement active screening of residents and staff for fever and respiratory symptoms.

• Remind residents to practice social distancing and perform frequent hand hygiene.

• Screen all staff at the beginning of their shift for fever and respiratory symptoms.

• Actively take the staff’s temperature and document absence of shortness of breath, new or change in cough, and sore throat. If they are ill, have them put on a facemask and self-isolate at home.

• Destinations For Teens has revised how they interact with vendors and receiving supplies and equipment, and other non-health care providers (e.g., food delivery, etc.), and take necessary actions to prevent any potential transmission. For example, supply vendors transport supplies to dedicated locations versus inside of facilities.

• In lieu of in-person visits, facilities are offering alternative means of communication for people who would otherwise visit, such as virtual communications (phone, video-communication, etc.)

• Creating/increasing communication to update families, such as advising to not visit.

• Assigning staff as primary contact to families for inbound calls and conduct regular outbound calls to keep families up to date.