As an existential therapist, I often see the concept of "mental illness" being used as a way to categorize human suffering in a way that may oversimplify and limit our understanding of it. While medical models of mental health can be helpful in many cases, they sometimes risk reducing complex emotional and existential experiences to mere symptoms of pathology. From an existential perspective, I believe much of what we label as "mental illness" could be viewed differently—through the lens of the human condition, freedom, and the search for meaning.
Anxiety and the Human Condition
In existential therapy, we see anxiety not as a disorder to be eradicated but as a natural response to the fundamental realities of existence. Every human being must confront certain truths that are both inescapable and deeply unsettling: freedom, responsibility, isolation, meaninglessness, and mortality. These core existential concerns shape much of our inner world and generate a deep, underlying anxiety. This existential anxiety emerges from the awareness of our freedom to make choices, our isolation in that freedom, and the uncertainty of life itself.
This doesn’t mean anxiety should be dismissed or ignored—it can be painful and disruptive—but it’s important to understand it as a consequence of being alive, not merely as a symptom of illness. Jean-Paul Sartre, a key figure in existential thought, famously said, “We are condemned to be free.” In this freedom, we are responsible for our lives, our choices, and the meaning we make of our existence. Many people I work with feel lost or overwhelmed by this responsibility, which manifests as what the medical model might diagnose as anxiety or depression. But is it always helpful to call this an illness?
The Illusion of Normalcy
A central question in existential therapy is: Who defines what is “normal”? Too often, I see people being labeled as “mentally ill” simply because they don’t conform to societal norms or expectations. The pressures of modern life—constant productivity, social roles, and the expectation of happiness—can leave individuals feeling out of place or inadequate. This, in turn, can be misinterpreted as a personal flaw or sickness.
However, from an existential perspective, these feelings of discontent, despair, or isolation are not necessarily signs of illness. They can be understood as authentic responses to the human experience. Modern society tends to pathologize experiences like grief, loneliness, or a sense of purposelessness, when in fact these are often natural reactions to life’s difficulties. They are expressions of deeper existential concerns about meaning, identity, and mortality.
I have seen many clients come to therapy convinced they are broken, only to discover that their distress stems not from some underlying illness but from an inner struggle to live authentically. Instead of focusing on what's “wrong,” we focus on helping them explore their own values, choices, and experiences in a way that aligns more closely with their true self.
Authenticity: The Heart of Healing
In existential therapy, authenticity is a cornerstone of healing. Living authentically means living in accordance with our deepest values and truths, rather than conforming to societal expectations or external pressures. I often see clients who feel disconnected from themselves because they have been living according to someone else’s script. They have been told what they should want, how they should act, and who they should be—and when they cannot fit into these roles, they are made to feel as if something is wrong with them.
What we often call "mental illness" might simply be the result of this disconnection. Living inauthentically can lead to feelings of alienation, meaninglessness, or existential despair. Rather than diagnosing these feelings as illness, I work with clients to help them confront these feelings and find ways to live more in line with their authentic selves. This process often involves embracing discomfort and uncertainty, but it is through this confrontation that we find personal growth and meaning.
Embracing Suffering as Part of Life
Existential therapy does not seek to eliminate suffering—because suffering is an inevitable part of life. Instead, we help clients face their suffering with courage, curiosity, and an openness to the lessons it might offer. Human beings are meaning-making creatures, and much of our distress arises when we are unable to find meaning in our struggles. Viktor Frankl, a prominent existential thinker, believed that human beings have an inherent need to find purpose, even in the face of suffering. He argued that many people suffer from an "existential vacuum"—a feeling of emptiness and meaninglessness that cannot be cured by medication or external fixes.
In my work, I encourage clients to explore the deeper questions of their lives: What gives you meaning? How can you create a life that reflects your true self? How can you accept the uncertainties and inevitabilities of life—such as death, loss, and isolation—and still live fully? These questions guide us toward a more nuanced and compassionate understanding of human suffering.
Reframing Mental Health
I do not reject the existence of mental health challenges or the usefulness of treatment for those who need it. But as an existential therapist, I advocate for a broader and more compassionate approach to mental health. Not all distress should be viewed as illness. Many people come to therapy not because they are “sick,” but because they are struggling with the complexities of life—freedom, choice, responsibility, and the search for meaning.
By reframing mental health from an existential perspective, we honor the full scope of human experience. Instead of reducing distress to mere symptoms, we recognize it as part of the broader challenge of being human. We help clients to face their anxieties, confront the realities of existence, and embrace their freedom to create a life of meaning and authenticity.
In existential therapy, we do not seek to cure human suffering but rather to guide individuals through it, helping them to transform their pain into a deeper understanding of themselves and their place in the world.
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