You might be feeling anxious even when everything seems fine on the outside. Sometimes, that anxiety stems from a deeper place relating to a sense of uncertainty about life, freedom, and mortality. As a counsellor in Brighton & Hove, I often work with people experiencing this kind of anxiety, known as existential anxiety.

What is Existential Anxiety?

Existential anxiety arises when we confront life’s biggest questions often about meaning, freedom, and especially death. It’s the discomfort or fear that comes with realising that life is finite and unpredictable. Philosopher and therapist Rollo May put it beautifully when he said:

“Anxiety is the natural result when freedom is shorn of its mystery.”

But what does that mean? And how can anxiety be connected to freedom?

The Connection Between Freedom, Mystery, and Anxiety

Freedom means having the power to make choices about your life. It sounds liberating but freedom also means responsibility. You have to choose, and sometimes, those choices feel overwhelming. There’s a mystery to life: uncertainty about what the future holds, about who you are becoming, and ultimately about death itself.

When that mystery feels lost and when life feels too certain or too pressured, or when death feels like a closed door rather than an open question then anxiety can take hold. This is what we call existential anxiety.

How Does Existential Anxiety Show Up?

Existential anxiety isn’t always loud or dramatic. It's often a low-level, persistent unease that you can’t quite explain. You might notice:

• A sense of restlessness or feeling “on edge” without a clear cause

• Difficulty making choices because of fear of consequences

• Feelings of emptiness or lack of meaning

• Fear or avoidance of thoughts about death or the future

• A feeling of isolation or disconnection from others

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone - many people experience these feelings, especially during life transitions or times of loss.

Why Counselling Helps with Existential Anxiety

In counselling, we create a safe, supportive space to explore these feelings. You don’t need to have all the answers about life or death; the goal is to learn how to live with uncertainty and find meaning in your experience.

Counselling can help you:

• Understand your anxiety and where it’s coming from

• Explore your values and what matters most to you

• Develop ways to cope with uncertainty and fear

• Reconnect with a sense of freedom and possibility, even in the face of life’s limits

Practical Tips for Managing Anxiety About Death and Uncertainty

While counselling offers long-term support, here are a few ways to ease existential anxiety in everyday life:

• Practice mindfulness: Focus on the present moment instead of worrying about the future.

• Connect with others: Sharing your fears and feelings can reduce isolation.

• Reflect on your values: What gives your life meaning? How can you live more in line with those values?

• Allow yourself to feel: It’s okay to sit with discomfort without rushing to fix it.

• Create rituals or practices: These can help you feel grounded and connected (like journaling, nature walks, meditation or exercise).

Finding Support in Brighton & Hove or Online

If existential anxiety feels overwhelming, you don’t have to face it alone. As a counsellor in Brighton & Hove, I offer compassionate, confidential support to help you explore these feelings at your own pace. I also provide online counselling if you prefer remote sessions.

Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, questions about life and death, or just feeling stuck, therapy can help you reconnect with your sense of freedom and meaning.