Philosophy or mental health

I posted a thread very similar to this on mental health section but i think posting it on here may bring different responses

-Recently I have had a full on Existential crisis which I believe has caused anxiety and possible depression. I've gone from a happy person to a extremely negative person.

I am questioning everything; from my religion to why I watch football. From my morals to my career choice.

I realise this is hardly unique. It is seeming of common thing for people in my solution (young adults recently out of uni).

My question to people out there is -
Is questioning everything about life a good thing or a bad thing? It is character building or is it a track to a life of poor mental health

I have my own thoughts but interested to see what you all think? Especially from those who spend ages debating things such as the meaning of life

Reply 1

Asolare

20

I think it can be good to question certain aspects of life, obviously. Otherwise Philosophy would never have flourished like it did :smile:

However if you are sinking into full-on existential crises and finding it difficult to give life a meaning, then you need to step back and stop overthinking. There's a post on reddit that helped me when I was panicking about the meaningless of existence:

...which I now can't find.

This one sums it up just as well:

Firstly, accept the meaningless of life, we as a species have existed for a fraction of the duration of the universe, you are meaningless and what you do is meaningless in the scheme of things. This is completely fine and theres nothing wrong with it.
Second, understand it isn't about reaching any certain state, life is a game, you'll have your **** days, you'll have your good days. Play the game, and as you are programmed to, maximize your state of peace and survival as you play it.
Given any moment in your life, do what you feel like doing knowing full well the consequences of your actions.Society tries to control you, expect you to behave in a certain way. **** em, live off the cuff, work on you and maximizing your state of peace (I say peace cause chasing pleasure or happiness isn't the answer, if you try to maximize your happiness, you'll be maximizing the relative sadness that comes with it, rather peace is finding the perfect balance between everything). Chasing an end goal works for society, conforming to an ideal outcome of 'you' that the world projects works for social cohesion cause everyone ultimately wants and tries to chase the same thing and operate the same way.
So? Know you have nothing to lose, cause you weren't given anything to begin with, you were born and one day you'll die (the only outcome in your life that will occur with absolute 100% certainty), so enjoy the ride, take some risks, make some mistakes and be at peace with everything. There is no better you, no worse you, nothing you are supposed to accomplish, there is just you.

Reply 2

djj

OP

3

thanks for your thoughts;

Not sure that quote really resonates with me but thanks anyhow

Reply 3

tom.harker

Michael Foucault had an interesting idea that the mentally ill at one point were seen as having some sort of wisdom that others don't, and since they have been "criminalised" in a sense where they are sent to special units to heal them our attitudes towards feelings like minor/mild depression or anxiety have become much more taboo.

I would argue that this "existential crise" is a good thing and allows you to assess your life and choices, seeing past social barriers and discovering yourself. But if you become too deep into it, it could be harmful in the sense you're then estranged from reality. So let yourself think for a while but make sure you stay social, like with watching football unless you decide watching it is a negative aspect of your life then keep socialising by going to watch the matches with your friends.

Reply 4

Nmys

17

Original post by djj

I posted a thread very similar to this on mental health section but i think posting it on here may bring different responses

-Recently I have had a full on Existential crisis which I believe has caused anxiety and possible depression. I've gone from a happy person to a extremely negative person.

I am questioning everything; from my religion to why I watch football. From my morals to my career choice.

I realise this is hardly unique. It is seeming of common thing for people in my solution (young adults recently out of uni).

My question to people out there is -
Is questioning everything about life a good thing or a bad thing? It is character building or is it a track to a life of poor mental health

I have my own thoughts but interested to see what you all think? Especially from those who spend ages debating things such as the meaning of life

It's what you make it to be. If you see it as negative then you're going to struggle and feel lost and probably become depressed.

If you decide to ponder it more and come to the conclusion that you want something else, something different and new out of life and decide to go for it, it could just be the best thing you ever do.

I've thought these things over, and for me they've had a positive impact - there's no point in anything, just a happy coincidence one is alive so one must do what one thinks is worthwhile and will make oneself happy.

An alternative view could be that - there is no point in anything, why must I do this/waste time on this/my life has no direction... Depends solely on the individual.

Reply 5

username1148663

21

Original post by djj

I posted a thread very similar to this on mental health section but i think posting it on here may bring different responses

-Recently I have had a full on Existential crisis which I believe has caused anxiety and possible depression. I've gone from a happy person to a extremely negative person.

I am questioning everything; from my religion to why I watch football. From my morals to my career choice.

I realise this is hardly unique. It is seeming of common thing for people in my solution (young adults recently out of uni).

My question to people out there is -
Is questioning everything about life a good thing or a bad thing? It is character building or is it a track to a life of poor mental health

I have my own thoughts but interested to see what you all think? Especially from those who spend ages debating things such as the meaning of life