Anxiety, Depression, Bi-polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, Dementia, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

All very different mental illnesses with one thing in common: they have defined observable criteria used to identify, assess, and treat the issue.

“Existential Frustration” & “noögenic neuroses” do not – although I would argue they are the most common ailments of our modern times.  Somehow, increases in prosperity, leisure, and technological connection have left people feeling empty and struggling for meaning.  It seems that without the tension of the daily struggle to survive, we invent other tensions that leave us existentially frustrated.

Man’s will to meaning can also be frustrated, in which case logotherapy speaks of “existential frustration.” The term “existential” may be used in three ways: to refer to (1) exitence itself, i.e., the specifically human mode of being; (2) the meaning of existence; and (3) the striving to find a concrete meaning in personal existence, that is to say, the will to meaning. Existential frustration can also result in neuroses. For this type of neuroses, logotherapy has coined the term “noögenic neuroses” in contrast to neuroses in the traditional sense of the word, i.e., psychogenic neuroses. Noögenic neuroses have their origin not in the psychological but rather in the “noölogical” (from the Greek noös meaning mind) dimension of human existence. This is another logotherapeutic term which denotes anything pertaining to the specifically human dimension. 

– Man’s Search for Meaning

Sunday evening “blahs” over the idea of returning to work Monday?  Not wanting to get out of bed when Monday rolls around?

Struggling to feel connected to other people, especially those who are closest to you?  Feel more comfortable scrolling a screen?

Feeling like you should be doing something more in life, but just not sure what it is?

Anxious about “the end”?  Pre-occupied with fears of death?  Wondering what your “legacy” will be when you are gone?

These are all components of what could be considered “existential frustration” or “noögenic neuroses”.

Fortunately, there is plenty that can be done about – with or without the help of a trained professional.  Self-transcendence – stepping outside yourself to help or truly love another.  Creative endeavors – making something important or meaningful like art or music.  Choosing a new attitude – willing yourself to see your work as important, or as a service to others, even if it is a service only to your boss.  Experiencing life, nature, or a creative work.

These are all ways you can break free of the existential vacuum of our modern times.  These are things you can do immediately today.  They work.  But if you find they don’t work for you, maybe it’s time to consider outside help.

Interested in learning more about existential frustration or noögenic neuroses?  Take a look at my course on Teachable.com: https://drdan.teachable.com/p/logotherapy-the-psychology-of-meaning