Page 1 of 1 [ 6 posts ] 

lucgn01
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 4 Jun 2019
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Posts: 74
Location: Los Angeles, California

21 Jun 2019, 12:59 am

I'm currently in the middle of an intense existential crisis. I keep having intrusive thoughts that tell me that everything around me is an illusion and that I have no real control over my life. My belief structure keeps alternating as well. I can't decide if God exists, or if he doesn't. or if I'M God, or if there's something else going on. It's driving me insane and it's making me incapable of living in the present moment. The worst part is that I feel so alone due to this. I feel like either everyone else is unaware of the grand scheme of things or if I'm losing my mind and my ability to relate to others. Can anyone offer me advice on this?



magz
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 1 Jun 2017
Age: 41
Gender: Female
Posts: 16,283
Location: Poland

21 Jun 2019, 2:49 am

I think these are very important thougths that demand your time and effort to sort out.
Yes, most people don't have much of this when living in their here and now. It doesn't matter. You have.
What I can recommend? Read philosophy. The ancient philosophers are good to begin with, Plato of st Augustine. Face the big questions openly and seek solace in the noble company of great minds of the history.


_________________
Let's not confuse being normal with being mentally healthy.

<not moderating PPR stuff concerning East Europe>


Dyslexican
Emu Egg
Emu Egg

Joined: 21 Jun 2019
Age: 42
Gender: Male
Posts: 3
Location: Road island

21 Jun 2019, 6:46 am

Philosophy yeah, thats what I did, school of life channel on youtube has a lot them. I've basically come to conclusion that life's potentials are like pool of water. Boring flat if nothings going on. Making a decision is like adding a drop or a slash in water creating waves with highs and lows alternating giving you the good and bad of life but you can't have one or other wise nothing is happening. Thats why fears can not last forever and neither can heavens.



naturalplastic
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 26 Aug 2010
Age: 71
Gender: Male
Posts: 35,189
Location: temperate zone

22 Jun 2019, 9:37 am

I don't know exactly how "intrusive" your intrusive thoughts are. Cant tell whether this a philosophical condition or an actual mental health condition you have.

When I noticed your age... sigh of relief...it struck me as being rather normal. More normal than when I assumed that you were a middle aged grown up.

Sounds like a normal 17 year old. Everyone goes through a stage of wondering if you're the only thing in the universe that really exists (solipsism) when theyre 17! .

In a year or so the "here and now" will start on weigh on you. And you will settle into some kind of stable philosophical framework.



TwilightPrincess
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 28 Sep 2016
Age: 42
Gender: Female
Posts: 35,933

22 Jun 2019, 12:26 pm

It sounds like an existential crisis. I’d suggest seeing a counselor who could help you sort some of this stuff out. I can relate to everything that you’re saying and have had similar thoughts at various points of my life.

It’s really hard to figure out how to answer those big questions.

It’s definitely a problem, though, if it’s taking over your life. Are the intrusive thoughts ever voices that are separate from your own or do you ever see things that aren’t there? I thought I’d ask just in case.

What all are you officially diagnosed with?



lucgn01
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker

Joined: 4 Jun 2019
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Posts: 74
Location: Los Angeles, California

24 Jun 2019, 9:57 pm

Thank you all for your feedback! I don't think that I have some sort of psychological condition, unless autism counts. I've been looking into philosophy and religion for a while now. I've found some solace in spirituality but the feelings are far from gone. I have hope though, especially because I'm so young, and because I have a lot more life to live.