Treating Existential Anxiety: The Role of Faith in Alleviating the Fear of “Missing Out” on Life

Abstract

This article, using an analytical-review method, examines the role of faith (in both religious and non-religious forms) as a psycho-spiritual mechanism in reducing existential anxiety. Existential anxiety, defined by the fear of meaninglessness, absolute responsibility, and the feeling of “missing out” on the flow of life, has intensified in the present age. Findings indicate that faith, through five main mechanisms—meaning-making, acceptance of limitations, fostering social belonging, moderating the fear of death, and increasing resilience—can help modulate this anxiety. The article also addresses the limitations and potential risks of a faith-based approach and philosophical-psychological alternatives.

Introduction

The feeling of “missing out”—this fear that others are progressing and we are falling behind in the caravan of life—is one manifestation of existential anxiety in the modern world. This anxiety is rooted in facing boundless freedom, endless choices, and a lack of meaning (Prochaska & Norcross, 2018). In this article, “faith” is defined as a coherent belief system that connects the individual to a truth beyond themselves, whether that truth is God, humanity, cosmic order, or transcendent values. The central question is: How can faith provide a constructive response to existential questions and the fear of missing out?

Mechanisms of Faith’s Impact on Reducing Existential Anxiety

1. Structured Meaning-Making: Beyond Individual Searching

Unlike the often-futile individual search for meaning, faith provides a predefined framework for the “why” of life. According to Viktor Frankl (2016), suffering intensifies in the absence of meaning. Faith alleviates the burden of creating meaning ex nihilo by placing individual experiences within a larger narrative (such as serving God, humanity, or the cosmos). A domestic study by Rahimi et al. (2021) showed that the average score for meaning in life was significantly higher in individuals with strong spiritual beliefs compared to those without them.

2. Constructive Limitation: Modulating the Burden of Responsibility

Erich Fromm (2011) emphasizes the balance between freedom and security. Existential anxiety intensifies when an individual feels absolutely responsible for their own destiny. Faith—whether religious (with the concept of divine decree) or philosophical (with the acceptance of inherent human limitations)—breaks this illusion of absolute control and creates peace by sharing responsibility with a greater whole.

3. Fostering Social Belonging: An Antidote to Existential Isolation

One of the roots of the “fear of missing out” is social comparison and a sense of detachment. Faith, especially in religious forms, places the individual within a spiritual community with shared values and rituals. This belonging provides both emotional support and transforms destructive social comparison into meaningful companionship. This finding aligns with World Health Organization studies (Persian translation, 2020) on the role of social support in mental health.

4. Redefining Death and Time: From Threat to Transition

Faith transforms the passage of time and death from an absolute threat into a transition within a larger journey by providing a narrative of continuity (afterlife, reincarnation, or the survival of one’s impact). This shift in perspective reduces the pathological rush to “experience everything” and alleviates the pressure of “missing out.”

5. Strengthening Hope and Cognitive Resilience

Faith is a stable source of optimistic hope—hope built on a belief beyond tangible evidence. This hope gives the individual the ability to tolerate ambiguity and adversity. From the perspective of positive psychology (Seligman, 2011), hope is one of the strongest predictors of resilience against existential crises.

Critical Considerations and Limitations

Sole reliance on faith can pose risks:

· Escape from Responsibility: It may become an excuse for withdrawing from active choices and delegating all responsibility to “fate.”
· Dogmatism: If faith is interpreted in a closed, unquestioning manner, it can hinder personal growth and constructive coping with anxiety.
· Conflict with Scientific Realities: Without flexibility, it can lead to a crisis of faith and intensified anxiety.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Faith, when interpreted dynamically, inquisitively, and in dialogue with reason, can provide a powerful framework for managing existential anxiety and reducing the destructive feeling of “missing out.” However, this is not a universal solution. It is suggested:

1. In psychological counseling, respecting the client’s worldview, spiritual resources be utilized as a psychological asset.
2. Teaching critical thinking skills along with fostering spirituality is essential to avoid falling into the trap of dogmatism.
3. Future research in Iran should compare the effectiveness of faith-based strategies versus secular strategies (such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) in reducing existential anxiety.
Ultimately,perhaps the final answer lies not in denying existential anxiety, but in transforming it from an enemy into an engine for growth—whether through the path of faith or the path of philosophy.

References and Documentation

1. Frankl, Viktor. (2016). Man’s Search for Meaning. Translated by Mahin Milani. Dorsa Publications.
2. Fromm, Erich. (2011). The Art of Loving. Translated by Poori Soltani. Morvarid Publications.
3. Prochaska, James and Norcross, John. (2018). Theories of Psychotherapy. Translated by Yahya Seyed Mohammadi. Ravan Publications.
4. Rahimi, Ali; Mohammadi, Farideh; Hosseini, Seyed Hamid. (2021). “Investigating the Relationship Between Spirituality, Meaning in Life, and Mental Health in Students.” Iranian Journal of Clinical Psychology, 12(45), 23-35.
5. World Health Organization. (2020). Global Mental Health Report. Translated by the Translation Office of the Ministry of Health.
6. Seligman, Martin. (2015). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. Translated by Mostafa Tabrizi and Colleagues. Fararavan Publications.