Do you frequently worry that something negative will happen?
Anxiety, restlessness, a sense of urgency, or a feeling that tragedy will happen are all common symptoms of having a sense of dread or impending doom. People with specific mental health conditions are more likely to experience it than others. These dreadful feelings can strike quickly and seemingly out of nowhere. It might happen from anywhere at any time, frequently or just sometimes.
If you want to understand what can cause this feeling and what you can do about it, read the article below!
Feelings of Impending Doom: What Are They?
The overpowering feeling of imminent disaster [1*] might strike once or more. These feelings may appear on their own, or they may appear before, concurrently with, or subsequent to the escalation of other anxiety-related symptoms and experiences. The signs of approaching disaster are often described by one or more of the following.
- You feel that something terrible is about to happen and that you can’t stop it.
- You have a strong feeling that you are about to die.
- There was a strong sense of foreboding, sorrow, despair, and imminent danger.
- The worry of impending tragedy may trigger or accompany a panic or anxiety episode.
- You have such a strong sense of dread that you think you have to leave immediately in case anything horrible happens.
Why Do You Feel Like Something Is About to Happen?
There are various physiological and psychological explanations that might help illustrate why and how the persistent sensation of impending doom arises.
- Tension. The brain’s fear center, the amygdala, becomes engaged due to stress hormones. The body uses this stimulating impact as a vital part of its survival strategy. The amygdala becomes hypervigilant due to stress hormones, alerting the body to danger and hunting for it. Anxiety is a result of excessive stress levels. Thus, a high level of stress may cause an overpowering sensation of impending doom and gloom.
- Depression. When you’re sad, you see things differently. Suicidal or self-harming thoughts, feeling gloomy or pessimistic, and experiencing decreased energy and fatigue are other indicators of a depressed episode.
- Attacks of panic. Numerous anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, can evoke a sense of impending doom. This feeling may accompany uncontrollably occurring panic or anxiety episodes caused by persistently elevated stress, especially if the tension is considerable.
- Disorder bipolar. Individuals diagnosed with bipolar illness may experience abrupt changes in their energy, mood, and degree of activity. The condition is characterized by manic highs and dismal lows. If you’re experiencing a depressed episode, you could think that something terrible is about to happen.
- Health-related issues. A number of acute medical conditions may present warning signs. The body may provide the brain a signal that something is terribly wrong. The following medical problems have the potential to foreshadow imminent disaster:
- Heart attack
- Asthma
- Seizure
- Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)
- Respiratory emboli (clots that break off in the legs and flow to the lungs)
How Can I Get Rid of My Feeling of Coming Disaster?
You don’t treat the feeling of imminent doom. You address the issue that is most likely the root cause. For example, if depression, anxiety, or panic disorder are the main causes, you could get treatment with medication or psychotherapy. Additionally, your healthcare provider may recommend impromptu techniques such as breathing exercises, grounding, or mindfulness activities. These techniques can lessen feelings of anxiety and depression, or “doom and gloom.”
Here are some coping mechanisms to help you deal with the ubiquitous feeling that you are facing fate alone.
- Regular breathing exercises ↗ may help prevent imminent disasters as well as assist in managing them when they do arise.
- Frequent exercise ↗, particularly cardiovascular exercise, can improve your confidence, mood, and ability to handle stress.
- Eating a balanced diet ↗ on a daily basis can assist in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
- Because they may increase anxiety, alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine should all be avoided.
- Anxiety support groups provide assistance that may help you manage your episodes. Finding out that others share your feelings may be reassuring. Your physician may put you in touch with local groups.
In summary
A feeling of impending disaster is associated with symptoms of anxiety and panic disorders. It may also be linked to physical health issues, including potentially fatal allergic reactions or heart attacks.
