Sense of Impending Doom: Definition Causes and What to Do

What is a Sense of Impending Doom? A sense of impending doom is a feeling of dread or anxiety that something bad is about to happen. Accompanying feelings include a sense of urgency, restlessness, and uncertainty.

Psychological Causes of a Sense of Impending Doom: - Misattribution of Physical Sensations: Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, and sweating. These physical sensations can be interpreted as signs of an impending disaster.

• Emotional Hallucinations: In some cases, a sense of impending doom can be a form of emotional hallucination or delusion, where a person holds a false belief despite evidence to the contrary.

• Conditions Associated with a Sense of Impending Doom:

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Severe Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Medical Causes of a Sense of Impending Doom: - Anaphylaxis: A severe allergic reaction. - Blood Transfusion Reactions: The transfusion of incompatible blood. - Exposure to Toxins and Poisonings: Cyanide poisoning or jellyfish stings. - Intraoperative Awareness: Waking up during surgery. - Pheochromocytoma: A type of adrenal gland tumor. - Pulmonary Emboli: Clots in the arteries of the lungs. - Seizures: Both epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. - Heart Attacks: A sense of doom may precede a heart attack.

Physiological Explanations for a Sense of Impending Doom: - Catecholamine Release: A surge of hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline, which can lead to anxiety and a sense of impending doom. - Nervous System Component: Temporal lobe epilepsy may cause a sense of impending doom. - Near-Death Awareness: Some individuals may experience a sense of impending doom before their death.

How to Get Help: - Seek Professional Help: Talk to a doctor or therapist if you experience a sense of impending doom. - Challenge Negative Thoughts: Break the cycle of anxiety by challenging negative thoughts and grounding yourself in reality. - Develop Coping Strategies: Work with a therapist to identify thought patterns contributing to anxiety and develop new coping strategies.