The term "existential crisis" was coined by psychologist and philosopher Viktor Frankl in the mid-twentieth century. He used the term to describe a state of extreme anxiety or confusion in which a person begins to question their basic assumptions about life.

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An existential crisis is a period of intense self-reflection and anxiety about one's existence, meaning, and purpose. It is often triggered by some event that shakes a person's sense of security, identity, or self-worth; events that force people to confront the idea of their own mortality. These events can include the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of employment, or illness. However, some people may experience an existential crisis for no specific reason at all.

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And sometimes a crisis is not easy to recognize because they don't always present themselves as dramatic or traumatic events. They can be small and subtle episodes that don't seem like much at first, but eventually build up over time.

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People who are having an existential crisis usually ask themselves questions like "What does it all mean?", "What am I doing here?", "Who am I?" or "Why am I here?" The answers may not be as easy as they seem at first glance.

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Facing an existential crisis is one of the most profound and life changing events in a persons life. Whether it leads to great happiness or great despair, is determined by how the individual responds to it.