Waiting Amidst Uncertainty: A Humanistic-Existential Approach to Anxiety

Abstract

This conceptual article examines the universal human experience of waiting amidst uncertainty and its connection to existential anxiety, situating the discussion within humanistic principles. Existential anxiety, characterized by hopelessness and avoidance, emerges as individuals grapple with life's uncertainties and the search for meaning. This article reconfigures existing humanistic-existential principles to address the psychological challenges of waiting, integrating insights from the DSM-5-TR to enhance clinical understanding. By reframing waiting in uncertainty not merely as passive despair but as an opportunity for growth and self-reflection, the discussion highlights how this existential state can serve as a catalyst for resilience and meaning-making. Practical strategies grounded in existential dialogue, mindfulness practices, and culturally informed approaches are proposed to help clients navigate existential anxiety.