Is A Sense Of Dread A Sign Of Something More Serious?

From time to time, experiencing a form of dread or a sense of impending doom can be normal. However, if you struggle to pinpoint why you have unexplained feelings of dread, a more serious problem may be underneath the surface. Substance use and untreated medical or mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder or panic disorder, may lead to dread in some cases, affecting both children and adults. 

Identifying symptoms and seeking medical care from a qualified healthcare professional if you experience dread for seemingly no reason can be important. Treatment can often address underlying conditions and provide relief. In addition, connecting with a supportive therapist online or through contact with support groups may help you treat the underlying root cause of your unexplained dread, refer you to additional resources, and involve family members in the recovery process. 

Below, explore the potential causes of a sense of dread or a sinking feeling, including anxiety disorders and “panic attacks” associated with panic disorder. In addition, find different methods you might use to find relief from these intense feelings. 

What is dread?

Many people (including children and teens) experience dread when they anticipate a negative event in the future. This emotion, which describes an intense fear, is a typical response in certain situations. For example, imagine you're at a restaurant and realizing you left your wallet home. You may dread getting the bill since you know you can't pay for your meal.

Often, dread may be no cause for alarm. However, some people may experience dread even when they are safe and happy with no perceived threat. These individuals may be unable to pinpoint the cause of their dread or may find themselves dreading everyday situations, such as going to work or driving. If you experience dread, understanding the cause, risk factors, and roles it plays in your life can be helpful. Asking questions about your emotions can help you determine the effectiveness of coping strategies and guide you toward understanding different types of support, depending on your mind and emotional state.

If the cause of your dread is unexplainable or due to an everyday situation, there may be something more significant, like a medical or mental health condition, underlying your feelings of dread. 

What is dread a sign of? 

If you’re experiencing new or unexplained feelings of dread, your feelings may be related to an underlying medical or mental health disorder. Take note of when and how often you are having these feelings so you can tell if they are frequently appearing and so that you can discuss them with your doctor. You may also want to note any other accompanying physical symptoms, like nausea, shortness of breath, or a rapid heartbeat. Talking about your experience with a medical or mental health provider can help you get the treatment you need to feel like yourself again.

Causes of dread 

Reviewing your history and considering any occurrences that might cause a lingering sense of dread can be helpful. For example, when a surgical patient experiences intraoperative awareness while under general anesthesia, that person may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression. If you speak with a mental health professional, bringing such events to their attention may help them develop a more effective treatment plan for your symptoms.

Medical conditions causing feelings of dread

You may experience a sense of dread before and after certain medical procedures or events. For instance, if you experience a heart attack, stroke, or seizure, you may be concerned that this event will happen again, causing your feelings of dread. 

Many medical providers consider a sense of impending doom a legitimate symptom of different medical conditions. For example, anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions, can cause some people to feel dread before other symptoms occur. So can seizures, heart attacks, and blood clots. Certain types of tumors, including brain tumors and tumors in the adrenal glands, may also cause you to feel dread.

Generalized anxiety disorder

Anxiety disorders may also lead you to experience frequent feelings of dread, physical threat, or life-threatening danger. If you have been previously diagnosed with anxiety, discussing the root cause of your feelings of doom may help you manage this symptom. If you have not been diagnosed with anxiety but frequently experience dread along with other common anxiety symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, unexplained body pain, or difficulty concentrating, you may discuss your symptoms with a mental health provider. A proper diagnosis of anxiety may help explain why you’re feeling the way you do. 

Panic disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by frequent panic attacks, which are episodes of intense anxiety or fear that may occur unexpectedly. People living with panic disorder may experience dread due to the unpredictable nature of panic attacks. Because a sense of doom or despair may also accompany panic attacks, unexplained dread may be a result of an underlying panic disorder.

Depression

Underlying depression may also cause unexplained feelings of dread. While many people may think of depression as being characterized by sad feelings, anxiety and dread are two other common symptoms of depression. If you have previously been diagnosed with depression, a mental health provider may be able to help you understand the relationship between your current symptoms and your history of depression. If you have not experienced depression previously, you may consider talking about your current symptoms with a medical or mental health care provider.

Other mental health conditions

Aside from generalized anxiety disorder, other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause an unexplained sense of impending doom or feelings of dread. 

A persistent sense of dread can be a symptom of various mental health conditions; seek advice from a medically reviewed source for accurate information and guidance. If you believe you may be experiencing signs of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain) or another life-threatening medical condition, doctors recommend going to the hospital for medical advice and evaluation.

What does unexplained dread feel like?

For many people, dread may cause an intense sense that they are in danger. However, dread may be accompanied by other symptoms, including: 

• An unshakable belief that something bad is going to happen (to yourself, others, or the world) 

• Being fidgety or struggling to sit still 

• Nausea

• Sweating or hot flashes

• Malaise 

• Uncontrollable shaking

• Chest pains

• Heart palpitations

If you notice one or more of these symptoms, seek immediate medical care. They may be a sign of a serious medical condition or an indication that you might soon experience a serious medical event, like a pulmonary embolism, seizure, or stroke. If you decide to pursue support, your healthcare provider may run some tests to rule out certain medical conditions, such as blood clots. They may also discuss your personal life to help determine if you are experiencing anxiety, panic disorder, or some other mental health condition. If you have experienced any similar symptoms before or have been diagnosed with a medical or mental health condition, it’s vital to give as much information as possible to your healthcare provider to help you get the most effective treatment.

Treatment options for a sense of dread

The treatment you receive for your dreadful feelings often depends on the underlying cause of your symptoms. In many cases, a physician or licensed counselor can help you create an effective plan for treatment. For example, people who are experiencing anxiety may be consulted about undergoing cognitive behavior therapy or taking medication (as prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist), among other treatment options.

Getting support from a licensed counselor may also help people experiencing dread related to mental health challenges get the support they need to feel better. A mental health professional can support individuals in identifying why they’re feeling dread and work with them to overcome it.

Some lifestyle changes may also help you manage or prevent feelings of dread or anxiety. In conjunction with targeted medical or mental health care, you may try the following to reduce negative feelings associated with dread:

• Paying attention to your physical health: If you know or suspect that you have a physical ailment, you may want to see a medical provider. Feelings of dread can be a warning sign for many serious conditions but avoid jumping to conclusions without consulting a doctor for medical advice. 

• Paying attention to your mental health: If you’re experiencing feelings of sadness or anxiety, you may want to speak with a mental health provider, especially if these feelings affect your daily routine.

• Eating nutritious meals: Eat nutritious meals each day and talk to a nutritionist or doctor about the best foods for your unique body.

• Finding a support system: Research confirms that strong social support can promote positive mental health outcomes. Having social relationships, friends, and family to lean on during periods of anxiety or sadness may support your mental and physical health.

• Avoiding situations that exacerbate your symptoms: If you notice your feelings of dread arise in certain situations, such as in dangerous or stressful scenarios, try to avoid them whenever possible.

• Limiting stress when you can: Learn to recognize when you’re experiencing high levels of stress and do what you can to minimize it. Activities like yoga, meditation, or journaling may help, as can taking a break if you feel overwhelmed. 

• Exercising regularly: Exercise may ease symptoms of depression or anxiety by releasing endorphins and replacing negative coping strategies with something more productive.

How to find accessible mental health support

If you are experiencing feelings of dread without knowing the underlying cause, an online platform like BetterHelp can be an accessible way to find support. Since online therapy sessions can be performed after hours, it is generally a more available form of mental health treatment for people who don’t already have an established mental health care provider. Speaking with a counselor online may be more comfortable for those experiencing social anxiety, depression, or panic disorder, since therapy sessions may be obtained from a place the individual feels safe, like their home. Your therapist may teach you problem-solving and relaxation methods to help reduce the feeling of dread you experience. 

Some individuals experiencing dreadful emotions have underlying mental health conditions like anxiety, panic disorder, and depression. They may often seek treatment from a qualified, licensed professional. Online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment method commonly used for treating these and other kinds of mental health disorders. One case report found that online-based CBT was effective in treating and managing various psychiatric disorders. Researchers also found that ICBT successfully managed comorbid mental health conditions resulting from physical conditions, such as depression in those living with diabetes.