“Impending doom” is a mental or sometimes physical feeling that something bad is about to happen. It’s more of an intuitive knowing than a rational or logical prediction. Many people report feeling this way, especially in response to difficult news or current events. 

There isn’t a simple explanation that explains every instance: impending doom can sometimes be an intuitive sense that turns out to be true, and sometimes it’s a false alarm. It can also be a symptom of anxiety or a warning sign of a medical event like a heart attack, stroke or seizure.

In any of these situations, a feeling of impending doom can quickly turn into a panic spiral. While these feelings should be taken seriously, it’s important to stay grounded and evaluate what you’re noticing in your body and environment. It could be “just stress,” but stress can also be a part of a bigger picture.

In this article, we’ll talk through possible explanations for a feeling of impending doom and how to know what you should do to care for yourself. 

Understanding impending doom 

When people have a sense of impending doom, they often don’t know exactly what to expect. They just feel like they need to be ready to respond, or that there may be nothing they can do. It’s different from typical anxiety or worry in that it’s not a hypothetical idea: the person feels a deep certainty, although they can’t explain it. 

The body’s stress response usually plays a role. It begins in the brain and nervous system, triggering a release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. The physiological feelings and symptoms are what make impending doom seem so real and imminent. 

You may enter one of the “fight or flight” states: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. 

Fight, flight, freeze are the classic autonomic responses. “Fawn” is a trauma-related social-appeasement response. In people with anxiety and trauma-related conditions, these responses may be overactive, or they may be more sensitive to stress. 

Some symptoms that can accompany a sense of impending doom include:

• Nausea
• Sweating
• Tremors or shaking
• Heart palpitations or fluttering
• Hot flashes
• Shortness of breath
• Depersonalization, or feeling as if you’re watching from somewhere outside your body

When doom feelings signal something serious 

Stress can trigger a sense of impending doom, and chronic stress can make a person more vulnerable to this feeling. Sometimes it’s a response to an environmental hazard like a natural disaster. In some cases, it can be a red flag that signals a person needs help. 

Impending doom is unsettling by nature, so it’s important to distinguish between your emotional response and the actual situation so you can determine your next steps. When you are concerned about a medical condition, it’s important to seek a professional evaluation before drawing conclusions.

The following are some examples of situations when impending doom is related to an urgent matter.

Immediate danger

If a person is in danger, a feeling of doom may be a sign that action is needed to get them to safety. These feelings should be taken seriously, especially if a person is experiencing abuse or stalking. Disasters, violent attacks, neglect and other safety issues can cause these feelings.

Medical conditions 

Certain medical conditions can cause a sense of doom. While not always emergencies, these conditions still benefit from professional care.

The following medical conditions can cause feelings of impending doom:

• Panic disorder and anxiety conditions
• Thyroid issues 
• Epilepsy
• Tumors
• Traumatic brain injury
• Medication side effects 

Medical emergencies

When a sense of doom is accompanied by other symptoms of a medical emergency, it’s imperative to seek evaluation and care right away. These might include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, irritability, chest pain, pain that spreads to other parts of the body — such as jaw or arm pain, which can be linked to a heart attack — difficulty breathing, nausea or vomiting, and heart palpitations. You should also consider the person’s health status and medical history when assessing an emergency situation.

These medical emergencies may cause a sense of doom:

• Suicidality
• Psychosis (experiencing or believing things that may not be based in reality)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Anaphylaxis
• Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs)

Getting help for a sense of impending doom

Impending doom isn’t about being dramatic; it’s your nervous system sending emergency signals that deserve the same attention as any other medical symptom. You should always exercise caution and put safety first. 

If you determine your impending doom is just a feeling, mindfulness and relaxation practices may help. When other symptoms are present, you may need to seek medical attention. An emergency team will start by taking vital measurements, asking questions about what you’re experiencing, and looking for physical signs of a medical emergency.

When feelings of doom are part of a mental health emergency, the first step is stabilization. Following up with comprehensive treatment can help the person manage their symptoms in the future or potentially reduce them. At Lightfully, our licensed clinicians provide primary mental health treatment with a focus on the whole person. This means we see you as a person first, not a diagnosis. We use our Precision Care Model (PCM) to help you manage your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. 

When you’re ready to take the next step, reach out. We’ll take it together. Please contact us to start a conversation.