Bridging Human and Machine Minds: Existential Anxiety, AI Consciousness, and the Future of Mental Health

In recent years, the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), existential psychology, and neuropsychology has opened new paths toward understanding and addressing anxiety disorders. This theoretical and interdisciplinary study explores the role of existential anxiety-rooted in themes of death, freedom, meaninglessness, and isolation—as a fundamental component of human psychological suffering. It argues that ignoring existential concerns may contribute to the persistence or intensification of clinical anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety or depression. The paper proposes that developing models of AI capable of simulating or reflecting on existential anxiety can not only enhance mental health tools but may also serve as a novel framework for designing conscious-like AI systems. Drawing from philosophical traditions (especially existentialism), cognitive neuroscience, and recent advances in affective computing, we analyze how human-like existential experiences might be modeled computationally. The implications of this work are twofold: first, it provides a new perspective for integrating existential dimensions into psychological treatment through intelligent systems; second, it raises ethical and epistemological questions about AI's capacity for empathy and self-awareness. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration to address both the therapeutic and philosophical challenges at the heart of human and artificial minds.

Keywords:

Existential Anxiety , Artificial Intelligence , Consciousness , Mental Health , Affective Computing , Neuropsychology , Human-AI Interaction