The noogenic crisis, described by Viktor Frankl as part of logotherapy, is a specific type of psychological suffering connected to the spiritual side of human life. Unlike mental or physical disorders, it is not a disease in itself, though it can have serious clinical effects.
This review aims to examine how the noogenic crisis develops and what helps people find meaning in life again. To do this, a narrative review of theoretical and empirical literature was conducted. The review shows that the main drivers of the crisis are the inability to find meaning, a feeling of inner emptiness, and the loss of one’s values. Research confirms that logotherapy-based interventions are effective in helping people find meaning and in reducing depression.
Based on the review, practical suggestions are offered for therapists working with people going through a noogenic crisis. The findings stress the importance of addressing the spiritual dimension as a key resource in helping people rebuild their sense of meaning, which fits into a wider view of spirituality as something that protects and supports mental health.