Fear Of Death...

Hi Guys!
Thanks for taking the time to read this post.
I've suffered from depression and panic attacks for the best part of 7 years now. The last 4 have been managable, which is great. I still don't throw myself into certain situations anymore, but I'm sure you can all appreciate how it changes you. Anyway, even tho I've suffered from the above, I've still always managed to main a healthy and fun loving lifestyle. I have a good life (bar my mind) and am lucky to have this. My problem (or maybe it isn't) is that I am coming up to my 30th b'day soon, and whether or not it's related, these last 6 months I've really been absorbed with a death. Not in a suicide way, but as in a fear of it. I'm not typically a hypocondriac, but now if I have a pain of niggle I analyse it till I'm borderline panic attacking. I also spend a lot of time scared about when my time will be up....could it be tomorrow...etc...And how I will go.....Not baring to be without my wife etc....! Now I know this is stupid and its all a mind thing, but it really is starting to get to me. Am I normal? Do people usually think this way alot? Somehow I doubt it!!! Thanks for listening again.

Hey there, I can relate to you somewhat. I think about death from time to time and can cause alot of anxiety to creep up when I do. I think about when my time will be up, leaving my wife and kids and so on. Its a empty and overpowering feeling because we both know unlike being afraid to get on a plane or something, we cannot avoid death. Obsessing over it as much as you are isnt really normal or a good thing. Any anxiety as you know taxes your over all well being. Possibly some OCD is cropping up, and maybe helped with some medication adjustment or therapy. I would defaintly talk to your psychologist about it next visit. But just rest assured there are some of us out there that feel the same way and have the same thoughts as you do.

Thanks for what you said. It means a lot. I think you're right tho, I think I need to try and maybe see someone before it all gets too much. Thanks again.

Hi Daveynice,

Depression certainly tilts us towards worry and fear, and the big one of course is the fear of death.

For a long time now I have been working on separating out the panic and anxiety (which comes on it's own) from the intellectual worrying (which I bring to myself).

A good way for me to deal with the fear of death has been through a Buddhist practise and that helps with the panic attacks as well. Meditating with others who are facing the issue of death head on has a great positive effect. We are not alone, and we all have to go through the process.

I hope this helps a bit.

Cheers, Myzen

I was reading about how the Japanese see suicide as an act of courage and honor...
Philosofically, death is a western society taboo just like incest and we are taught that even thinking that we are all going to die is regarded as something that we shouldn't spend time on.
It does sound like you've been obsessing a bit about it but just thinking about it shouldn't hurt you.
Maybe you just need to find some balance there between acknowledging death as a part of life and thinking about it too much.

Be well.