[iris2000]

Hello!
I had a heart-rending experience a couple of months ago, but I am not going to elaborate on it as I might start feeling sad again (I made another post talking about it in case anyone cares). Now memories of that event flash through my mind everyday and dismay me (sometimes I even cry). This feeling lingers for a bit and it takes me some determination to fight against it. Another problem is that my experience made me fully realize my own mortality and now I keep thinking of possibly dying anytime, which frightens me you know... I feel like I am going to die young (I'm 17 now) and I need to snap out of this. Any advice would be appreciated...

[OutOfMyMind75]

I deal with this. There are memories that seem to be at the front of my mind all the time. It may not be the best, but I really just try distracting myself. Netflix is a best friend. Sorry I can't help more.

[mote.of.soul]

Whatever it is that you experienced, has obviously scarred you a bit @iris2000. Yes. That's why those memories aren't going away so quickly - they're linked to the impact the event had on you. The fear of dying is probably anxiety, and it's all part of experiencing a traumatic, heart rending event. You're 17, so I think it's really good you're reaching out like this. And I just want you to know, what you're going through isn't abnormal at all, in fact, from my understanding, it's actually a very common response to a very difficult episode in a persons life.

[painhurts]

Take it one day at a time. You have control over your thoughts, find a distraction, taking a walk, exercising or a book.

[DoroMona]

I agree with OutOfMyMind75. Find something to occupy your attention, like a long series. I remember one time being extremely upset about something and I ended up marathoning Inuyasha for 3 days. That marathon felt as long as a lifetime and put a real feeling of distance between me and my agitated emotions. From there, just try to hold onto it and gently steer your thoughts away from those toxic circles.
About obsessing about death... I get it. I have periods like that too. It will just suddenly seem so real and terrifying, the fact that it's coming. All I can say is--in my experience, those periods don't generally last. You can only spend so much time feeling terrified of something that's always with you. It will fade as you become more engaged in other things.

[Prycejosh1987]

You do need to snap out of it. Just because a problem came doesnt mean that you have to feel sad or insecure. All the best.