"is it normal to be deathly afraid of dying?"

68% Normal
16 Comments

About 6 months ago I developed this overwhelming fear of dying. I cry uncontrollably when I think about it and live in constant fear. I cannot wrap my mind around the thought of not existing. I am afraid to go to sleep at night because I am afraid I will not wake up. The only time I feel safe is when I go to the doctors or hospital (weird I know). I am afraid of just suddenly dying because I am so young (22yrs old). This fear eats at me everyday and I can't handle it much longer. Is it normal to be this afraid of dying? And is it normal to be afraid everyday that you might die?

Voting Results
68% Normal
Based on 80 votes (54 yes)
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Comments ( 16 )
  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    How you come into something determines how you leave it.

    Your fear of death began with a single thought so that's where you have to start. You have to take control of your thinking and not allow your mind to wander to death, corruption etc. Think about how great life is or about how young and vibrant you are and how much life you have to look forward it. Give it time.

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    • Dazzle
      11 years ago

      Or explore the subject entirely and come to terms with it.
      Took me 3 years, but I finally feel fine with it... until the time comes and I shit myself. Can't say I haven't had a Relapse, but they won't last longer than 5 minutes.
      Your advice was really good though.
      Good luck with it, I sincerely hope you didn't get this fear recently, because it's a freaking huge pain in the butt to get rid of and it remains, lingers hidden until you have a relapse.
      But if you want the way I used to cool myself when I was "in" the fear phase: you have a lot of time, think about it tomorrow, and gradually repel it, "I'll think about it when I'm as dry as a bad cookie or about to die".

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  • fappydaze
    12 years ago

    I'm extremely afraid of death, because I think there's a good chance I will be in hell forever. I don't think your fear is normal because you simply fear not existing anymore. Millions or more probably wish they didn't exist. I would definitely opt for non-existance over eternal torture that is more extreme than we could ever even imagine. If I believed we simply no longer exist after death, I would probably have little to no fear of death

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  • Bow95
    11 years ago

    Try astral projection.

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  • heywhatsgoingon
    12 years ago

    it is something that everyone goes through eventually the feeling will pass and you will feel normal and not afraid of it, i know its horrible but i promise it will pass... just dont do anything stupid. but i doubt you will because you dont seem like a stupid person...

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  • JoeyB123
    12 years ago

    I was untill I looked at my relative insignificance. When my life ends the universe won't bat an eyelid. I don't really matter. Well, it made me feel better. Might have the opposite effect on you...

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    • Dazzle
      11 years ago

      That's what my shrink told me when I was in a bad phase, I fired him right away.
      Got over it by myself, better that way. Only you will know how to soothe those feelings.

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  • What'sMyName?
    12 years ago

    Ha, the title is a pun... Or whatever you call it.

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  • [Old Memory]
    12 years ago

    Accept it, you're going to die someday. All I can say is tell everyone in your life how much you love them. That way you'll live on in their hearts.

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    • Dazzle
      11 years ago

      "Far from the eyes, far from the heart"
      Everyone forgets and gets forgotten.

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  • dappled
    12 years ago

    It's something I live with every day, and it's often the first thing on my mind when I wake up. I don't know what to advise you because I've not really dealt with it properly myself. Maybe all I can say is you're not alone.

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    • Linds07
      12 years ago

      @ dappled: It is definitely something on my mind as well when I first wake up... it's nice to know I'm not alone.. and I have seen a therapist but I didn't really find her to be of help when it came to the fear of dying issue.. I wish us both the best of luck in dealing with this

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      • dappled
        12 years ago

        You're definitely not alone. I always think life should be like a computer game. The first time you play it, you make all kinds of stupid mistakes, but you always get another chance to start again and be better at it. I think Buddhists have the same idea. :)

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        • Dazzle
          11 years ago

          If I'm not mistaken, after you get reincarnated a bunch of times, you become worthy and have to go into "oblivion", in a state of non-existence.
          Anyway, I think no one is alone about this since we're all bound to stop living one day.
          Just try to get that thought out of your head, and prevent it from taking over your life. I don't think about it when I wake up but I remember a most unpleasant time when I did.
          Good luck with getting over it.

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          • dappled
            11 years ago

            Yeah, you go through levels until you finally hit nirvana. I think I've got a fair way to go on that front. Thank you, though. :)

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  • fishbowllover
    12 years ago

    It's a legit fear

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