Thanatophobia, how to get rid of the fear of death

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Fear of death is a natural reaction of the psyche, which underlies self-preservation. This feeling is inherent in absolutely all living beings. We value life because we understand that we are mortal. It is the fear of dying that makes a person more attentive and careful. This avoids taking unreasonable risks.

But sometimes this feeling becomes so strong that it does not help, but hinders life. In this case, it is customary to talk about a pathological condition - thanatophobia. It is based on a panicky fear of death, which arises for no reason, mainly at a young age.

A person is tormented by obsessive thoughts about inevitable death. He stops going outside because it is dangerous there. Any discomfort in the body is perceived as a symptom of a serious illness. Mentions of funerals, cemeteries, and ghosts lead to a panic attack. The meaning of life is lost, which leads to loneliness and the development of depression.

Fear of death also occurs in people who suffer from panic attacks or neuroses. This condition requires treatment from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

General information

Thanatophobia is a condition in which a person develops anxiety caused by thoughts of death - his own or those of loved ones.
This is one of the phobias in which a person experiences irrational fear and finds it difficult to control his feelings. In contrast to the rational fear of death, caused by the fear of dying from disasters, accidents, and diseases, people with thanatophobia feel irrational anxiety, which is not supported by real grounds. At the same time, they experience a complex of unpleasant sensations that significantly interfere with normal life. Sometimes they are unable to cope with this condition, and they are forced to isolate themselves from society, quit their jobs, etc. As Wikipedia and other sources testify, fear of death is one of the reasons for the development of depression, neuroses and other mental health disorders.
The signs of thanatophobia, as well as how you can improve the condition of a person with such a phobia, will be discussed in this article.

Psychologist's advice and treatment

Therapy is selected based on why a person is afraid of dying. After identifying the source of the problem, it is recommended to accept the fact that it is impossible to avoid the end of life. Death is neither bad nor good. If a person has relatives or friends, then the departed person remains in their memory forever.

The patient needs to understand that there is no second chance to live life, so it is necessary to receive maximum happiness and benefit from everything that happens. The opportunity to experience joy should not be missed. If you constantly worry about your impending death, you can miss your long life without knowing what it means to be happy.

Positive thinking has been proven to speed up the recovery process from physical illness. When the problem is psycho-emotional in nature, optimism is one of the best medicines.

Pathogenesis

If in a normal state the fear of death appears in people under certain circumstances and disappears when the danger has passed, then with thanatophobia, obsessive thoughts are disturbing, even if there are no specific stimuli. Often people with this disorder realize that they have no reason to be afraid of death, but this understanding still does not make the anxiety go away.

The emergence and development of a phobia may be a consequence of the influence of several factors. Heredity, past psychological trauma, the inability to adapt to difficult circumstances, characteristics of family upbringing, etc. can influence its development.

How to stop being afraid of death?

After the incident, I began to live in the moment. Especially during the recovery process, those first few years. I simply could not make far-reaching plans, because too much was unknown. My head was filled with thoughts about the incident and attempts to cope with the pain. All this really taught me to live in the here and now. The realization finally dawned on me: I could die tomorrow or today, within the next few minutes. Feeling the vulnerability of life, rather than distantly reflecting on it, was a true gift of fate.

At what point did you realize you wanted to pursue medicine?

The experience I gained pushed me to this decision. Of course, you don't have to lose your limbs to want the same thing, let's be honest. But that’s exactly what happened to me, and I really wanted to put the experience to good use. I began to study various programs for protecting people with disabilities, helping them realize their capabilities. Medicine became a guiding star, an ambition that I wanted to try to realize. By the way, I began to realize my goals differently. Now I was not focused only on success. I wasn't afraid of getting burned. This gave me a huge advantage. I realized that I wasn't afraid to fail, and I started trying a lot: okay, I'll try to get into medical school; the worst that can happen is that I'll get expelled or I'll hate this activity, then I'll do something else. Such thoughts just a few years ago could have simply broken me.

How did you learn to take things easier?

When you are a person with disabilities, awkward situations happen to you all the time. For example, you are walking down the street and your prosthesis falls off. If you can even get used to this and start treating it with humor, why not take everything else lightly?

Have awkward things happened to you too?

My favorite incident happened in Denver. I was running across the road and my limb fell off. All the cars passing by stopped, passers-by were taken aback, no one immediately guessed that it was a prosthesis. They thought my leg had fallen off. One guy got out of the car, picked up my prosthesis and handed it to me with the funniest and most awkward face in the world. This is funny. Yes, many were scared, but nothing terrible happened.

Carefree is a great quality. It makes life more fun and the attitude towards death easier. Think about it, no matter what you do, you will die anyway, so why worry about what is inevitable. You just need to accept it, then there will be nothing to worry about. You should take failures just as lightly. The bad things will pass quickly, so you simply have nothing to fear.

Having been around older people in hospice for a long time, have you noticed what their biggest concerns are at the end of life?

They stop worrying about everyday worries. Older people are starting to think bigger. Time for them is no longer limited to the years they have lived and the years that remain; it becomes universal for them. One hundred years no longer seems like a long period of time to older people.

Their attitude towards themselves also changes. Over time, old people begin to feel increasingly small in relation to the huge world. They realize that life on Earth does not end when their life is interrupted.

You seem to have returned to philosophy and art history again.

Yes, because it all comes down to how people see themselves in the world. This is a very subjective thing. We can see ourselves as very big and everything else as small, or vice versa. Each person’s world is unique, and what it is like depends only on our perception of life. It is amazing.

Has your attitude towards losses changed after interacting with older people?

Living through pain is a great art, which, it seems to me, everyone should develop in themselves. When you begin to think about the place grief has in each of our lives, you will quickly realize that suffering and love are closely intertwined. When you lose someone who was not very close to you, you don’t worry too much, right? So, in my understanding, pain and love are inseparable. I agree that sometimes we simply don’t have the strength to suffer, I used to suppress this feeling in myself. When my sister died, it was as if I had forgotten how to feel. Now I regret that I did not live through that pain.

How should you experience pain?

Feel everything that is happening inside you. Don't give up on your feelings. After they pass, the grief will pass. It’s as if the clouds have cleared over you. But if you ban your pain inside yourself, it will remind you of itself for a very long time.

The material was first published on the American GQ website.

Classification

There is no generally accepted classification of thanatophobia. However, it can be divided into several varieties depending on the prerequisites that provoked the development of this pathology.

Biological prerequisites - phobia is caused by a predisposition of the nervous system to the manifestation of generalized reactions. Diseases, lack of sleep, congenital characteristics of the body, etc. can predispose to this.
Psychological prerequisites are associated with disturbances in the education system, in particular with increased guardianship and anxiety.
Social preconditions - associated with the wrong reaction to a variety of situations.

Why is hypnophobia dangerous?

During sleep, the body gains strength for the coming day; if this does not happen, the immune system is the first to suffer. This leads to a feeling of chronic fatigue, an unstable nervous system, attacks of aggression and depression. Due to a negative mood, there is a feeling that everything around is against you and things are going downhill.

The professional sphere also suffers, as the ability to concentrate deteriorates, memory begins to fail severely, and the desire to achieve new goals fades away every day. If you don't treat hypnophobia, you get the feeling that it will always be like this.

Causes of fear of death

There is an opinion that the fear of death is formed in childhood, but manifests itself in adulthood, when circumstances develop in a certain way. That is, if for certain reasons a child develops incorrect ideas about death, then in adulthood this can lead to the development of phobias.

An exacerbation of the fear of dying may occur when the following events occur:

disasters;
terrorist attacks;
car crashes;
tragic events related to a person (for example, he was late for a bus, which then got into an accident).

Also, a constant fear of death can develop due to the influence of such factors:

loss of loved ones, especially when they die at a young age;
constant fear of what awaits a person after death;
fear of torment, pain;
fanatical religiosity, superstition;
increased suggestibility;
a feeling of the futility of life, the frailty of existence;
loneliness, low self-esteem;
fear of losing control in a certain situation.

Thanatophobia most often develops in those who live in cities. Middle-aged men and older people are most susceptible to developing this condition.

This condition can also develop against the background of diseases: neurosis , anxiety disorders , etc.

Symptoms

Fear of death is a feeling that is associated with the instinct of self-preservation. However, thanatophobia is manifested by a number of pathological symptoms:

Obsessive thoughts about death.
Feeling of paralyzing horror at thoughts of death.
Increased suspiciousness.
Excitement.
Aggression and irritability.
Increased sensitivity, tearfulness.
Doubt about your own health.
Obsessive worry about specific problems: “I will die of a heart attack,” “I will die in an accident,” etc.
Increased reaction to conversations about funerals and death-related paraphernalia.
Sleep disorders.

In addition, along with mental disorders, somatic ones also appear. Such symptoms make the phobia worse. The following manifestations are likely:

Increased blood pressure, tachycardia .
Fainting, dizziness .
Nausea, gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Sexual life disorders.
Frequent urination.
Appetite disturbances, anorexia .
Shortness of breath , suffocation.
Weight loss.
Nightmares.
Fatigue, deterioration in performance.

In some cases, thanatophobia can manifest itself as panic attacks that develop in inappropriate places. At such a moment, it seems to a person that he is dying, and such sensations only worsen the general condition. At the same time, he is unable to fight obsessive thoughts.

Signs of thanatophobia

Thanatophobia is an uncontrollable fear of sudden death, reflecting a person’s experiences of the future unknown. Thanatophobia is often present in educated, accomplished people who are accustomed to control over their lives. In the case of death, no control is possible.

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For patients with thanatophobia, death is not an abstract concept, not a natural end to any life. They are literally fixated on their own fictional death. For example, someone is sure that he will die in a plane crash, so he refuses to fly on airplanes. Another constantly visits doctors and is examined because he expects an obligatory oncological disease and death from it.

Obsessive irrational behavior is accompanied by physiological symptoms:

insomnia, sleep disorders,
loss of appetite, gradual weight loss,
the appearance of neurotic painful sensations.

Uncontrollable fear of death is exhausting, causes irritability and aggressiveness.

Without timely seeking help, the lifestyle of a patient with thanatophobia changes radically. Among the negative changes in severe forms of phobia are:

separation from family and friends;
reduction in the number of social contacts;
refusal of everyday household chores and work responsibilities.

The patient gradually develops psychosomatic diseases. Constant stress increases the likelihood of using alcohol and drugs.

Thanatophobia can have different manifestations:

fear of losing control,
fear of pain or illness,
fear of the unknown,
fear of losing family and friends,
fear of leaving relatives without care and support.

Quite often, the true essence of thanatophobia lies not in the fear of dying, but in the fear of the circumstances that accompany dying. Many are afraid of pain and deadly disease. Others consider the worst thing to be to remain incapacitated at the end of life and to be a burden to loved ones.

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COST OF TREATMENT

In middle-aged people, thanatophobia is associated with concerns about the well-being of loved ones who will be left alone after their death. In addition, doctors note an increase in cases of panic fear of death in children and adolescents.

Secondary manifestations of thanatophobia are an uncontrollable fear of the dead, tombstones, other attributes of death and symbolism associated with the transition to another world. People try to distance themselves from them, do not visit cemeteries, and do not come to funerals.

Tests and diagnostics

To confirm the diagnosis of thanatophobia and the disorders that accompany it, you need to contact a professional psychiatrist. The doctor conducts a detailed conversation with the patient and asks clarifying questions.

During the diagnostic process, various questionnaires can be used to determine personality traits and types of fears.

Sometimes there is a need to consult with other specialists - a cardiologist, a therapist, etc. In turn, they may prescribe additional examinations.

Modern methods of treatment

You can overcome your phobias only by recognizing the existence of a problem and seeking help from specialists - a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
The basis of treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, other types of psychotherapy, and the use of hypnosis. In the early stages, you can cope on your own under the guidance of a professional; in later stages, you need the constant help of a doctor.

You can also additionally use:

communication with loved ones, conversations;
physical activity, staying in the fresh air;
proper nutrition without psychostimulants;
rejection of bad habits.

Prevention

In order to prevent the condition from worsening when the fear of death manifests itself, it is necessary to follow some rules of prevention.

Communicate with positive people who know how to inspire.
Avoid negative information: crime news, disaster films, etc.
Practice activities that help distract you from negativity, as well as read inspiring books.
Communicate more with loved ones, family, friends.
Eat properly.
Play sports, walk a lot.

Diet

Diet for the nervous system

Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 2 months
Timing: constantly
Cost of food: 1700-1800 rubles per week

It is recommended to consume foods that have a positive effect on the nervous system:

Legumes, vegetables, greens.
Fish and seafood.
Cellulose.
Fruits.
Nuts, seeds.
Olive and linseed oil.
Dairy products.
Lean meat.

The following products should be minimized:

Sweets, baked goods, baked goods.
Fat meat.
Fried foods.
It is recommended to minimize salt and foods high in salt.
Alcohol.

Consequences and complications

People suffering from thanatophobia often experience negative emotions. Due to constant anxiety, it is sometimes difficult for them to perform everyday tasks, work, and communicate with people. This condition significantly worsens the overall quality of life.

In severe cases, the patient may not leave the house for a long time and stop most contacts with people.

An obsessive state can lead to the development of other mental disorders.

Constantly being under stress also negatively affects the functions of the immune system.

Another risk is the desire to relieve anxiety by drinking alcohol or taking drugs. As a result, the patient may become dependent on them.

How to treat thanatophobia

It is impossible to cure this phobia on your own. In addition, only a professional can correctly diagnose thanatophobia, because there are many causes of its occurrence and possible complications.

The necessary qualified specialist assistance can be obtained at our medical center. Experienced doctors will diagnose the disease and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment. They will help eliminate obsessive states and improve the patient’s quality of life.

One of the methods of dealing with this disorder is to instill in the patient the confidence that life is valuable in the present. If you are afraid of the unknown in the future, enjoy the present. With the help of our specialists you will learn these practices.

The necessary course of treatment and rehabilitation is selected individually for each patient. The leading methods of treating thanatophobia are hypnosis and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.

Take the first step towards treating your phobia - make an appointment at the KORSAKOV clinic!