Extreme fear of death

[Lunacake]

I hope I’ve posted this in the right thread. Does anybody else have an extreme fear of death? I’ve always been very health-conscious, lately I’ve been taking it to the extreme and panicking over the tiniest of thing wondering if it’s serious.

I feel so scared of dying, I sometimes sit and worry about how or when I’m going to die.

I feel my worries have got worse after my mother’s recent second battle with cancer.

Does anybody else feel like this?

It's a perfectly normal reaction to bereavement - very sorry for your loss

If it doesn't pass then please consider some bereavement therapy

Should really not have assumed your mother had died

However, death anxiety is a perfectly normal reaction to brushes with death or being confronted with the mortality of a loved one

OP I can really relate to this and it brings me comfort seeing you post something I stress about daily! My fear of death is worse when I'm trying to go to sleep, I'll start getting palpitations and sometimes almost feel like I'm going to have a panic attack. It's been happening for nearly 2yrs can't really offer much words of advice but I feel your pain OP

I have always been worried but recently my health anxiety is through the roof , I'm constantly feeling for lumps and incredibly anxious about missing something and ending up dead this year! It's horrendous!

Im so sorry i have no advice op just wanted you to know i know exactly how you're feeling. I always get an overwhelming fear of death i used to just get it every so often but now its every day. My partner just says don't think about it but i find that impossible.

I used to spend a lot of time researching health related things and death-related things. I have always been very very aware of my own mortality and am really afraid of wasting time and dying young. In my case too it was after sudden and severe health issues of a family member.

The turning point for me came in my mid-20s when I started to see this fear as permission to do things I wanted to do. I eat delicious foods, really laugh, and make sure I tell people how great they are. I do my best to avoid things that make me sad (that includes sad TV!). When you're aware that life isn't forever, you don't waste time, and you focus I think on what really matters to you.

When I get into a bit of a panic, I force myself to do something else than whatever I was doing when the worry invaded-- ideally, something that involves getting up and go out (or at least into a different room). I remind myself that I'm anxious because I love my life so much that I want to protect it. I don't want to miss out on anything!

This isn't a problem with a quick fix and I really feel for you, OP. Is there anyone in real life that you can chat to? Hope all is well with Mum now.