Child fixating on death

[notheragain4]

My 9 year old has become fixated on death, I imagine coronavirus being the epicentre of our world right now has exasperated it. He is terrified of dying, he understands it should be a long time away but he's broken hearted and angry at the fact he has to die. He doesn't seem so worried about the rest of us (lol) but very frustrated for himself. We are having tears most nights (he's ok during the day), at first I thought it was a delaying tactic but he's being very persistent and seems genuinely broken hearted each night. It doesn't help I said death was like going to sleep so now he seems to dread going to sleep (I've tried to re-explain what I meant and that sleep doesn't cause death!)

It also doesn't help we are not religious and I am very honest about that. I haven't said that I don't not believe in an after life, but that I simply don't know what happens afterwards but as I'm not a Christian I don't believe in heaven or hell. I'm worried I've made things worse by saying this (these were in separate conversations I have to say from before he developed these feelings, he's put 2 and 2 together) do I lie to him? And say actually I think there might be? Do I need to see a GP? He's usually so laid back, but everything has changed since this awful virus, as he's year 4 he hasn't been able to go to school.

I don't think it is much to worry about tbh. My daughter is in Year 3 and she had asked similar questions a few months ago. If you are worried I would see the GP though.

I personally have gone through this in adult life and it was brought on by a traumatising experience I went through. I generally suffer health anxiety and generalised anxiety. I understand his feelings, so with that in mind I would say perhaps speak to the GP and see if you can get any advice or help from any specialists, just to make sure it doesn’t escalate in to other anxieties and worries which could end up overtaking! He will very likely get over this as quickly as he started it, but if not, I would get some help. Distractions help too, which is probably why he’s getting upset at night when he’s more likely to be alone with his thoughts.

I'm worried because he's crying himself to sleep every night, it's not just a fleeting realisation it feels like it's really bedding in and overwhelming him, I just don't know what to say to him. I relate to his feelings so much, I don't remember thinking about it as a child though.