Fear of dying: that anxiety of death that prevents us from benefiting from the joys of life
The fear of dying often assails at any age. But if there are no objective reasons to fear your life, being irrationally afraid of everything in the end simply prevents you from living. A psychological and cognitive theory helps to overcome this type of fear that often causes great anxiety to the person concerned. Anxiety can be harmful but sometimes it helps you to be even stronger: watch the video!
Fear of dying: when the idea of dying terrifies
The fear of dying is one of the most recurring fears and certainly death is one of the things that causes the most fear. That we will all die sooner or later is a certainty. Thinking about death especially in a period of true sadness and anguish such as the one characterized by the pandemic is certainly obvious. Everyone thinks about death, once a year: this is the average.It happens because we feel close to death, because of the disappearance of a loved one, because we are afraid of an illness we face or because we are shaken by the news on the news. Those who have really come to terms with death, those who, due to Covid-19, have lived in mourning or were afraid of this insidious disease, of course, are more likely to have thoughts related to death or about the event itself of dying. . Even in the most ancient cultures, death has been identified with a faceless black figure. Not knowing what awaits us, what will happen during and above all after our death creates in us restlessness and anguish. Death, even for the current health context, it is therefore a matter of priority importance but for some the thought of death has always been an obsession. For them, the fear of dying joins other psychopathological issues. In any case, it is always good to pay attention and understand if we are dealing with a pathology or a normal fear, obviously they are very different things!
Fear of dying and its coexistence with other psycholopathological disorders of the personality
When the fear of death is invalidating in an individual, it is possible to trace a personality disorder, that is, a picture of inner experiences and behaviors such as to determine diaster and impairment. This type of disorder usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood.
Those suffering from narcissistic personality disorder are afraid of dying, the sense of emptiness of these patients leads to recurring thoughts associated with death. The loneliness of these patients is accompanied by a "distress of loneliness and also a real terror, not only of dying, but of dying alone. This thinking naturally aggravates their clinical picture and their depression. Dependent personality disorder also brings about it. to be afraid of dying. When, for example, the loved one is lost, the true lack of purpose and desires emerges. Death thus becomes yet another meaningless theme, to be afraid of: because you are sure that they will live it in solutidini and certainly will not be able to deal with it as it should be done.
Fear of dying: when linked to panic attacks
The fear of dying is a typical and recurring thought during a panic attack: those who suffer from it are afraid of losing control, they are afraid of going crazy but also of dying during the attacks. The typical symptoms of panic attack, chest pain, fainting and palpitations are confused with a heart attack and those suffering from panic attacks believe they are going to die. After medical examinations it is clearly seen that in reality there are no heart attacks or ischemias. in progress but only a panic attack: this however does not calm the anxiety of the patient who is afraid of feeling again like during the first attacks, every time he will not continue to always be afraid of dying but the fear of having new panic attacks will affect in a decisive way his social and relational life. If you suffer from panic attacks ask for help from a psychotherapist who will be able to advise you on an "adequate therapy to return to having a fulfilling social life.
The fear of dying ultimately affects your life and health - all you need to know
The fear of dying is a basic fear that leads to the development of the symptom of a new psychological pathology or is defined as an existential condition. We human beings are the only living beings on the planet aware of our existence: we reflect, reason and deal with death. We all have to deal with death: the fear of dying accompanies us in an avoidable way. But precisely because it can always happen, we must strive to live to the fullest by indulging in the joys and happiness that life gives us, in the here and now, the only possible way!
The fear of dying is not part of our being: when we come into the world, for the first 4 or 5 years of life, we are not afraid of death, for two reasons. On the one hand, because the idea of death is very far from our everyday life and then because only when the human grows does he find himself understanding and knowing death, this thing that takes people away from our life forever. It is this growing awareness that then helps us to accept death as inevitable: with this path we become adults.
Practical advice on how to deal with the fear of dying and return to life as it was before
Let's make a premise: if the fear of dying is invalidating these tips are not for you. Contact a psychotherapist and face a path that will lead you to resolve this fear and regain peace of mind and your social life. If, on the other hand, from time to time you happen to be afraid of dying and thinking about death, also because of the historical period, follow these simple tips to get better immediately.
Focus on what you can control: of course you cannot control death, nor disease. But you can focus on this very moment and live in the present. Observe everything that happens, don't judge, don't look too far ahead but focus on living what happens. And if you have moments of fear, accept them, look at this fear and make an effort to control it.
Stay in tune with your body: Learn to calm your body when it is anxious or agitated. Meditate, breathe and close your eyes. Yoga can also be of great help to you. Try to find something that gives you well-being, a Pilates session, a decontracting massage: anything that can get rid of tensions from your body.
Enjoy what happens to you and look at the world: looking at the world means not being subjected to it, live it like a child who sees the world for the first time, participate in what happens, ask yourself the reason for everything and pay attention to those details. they are now so used to not even notice them anymore.
Make yourself useful: Having values and doing something important for others will make you feel better.
Take care of yourself and others too, make value and good feelings come into the things you do and your days. Having goals and objectives will help you and the fear of death will take on a very different and more objective meaning!
