How do deal with Thanatophobia?

Question

With most phobias part of the process is to confront the origin or source of your fear. When one thinks too much about the inevitable death and makes themself nauseous, what could psychological help possibly do to help deter these thoughts?

How can one overcome these thoughts, especially when (hopefully) it is something that probably will not occur for a long time?

I ask this hear because as an atheist I have no belief in an afterlife, so there is no comfort there either.

Answer 1

Death is a huge event, and atheists have to have ways of seeking peace of mind other than believing in an afterlife. I don't believe in an afterlife, either, so I''ve had to deal with this problem, too. Here's what I did...

The crucial strategy is to get in the habit of refocusing on the beauties and joys in life, focus on relishing the awesome wonders and mysteries in the real world. The idea is, savor as much of it as you can, it will be taken from you soon enough at a future time unknown to you. If you are busy relishing life, I guarantee you will not be dwelling on death.

Not only is death an unknown future event, but death will always be unknown to you. You may experience dying, but you'll never experience death - you'll already be dead by then. So it's futile to think about something you'll never, ever experience. So why do it?

Also, when the time comes, unless it is a painful accident or illness that brings it on, you will very likely welcome the peace of death...a kind of final sleep that takes you away from the weariness you'll feel at dying. The point is, it's not necessarily a horrible event at all.

The point of laying out these thought processes is that you, as an atheist, need to come to a place in your attitude towards death that is one of acceptance...even affirmation.Everyone dies, it's a natural event and the circumstances of death will forever be unknown to you. You need to accept that. Your attitude should be to focus on living while you're alive, not dying. If you start doing that, you'll be fine.

When you do, you'll no longer obsess with thoughts about it...which are totally futile.

Answer 2

Sounds like a fear of Thonotosassa Florida?

I have a fear of Florida in general so? Too many Red Necks!

What's that called?


But I digress...

As for death... I would fear it too, if something inside me actually believed that there was nothing after death.

Even if atheism is true beyond a shadow of a doubt... Life would be a lot less meaningfull if I couldn't delude myself into believing that there was a God and an afterlife... So even if I die and find out that I was wrong and there is nothing afterward... At least I lived free of fear and death.

I chose to believe in God and therefore as a result, I do not fear death...

Either way... in the end. What happens happens. What difference does it make which side is right or wrong? We all end up in a box 6 feet under. Or worse... On someones fire place mantle next to the stuffed pet cat.

God is a choice... With a much better reward system if you ask me? Dellusional or otherwise... It works for me!

But to tell you the truth... Even if I knew before hand that it wouldn't be all that great when I got there... or nothing much at all really, I would still love God and chose to believe in Him, His son, and in the truth of His word and in His essence, The Holy Spirit.

As a choice... even without a reward system...

Answer 3

Well, since a phobia is an irrational fear, how can we offer rational advice to help?
I personally do not fear death, I see it as the next big adventure. Dying, however, I do have some fears about, I don't want a painful, or horrendous death. But death itself, no problem. I see it as a release, a transition, sort of birth in reverse. I have watched someone die of old age, I was there holding his hand. His body just shut down, it took several hours for the process, and he just looked as if he were sleeping peacefully, I saw no signs of pain or fear, his heart and breathing just steadily declined until it stopped altogether. When I go, I would rather go like that. Then I will see if there really is life after death or not.
But as for your fear, I sort of understand, I am scared to death of geting in a car, out in traffic. No amount of rationalization can stop my adrenaline glands from going into hyperdrive. So I do feel for you.

Answer 4

i was just like you...i went so many times to the hospital because of panic attacks and they gave me pills.you can buy them too,they are natural pills with herbs and you really calm down. About the thanatophobia question,i started to think like this: "I love my life i dont want to die im too young,but i cant think like that i just have to live one day at a time,i have to enjoy my live the most i can,i hope i die with 80/90 years old and look back and just think wow i loved my life!" I started to read inspirational books and they really help :) and really thinking too much about death is horrible and ruins your life i know that...but hey just enjoy life the most you can,i hope you can feel better soon!

Answer 5

I think this one can be confronted in the same way as the other phobias.
If you look at it as a automaatic thought " its the most terrible thing I know and there is no comfort around" then you better stop be a ateist.
If you start asking such questions like
is this the most terrible... and Do I need a comfort I cant get,
then the situation is different.
This is true if the source of fear is about see the problem in a another light.
And that is about psychological help=)

Answer 6

I have the same phobia and I cause myself to have panic attacks when I over think it, or see a graphic image depicting death, injury, etc.

What I do to calm myself down is to think about how long life really is, and realize that every single person that will ever exist will die. I know it sounds like it won't help, but it relaxes me and reassures me that it's not going to happen for a long long time.