Thanatophobia - Fear of Dying

Thanatophobia or fear of dying is common to all but we generally avoid admitting it. However when this fear increases abnormally then it becomes a phobia and starts effecting the life of the sufferer.

What is a Phobia?

It is generally believed that phobias arise from a combination of external events and internal predispositions. There are many specific phobias that can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age. However social phobias and agoraphobia have more complex causes that are not entirely known at this time and there are only speculations about it. It is believed that heredity, genetics and brain chemistry combine with life-experiences to play a major role in the development of phobias. It gives rise to panic attacks with symptoms including shortness of breath, dry mouth, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat and sweating. One constantly feels unwell together with a fear of dying. It can be concluded that one has an overall feeling of dread like one has a terminal illness and fear of the unknown. This fear ruins the quality of life. One is unable to enjoy the moments he or she lives because of the constant feel that each minute passing away is reducing the life span bit by bit.

Thanatophobia – Causes and Treatment

Hypnotherapy can treat Thanatophobia as the fear of death most commonly develops from a childhood fear. When a traumatic incident is witnessed in the childhood or experienced when young remains in the sub conscious and develops as a phobia. Regression therapy allows a person to remember that particular event and review it which then allows interpreting the event correctly and it will no longer be an issue anymore. Medicine can be prescribed, but only with proper consultation with the doctor as these medications can have side effects that can be severe. It is also importation to note that medicines do not cure phobias and only at best helps in temporarily suppressing the systems. However, the treatments for phobias, includes counseling, hypnotherapy, and psychotherapy.

Most people would agree that fear of death is the "fear of the unknown." And it is quite natural to expect the unexpected since we have never actually experienced death and only god knows what is it that waits for us on the other side? The loss of self and ceasing to exist is a terrifying thing to imagine and if this is all there is to our existence. Ultimately one must pass through death alone as it is the final destination. We might fear leaving our loved ones behind. Worry about how they will manage emotionally and financially as well as living out their lives without us generates a lot of insecurity. We can find comfort in religion and a strong belief in the afterlife. Studies show that deeply religious people fear death the least while the more skeptical are the ones haunted by the death fear the most. For atheists there is nothing to worry at all for obvious reasons. Studies also show that the fear of dying seems to lessen as we age because we start to accept the facts of life.

Thanatophobia – Moving On…

People are born, people die and more people are born. This has been going on from the beginning and will go on. Do not feel that you are being called out and that you have to fear it. The honest truth is that everyone will die at some point, sooner or later including you and me. However life will continue after you and me as it has since millions of years. The energy will continue, your work, the memories you left behind will never disappear. Even though people are constantly fading, the memories they leave behind do not, and they stay in the hearts of those they loved. Do not feel like as soon as you die, you will disappear into oblivion, be an optimist as they are less likely to contract heart disease than pessimists.

No one knows what happens after death. If there really is a soul there is nothing to fear and if there is no soul then no point thinking about death, it is an eventuality that will come to pass. This moment is what is most precious and why loosing it fearing about something which nobody knows happen when.