Scared of dying

[Curly13]

Every so often if I can't sleep, I start thinking about life and then I get a sudden realisation spring in to my head that one day I won't be here.
I end up having a small panic attack & get so scared & worried about dying.
Is anyone else scared of dying? and/or have these thoughts? or am I going mad?!!

[4GS]

You're not going mad, it's perfectly normal to have these thoughts

how old are you?

[tiggerblue10]

Its normal to feel this way. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night thinking the same thing. Other times I just wish I wasn't here but thats another story.

Its a fact of life that isdifficult to accept but you know its going to happen. Try and occupy your mind with other nicer things.

[Ice.Maiden]

No, you're not going mad hun, but maybe you've got some anxieties in some other area of your life? I think everyone wonders about the "end" sometimes, but then we either put it to the back of our minds, or change out thoughts to something a little more positive. We don't remember being born, so maybe when we get to the end of the line, it's something that just happens without trauma (unless we're ill). Try and think positively, and enjoy life while it's here. If you keep yourself occupied and happy, I think you're less likely to be troubled by morbid thoughts.

[meglet]

I absolutely have these thoughts and they scare the hell out of me. I can't imagine I that I won't be conscious anymore and it freaks the hell out of me. That's often why I have trouble sleeping - I think what if I don't wake up. It's not anything to do with being down or depressed, I've been thinking the same thoughts as long as I can remember.

[Curly13]

Thanks very much for your answers.
Im early thirties. Good to hear Im not the only one who has these thoughts, I just hate it when it happens!

[Theland1]

L.C. - Soon? How so?

[pips1]

I have these thoughts too, it is normal but not very nice really, can be scary.

Lung Cancer - just go away, you are SO depressing, we don't need it!

[4GS]

Mid 30's?

Yep I had the same thought about my own mortality then and I'm still here now in my mid-late 40's so no worries

[Curly13]

lol thanks 4GS :-)
I know its daft really, as tiggerblue said it's a fact of life that you're gonna die so theres no point in stressing about it really......I just can't help it sometimes.
Im not depressed, infact Im really happy with my life so I need to concentrate on that instead!
Thanks everyone x

[Buenchico]

I suggest you follow my philosophy:

I'm scared of the pain which might precede death.

I'm scared of the the suffering which might accompany the pain.

But, by definition, death is 'nothingness'. How can I be scared of nothing'?

That philosophical viewpoint only breaks down if you believe if an afterlife (which, as an atheist, I certainly don't). In which case (unless you're pessimistic enough to believe that you're heading for Hell), death is the path to Heaven, which is still nothing to worry about ;-)

Chris

[Ice.Maiden]

Good philosophy Chris!

[imhotep]

My dad died of prostate cancer in his sleep last year.It had been with him for quite a long time.He had some kind of treatment to kill off most of the cancer when he was first diagnosed with it..But, unfortunately he could only have a certain amount of treatment which got rid of 99.9 per cent of the cancer cells.Since there was only .1 per cent left in him,it slowly soon started to build up inside him once more.
It was really heartbreaking to see him get weaker and weaker last year.He ended up lying in his own bed,and died peacefully in his sleep.
If I had to go,I would love to pass away peacefully like him.
If there was a heaven,I would love to be with him.I liked my dad very much,and my mum misses him dearly.
Have to go now,as I have a tear running down my cheek,and I'm going to bed.
G'night everyone!

[4GS]

As an aside, I am an ex squaddie and before Iraq in 2003 came across this just before deployment, and asked for it to be read at my funeral if
I didn't come back.
I broke my ankle just before I was meant to go so, thankfully MRS 4GS hasn't had to endure it yet:

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

[ruthann58]

that is lovley 4gs, there is another piece about only being in the next room but i dont know it ,anybody do? as for awful thoughts we all have them its only if they take over you need to get some help from your doctor

[soozmac]

Curly, I am 33 and I get the same thing. Mild/brief panic attacks at the thought of one day just not existing. Makes me wish I believed in some kind of afterlife, but that's a whole other kettle of fish. I am glad to hear I'm not the only one. I went through a phase of it in my early 20s, and when I told my then-boyfriend, he laughed at me. There is a book which was on radio 4 a while back, called Nothing To Be Scared Of (or Afraid Of, can't remember) which, if you can hunt it down, might help.

[Jillius]

I have thoughts like this almost daily. It's even worse when you have kids. I saw agravestone in a local church that freaked me out. It said on it:

Remember me as you pass by,
As you are now so once was I
As I am now, you will be
So prepare yourself to follow me !!