Thanatophobia, how to get rid of the fear of death

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Fear of death is a natural reaction of the psyche, which underlies self-preservation. This feeling is inherent in absolutely all living beings. We value life because we understand that we are mortal. It is the fear of dying that makes a person more attentive and careful. This avoids taking unreasonable risks.

But sometimes this feeling becomes so strong that it does not help, but hinders life. In this case, it is customary to talk about a pathological condition - thanatophobia. It is based on a panicky fear of death, which arises for no reason, mainly at a young age.

A person is tormented by obsessive thoughts about inevitable death. He stops going outside because it is dangerous there. Any discomfort in the body is perceived as a symptom of a serious illness. Mentions of funerals, cemeteries, and ghosts lead to a panic attack. The meaning of life is lost, which leads to loneliness and the development of depression.

Fear of death also occurs in people who suffer from panic attacks or neuroses. This condition requires treatment from a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

General information

Thanatophobia is a condition in which a person develops anxiety caused by thoughts of death - his own or those of loved ones.
This is one of the phobias in which a person experiences irrational fear and finds it difficult to control his feelings. In contrast to the rational fear of death, caused by the fear of dying from disasters, accidents, and diseases, people with thanatophobia feel irrational anxiety, which is not supported by real grounds. At the same time, they experience a complex of unpleasant sensations that significantly interfere with normal life. Sometimes they are unable to cope with this condition, and they are forced to isolate themselves from society, quit their jobs, etc. As Wikipedia and other sources testify, fear of death is one of the reasons for the development of depression, neuroses and other mental health disorders. The signs of thanatophobia, as well as how you can improve the condition of a person with such a phobia, will be discussed in this article.

Psychologist's advice and treatment

Therapy is selected based on why a person is afraid of dying. After identifying the source of the problem, it is recommended to accept the fact that it is impossible to avoid the end of life. Death is neither bad nor good. If a person has relatives or friends, then the departed person remains in their memory forever.

The patient needs to understand that there is no second chance to live life, so it is necessary to receive maximum happiness and benefit from everything that happens. The opportunity to experience joy should not be missed. If you constantly worry about your impending death, you can miss your long life without knowing what it means to be happy.

Positive thinking has been proven to speed up the recovery process from physical illness. When the problem is psycho-emotional in nature, optimism is one of the best medicines.

Pathogenesis

If in a normal state the fear of death appears in people under certain circumstances and disappears when the danger has passed, then with thanatophobia, obsessive thoughts are disturbing, even if there are no specific stimuli. Often people with this disorder realize that they have no reason to be afraid of death, but this understanding still does not make the anxiety go away.

The emergence and development of a phobia may be a consequence of the influence of several factors. Heredity, past psychological trauma, the inability to adapt to difficult circumstances, characteristics of family upbringing, etc. can influence its development.

Classification

There is no generally accepted classification of thanatophobia. However, it can be divided into several varieties depending on the prerequisites that provoked the development of this pathology.

Biological prerequisites - phobia is caused by a predisposition of the nervous system to the manifestation of generalized reactions. Diseases, lack of sleep, congenital characteristics of the body, etc. can predispose to this.
Psychological prerequisites are associated with disturbances in the education system, in particular with increased guardianship and anxiety.
Social preconditions - associated with the wrong reaction to a variety of situations.

Causes of fear of death

There is an opinion that the fear of death is formed in childhood, but manifests itself in adulthood, when circumstances develop in a certain way. That is, if for certain reasons a child develops incorrect ideas about death, then in adulthood this can lead to the development of phobias.

An exacerbation of the fear of dying may occur when the following events occur:

disasters;
terrorist attacks;
car crashes;
tragic events related to a person (for example, he was late for a bus, which then got into an accident).

Also, a constant fear of death can develop due to the influence of such factors:

loss of loved ones, especially when they die at a young age;
constant fear of what awaits a person after death;
fear of torment, pain;
fanatical religiosity, superstition;
increased suggestibility;
a feeling of the futility of life, the frailty of existence;
loneliness, low self-esteem;
fear of losing control in a certain situation.

Thanatophobia most often develops in those who live in cities. Middle-aged men and older people are most susceptible to developing this condition.

This condition can also develop against the background of diseases: neurosis , anxiety disorders , etc.

Symptoms

Fear of death is a feeling that is associated with the instinct of self-preservation. However, thanatophobia is manifested by a number of pathological symptoms:

Obsessive thoughts about death.
Feeling of paralyzing horror at thoughts of death.
Increased suspiciousness.
Excitement.
Aggression and irritability.
Increased sensitivity, tearfulness.
Doubt about your own health.
Obsessive worry about specific problems: “I will die of a heart attack,” “I will die in an accident,” etc.
Increased reaction to conversations about funerals and death-related paraphernalia.
Sleep disorders.

In addition, along with mental disorders, somatic ones also appear. Such symptoms make the phobia worse. The following manifestations are likely:

Increased blood pressure, tachycardia .
Fainting, dizziness .
Nausea, gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Sexual life disorders.
Frequent urination.
Appetite disturbances, anorexia .
Shortness of breath , suffocation.
Weight loss.
Nightmares.
Fatigue, deterioration in performance.

In some cases, thanatophobia can manifest itself as panic attacks that develop in inappropriate places. At such a moment, it seems to a person that he is dying, and such sensations only worsen the general condition. At the same time, he is unable to fight obsessive thoughts.

Signs of approaching death

Sooner or later, a person thinks about death - of loved ones or his own. But when death is already at the doorstep, we are not always ready to meet it “fully armed.”

Anxiety caused by the proximity of death often stems from a lack of knowledge, so we recommend that you read this text. Some typical features of the dying process are described here. You may have some questions answered and hopefully you will want to seek further information and assistance. It is easier for close people to support each other in this difficult, responsible time if you know what to expect.

What changes happen to a person before death?

The process of a person’s death is unique, but there are still a number of common signs indicating that a person is dying. Any of these signs individually does not necessarily mean that death is approaching, so we must remember that in our case we are talking specifically about dying people.

There are three categories of changes in a person's condition that indicate that his life is approaching the end:

reducing the need for water and food:
changes in breathing patterns;
withdrawal into oneself.

1. Reducing the need for water and food

We all know that a patient who stops eating and drinking is unlikely to recover. Of course, this knowledge doesn’t make it any easier for loved ones. As a person weakens, it becomes simply impossible for him to drink and eat on his own. During this period, he will probably be grateful if he is fed. However, then the time comes when the desire, and even the need, to eat and drink disappears. A patient’s refusal of food and water can cause despair among his loved ones, since they closely associate feeding with caring for him. However, there are other important ways to continue care: being close, indulging in shared memories, sharing news from the lives of family and friends. Don't be discouraged if the patient responds poorly: this is most likely due to fatigue, and not because he doesn't care. Just being together - both you and the patient can find great comfort in this. The most important thing is that such communication makes the dying person feel that his life was not lived in vain, that he will be remembered.

2. Characteristic changes in breathing

People who suffer from shortness of breath often fear dying from lack of oxygen. However, the closer to death, the less active the processes in the body are: the need for oxygen is reduced to a minimum. Perhaps this will serve as a consolation for patients with breathing problems, since people who had to care for the dying have noticed that when a person dies, his breathing becomes calmer. The cause of difficulty breathing can also be fear, therefore, when someone close to the dying person, this not only serves as comfort to him, but also evens out breathing, interrupted by a feeling of anxiety.

Sometimes in the last hours of life, breathing becomes noisy, bubbling, this happens because phlegm accumulates in the patient’s chest, which he is unable to cough up. Then it is better to turn the patient over, if at all possible. Noisy breathing, however, no matter how depressing it may be for the person sitting with the patient, is unlikely to bother the dying person himself. If the big one breathes through the mouth, the lips and oral cavity dry out. This can be helped by moistening the patient's mouth with a sponge and applying moisturizer to the lips. You can use an oxygen concentrator, an oxygen pillow, and try to find a position in which it is easier for the patient to breathe.

Minutes or hours before death, breathing patterns may change again. Sometimes it becomes intermittent, with pauses between inhalations and exhalations being quite long. Sometimes pulmonary breathing is replaced by abdominal breathing, then the patient seems to breathe not with the lungs, but with the stomach. Remember: if breathing is difficult, then he probably suffers less from it than the one who observes it. Shortly before death, the patient's skin turns pale, sweats and becomes slightly cold. Most dying people pass away quietly and calmly, without waking up.

3. Withdrawal

“Disconnecting from life” is a delicate process that occurs gradually. The closer to the end, the more time a person spends sleeping, and when he does not sleep, he feels drowsy. This apparent lack of interest in the world around us is part of the natural dying process, which may even be accompanied by a feeling of peace (of course, there is nothing offensive about this in relation to relatives). Finally, a person can fall into unconsciousness and remain in this state for any length of time—sometimes for whole days.

It's hard to cope with the death of a loved one, because you lose someone you loved. Sometimes you don’t know what to say to each other at such moments. Doctors and nurses at the hospice will help you overcome your grief, provide attention and support.

You will find more useful information about caring for a seriously ill person on the portal “About palliative care” .

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Tests and diagnostics

To confirm the diagnosis of thanatophobia and the disorders that accompany it, you need to contact a professional psychiatrist. The doctor conducts a detailed conversation with the patient and asks clarifying questions.

During the diagnostic process, various questionnaires can be used to determine personality traits and types of fears.

Sometimes there is a need to consult with other specialists - a cardiologist, a therapist, etc. In turn, they may prescribe additional examinations.

Modern methods of treatment

You can overcome your phobias only by recognizing the existence of a problem and seeking help from specialists - a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
The basis of treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, other types of psychotherapy, and the use of hypnosis. In the early stages, you can cope on your own under the guidance of a professional; in later stages, you need the constant help of a doctor.

You can also additionally use:

communication with loved ones, conversations;
physical activity, staying in the fresh air;
proper nutrition without psychostimulants;
rejection of bad habits.

Prevention

In order to prevent the condition from worsening when the fear of death manifests itself, it is necessary to follow some rules of prevention.

Communicate with positive people who know how to inspire.
Avoid negative information: crime news, disaster films, etc.
Practice activities that help distract you from negativity, as well as read inspiring books.
Communicate more with loved ones, family, friends.
Eat properly.
Play sports, walk a lot.

Diet

Diet for the nervous system

Efficacy: therapeutic effect after 2 months
Timing: constantly
Cost of food: 1700-1800 rubles per week

It is recommended to consume foods that have a positive effect on the nervous system:

Legumes, vegetables, greens.
Fish and seafood.
Cellulose.
Fruits.
Nuts, seeds.
Olive and linseed oil.
Dairy products.
Lean meat.

The following products should be minimized:

Sweets, baked goods, baked goods.
Fat meat.
Fried foods.
It is recommended to minimize salt and foods high in salt.
Alcohol.

Consequences and complications

People suffering from thanatophobia often experience negative emotions. Due to constant anxiety, it is sometimes difficult for them to perform everyday tasks, work, and communicate with people. This condition significantly worsens the overall quality of life.

In severe cases, the patient may not leave the house for a long time and stop most contacts with people.

An obsessive state can lead to the development of other mental disorders.

Constantly being under stress also negatively affects the functions of the immune system.

Another risk is the desire to relieve anxiety by drinking alcohol or taking drugs. As a result, the patient may become dependent on them.

The danger of thanatophobia

Like any phobia, thanatophobia not only brings negative emotions to a person, but also actively prevents him from living, that is, from carrying out his professional activities, interacting with his family, studying, etc. The most common manifestation of thanatophobia is the so-called “avoidant behavior.” Avoidance behavior is a defense mechanism that a person can use to minimize intrusive fear. For example, if a person’s fear of death is caused by books and films in which the main character (or anyone else) dies, then the sick person will try not to watch or read anything like that. Or, for example, a person may discover that he experiences the strongest fear of death in the subway or in personal vehicles, then he may stop using them. Obviously, this strategy may only make sense in the short term (such avoidance can help the patient avoid causing himself unnecessary stress while waiting for treatment), but in the long term, such behavior will harm the person’s quality of life, increasing his stress and, as a result, worsening his mental state. Medical practice knows cases where people, due to obsessive fear, did not leave the house for years, derailing their lives and only worsening their condition.

Another important factor in thanatophobia, which again makes it similar to other types of phobias, is that thanatophobia increases the stress a person experiences, which negatively affects his ability to carry out his daily tasks, and also reduces immunity. Thanatophobia at the time of an acute attack leads to the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine into the blood, which can cause sleep disturbances and also cause a blow to the cardiovascular system if the person has had certain heart problems. As you might guess, sleep disturbances and decreased immunity are something that can in the future lead not only to the development of other diseases (including infectious ones), but also, as a consequence, to even more stress due to these new diseases. Thus, the stress caused by thanatophobia can cause enormous damage to a person’s health in the long term and, alas, even become an indirect cause of his untimely death.

Finally, it is necessary to mention that when fears of this kind appear, many people may have a desire to suppress it with the help of drugs, through self-medication with sedatives, as well as through all kinds of entertainment. As medical practice shows, all these usual ways of dealing with stress do not work in the case of thanatophobia, and its symptoms return as soon as the distractions end. To effectively treat thanatophobia, you must consult a doctor.