I have an unusual fear of dying.
I can’t sleep at night because of the fear that someone might die….
Maybe you are a Thanatophobe.
But don’t worry. There are many people who have overcome their thanatophobia and are living happily.
Here, we would like to introduce some stories of courageous people who overcame their tanatophobia.
We are sure they will give you hope.
INDEX
- What is Thanatophobia? From understanding it correctly
- Thanatophobia can cause these problems
- Stories of people who overcame tanatophobia
- EX.1: A man in his 40s who continued to practice yoga and meditation
- EX.2: A woman in her 30s who faced her anxiety through counseling
- EX.3: A woman in her 20s who started attending memorial services for the deceased
- EX.4: A woman in her 50s who expressed her anxiety by drawing pictures
- EX.5: Man in his 60s saved by a philosophy book
- Testimonial 6: Woman in her 20s who had good contact with animals
- Testimonial 7: A man in his 30s who used a meditation app to calm his mind
- Testimonial 8: A woman in her 40s who was exposed to new values through travel
- Thanatophobia can always be overcome.
- Summary
What is Thanatophobia? From understanding it correctly
Thanatophobia is a term that refers to an abnormal fear of death and dying.
Everyone is more or less afraid of death, but in the case of thanatophobia, the fear is so strong that it interferes with daily life.
Common symptoms are,
- Anxious thinking about what would happen if he or she died
- Extreme avoidance of topics related to death
- Fear of funerals, bone deliverance, and the dead body
The following are some of the most common symptoms.
Some people become withdrawn or have panic attacks due to fear of death.
If left untreated, the condition can be physically and emotionally painful.
Thanatophobia can cause these problems
Thanatophobia affects not only the individual, but also the relationships of those around them.
- Fear of parting with loved ones and spending more time alone.
- Conversations stop on the topic of death, and friendships become strained.
- Panic attacks due to fear, making it impossible to leave the house
- Constant anxiety leads to loss of appetite and insomnia
It is really painful to be trapped in the fear of death and lose your precious daily life.
[Self-Check] Do you think you may be a Thanatophobe?
Now, let’s apply this to yourself for a moment.
- I’m worried about losing my loved ones.
- I can’t bear to see cemeteries, funerals, or bodies
- You are afraid of dying on a daily basis.
- I get palpitations and tremors when I think about death
What do you think?
If even one of the above applies to you, you may have tanatophobia.
But do not lose hope. There is always a way to overcome it.
Stories of people who overcame tanatophobia
How did people who overcame tanatophobia get rid of their anxiety?
Here are some of their stories.
EX.1: A man in his 40s who continued to practice yoga and meditation
Living in a stressful society, my fear of death grew and grew.
In my case, I believe I was able to overcome it, in part, by discovering yoga and meditation.
The habit of learning breathing exercises and calming my mind has eased my anxiety and I will continue to do so.
EX.2: A woman in her 30s who faced her anxiety through counseling
I had a strong fear of dying and it was hard every day….
But after talking to a counselor, I was able to face my anxiety little by little.
Death comes to everyone equally. But after I realized that it is important to live life to the fullest in the present, I feel a little better.
It may be difficult to find a counselor that suits you, but for now, I think it is a good idea to check out a nearby counseling center that seems to have a good reputation.
EX.3: A woman in her 20s who started attending memorial services for the deceased
I developed tanatophobia after the death of my grandfather.
I was afraid to even look at the remains, let alone go to the funeral.
However, I met people with the same problem at a bereaved family’s group, and gradually I was able to participate in a memorial service for the deceased.
It is a little reassuring to have friends with whom you can share your grief.
EX.4: A woman in her 50s who expressed her anxiety by drawing pictures
When I had reached the end of my child-rearing years, I suddenly began to have a fear of death.
While attending counseling, I tried to express my anxiety by painting pictures.
I could freely express feelings that I could not put into words by drawing.
I felt that my heart gradually became lighter.
EX.5: Man in his 60s saved by a philosophy book
After retirement, I became vaguely anxious about the future of my life, and my fear of death grew.
At that time, I came across a book called The Strongest Introduction to Philosophy Ever.
Although it is classified as a philosophy book, you can read the essence of a total of 31 philosophers as smoothly as if you were reading a battle manga.
Please read it once, even if you just browse through it.
I believe it will change the way you think about death and your outlook on life.
I strongly recommend this book to those who are suffering from tanatophobia like me.
Testimonial 6: Woman in her 20s who had good contact with animals
I had been suffering from tanatophobia since I was a student and had a strained relationship with people.
One day, I started volunteering at a shelter cat cafe.
It was so refreshing and warm to be in contact with living things.
**Spending time with the animals made me realize the preciousness of life.
I think I became more aware of the importance of life rather than the fear of death.
Testimonial 7: A man in his 30s who used a meditation app to calm his mind
Due to stress at work, I began to have obsessive thoughts that I might die at any moment, and there were many days when I could not sleep.
That’s when I came across a smartphone meditation app.
I continued to meditate by following the guide to calm my mind before going to bed, and I was able to sleep more peacefully than before. I realize the importance of regulating my breathing.
Meditopia for Android
Meditopia for iPhone
Testimonial 8: A woman in her 40s who was exposed to new values through travel
The shock of losing my beloved family made my fear of death grow stronger and stronger.
I wanted to do something while I was still alive, so I set out on a solo trip.
I met people with various values in unfamiliar places and received a lot of stimulation.
It was a trip that made me realize that living life to the fullest in the present is more important than the fear of death.
Thanatophobia can always be overcome.
Find your own way!
I am sure that there are many other people suffering from tanatophobia.
But remember, there is always a way to overcome it.
Find a way to overcome it that works for you.
You can consult an expert or try yoga or meditation.
Attending a memorial service for the deceased and interacting with like-minded people may also provide emotional support.
The important thing is not to be too preoccupied with the preconceived notion that death is something to be feared.
Cherish the present moment as an irreplaceable time to live.
When you can have such a feeling, the day will come when you will be free from thanatophobia.
Summary
- Thanatophobia is an abnormal fear of death. If not overcome, it interferes with daily life.
- There are different ways to overcome it, such as counseling, yoga, meditation, and joining a bereavement group.
Let’s find a solution that suits you by referring to those who have overcome the fear. - First of all, get away from the preconceived notion that “death is scary” and live in the present moment.
- The first step to overcoming this problem is to have the courage to talk to someone about it, and not to keep it to yourself.
If you understand and deal with tanatophobia properly, you will overcome it.
We hope you will find your own way to overcome it and one day you will be free from anxiety.
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