Fear of Death
Causes and Symptoms of Thanatophobia
It can be difficult to contemplate the ending of life. The physical body that has housed a human being's every move one day will shut down. Brains will cease to function and hearts will stop pumping. For some people, thoughts of death are fleeting. For others, an overwhelming fear of life’s end can send them into a tailspin.
According to www.phobia-fear-release.com, symptoms of thanatophobia include "breathlessness, dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, dry mouth, feeling sick, shaking, heart palpitations, inability to speak or think clearly…becoming mad or losing control, a sensation of detachment from reality or a full blown anxiety attack." Thanatophobia can perpetually paralyze someone to the point where it becomes difficult to engage in normal daily activities with pleasure.
It is essential to understand the basis of thanatophobia. First, what are some different beliefs about death?
- Those of the Judeo-Christian mindset may believe in Heaven and Hell, depending upon a judgement or review of life. In this case, fear of death may be related to a fear of how one will be received at life’s end.
- Those who believe in reincarnation may fear death from fear of their own karma, and how it will pan out in their next life. Or one may fear losing life on this physical plane, with the family and lifestyle one has grown accustomed to.
- Those who believe that we become spirits, ghosts, or energy may be afraid of death from fear of moving on and becoming something altogether different.
- Many believe that death is the complete and absolute end. This may be one of the deeper causes of thanatophobia, if one believes that this life is the only chance one gets, and it can end at any moment.
- Lastly, thanatophobia may rise out of the fear of not knowing when one’s particular ending will come. Fear of uncertainty can be debilitating.
If thanatophobia consumes a person's thoughts and makes it difficult to sleep, eat, or participate in normal activities of daily living, they should seek help through a family physician or counselor immediately. It can also help to seek spiritual guidance from a priest, rabbi, shaman, or other such person. Just talking about these fears can help alleviate them. Learning about different cultural beliefs about life after death can decrease fears and help people to believe that death is truly a "passing," a "moving on" from one plane to another. If a person can learn to contemplate death without becoming thanatophobic, they may realize that these thoughts mentally and spiritually strengthen our belief systems.
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