Scared that I am going to die?

[Derek52299]

I know this is probably very weird, but I am 16 years old, in high school, and death seems to always be on my mind. I know that should be the LAST thing I am thinking about right now!

I wasn't always this way, I think this started a little after I was recovering from my anxiety. It just feels like death is always around me and every little thing that feels wrong with me, I always relate to something serious. I was having tightness in my lower throat for a bit, went to the doctor they said everything looks good but they might point out a few things. I am creating these symptoms, even though they probably mean nothing.

Just tonight I got this weird feeling, almost like an outer body experience, like I was losing it and I went in the shower and prayed and tried to take deep breaths and calm myself down. I really do think I need help, I think these may be small panic attacks that I am having...

My girlfriend tries to calm me down and tell me everything is alright but I can't shake this feeling of DEATH. I need to see a therapist but I need to know, am I crazy? What are some techniques I can use?? And does anyone else suffer from this? Any answer would be appreciated.

[LilacLotus]

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this! High school is hard enough without having death anxiety mixed in like this.
It sounds to me like you have less death anxiety and more of a phobia of death- thanatophobia. The thing about thanatophobia that makes it different from other phobias is that it's healthy to have in small doses, so you never want to make it go away entirely, just calm it down enough so that you can live your life without constant fear.
Phobias are easiest to conquer when you know the root of them- the why. Why are you afraid of dying?
Finding this can help you rationalize your fear, and hopefully overcome it.
Some other things you can do is talk to people who are close to you about it (ie- your girlfriend), talk to a therapist, or join a group therapy session.
Hopefully this helps some! Let me know if this doesn't help, if you need more info, or you can even just check in with how things are going.