Fear of Death/Nightmares

[Miss_MaL]

Hi my name is Mallory and I am 21.  I am having severe problems with the fear of death/dying, I think about it all day everyday and it prevents me from living my life.  I have also woke up 6 times in the past 2 weeks screaming a loud siren like noise because of death dreams.  My fiance has to cover my mouth and wake me up and when I wake up from the dream i am so scared my skin feels like it is crawling.  I need help I don't know why I am waking up screaming and I dont know how to come to peace with death.  Any advice?

[MrGreen]

You have lived this long. Even though you fear death today, you will still be alive come the end of the night. Now that is something we have to stop and take a look at. How long you have had this fear. How many days and nights it has plagued you. But you are still alive. Loical thinking is what you need. Have you any reason why you think you will die today? Have you any reason why you think tomorrow might see you die? The answer in each case will be no. But accepting this is the hard part for you. But look at your life and what it is doing to it. It is crippling it on you. Yes death will come some day. Of that we have no choice. That is something we all have to accept. But I see no reason for my impending death tonight. I am viewing my situation in a logical way. You have to try and view things in a similar sort of way. Before you begin each day write down any thoughts you have as to why you think you will die that day. Then read them back. Ask yourself is there really such a chance of these things happening. Your mind will begin to view things in a different sort of way. The more you accept the reasons are not logical. It will take time. But you have plenty of time left. Trust me on that one.

[crystalhanzelka]

I struggle with this almost daily.  I have not been able to live my life...but I am trying so hard to get back to "normal".  It is a fact of life...scary one though.....

[cj29]

I think many of us deal with this sort of anxiety at one time or another in life.  I had a HUGE fear of dying for awhile until I just had to accept the fact that it happens to all of us.  It is one of the great equalizers that bonds us together as humans.

So, whether you are or not a person of faith, living life to the fullest is very important while we are here.  When I was going through this fear, I ended up talking with my preist and a therapist about it...I looked at it from a theoligical standpoint and from a practical standpoint as well.  All I can really stress is...don't be so afraid of dying that you are afraid to live.  I know that sounds a little cliche but I have tried to live by this mantra for awhile now.  Be patient and remember that every person on this planet grapples with this at some point in their lives...keep us posted!