If you haven’t come across the term thanatophobia before, you’re not alone. Thanatophobia is a very specific type of phobia which is not often talked about, despite the fact that it can cause extreme anxiety and have a huge impact on the sufferer’s day-to-day life.
What is thanatophobia?
Thanatophobia is an anxiety disorder centred around an intense fear of death or the process of dying. It is also referred to as ‘death anxiety.’ Many of us may worry about dying at some point in our lives, but thanatophobia is different. The anxiety caused by thanatophobia can be so extreme that it can lead to panic attacks and have a huge impact on a person’s emotional wellbeing, negatively impacting their daily life.
Who is it most likely to affect?
Individuals of all ages and backgrounds can suffer from thanatophobia, although there is some evidence to suggest that it may be more likely to affect individuals who have gone through a traumatic event, those who have specific personality traits and genetics, or individuals who wrestle with existential questions. The exact number of people affected by thanatophobia can vary, and of course not everyone experiencing the condition will seek treatment, but thanatophobia is thought to impact a significant portion of the population.
Is thanatophobia on the rise?
Recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as political events and natural disasters, have likely raised awareness of our own mortality, potentially triggering feelings of vulnerability and heightening our fear of death and dying. Living through lockdown was an extremely traumatic time for many of us and it’s easy to understand how experiencing a global pandemic could serve to exacerbate existing fears about death.
Information about anxiety disorders is now far more readily available online and via social media. This enables people to do their own research to seek out support and coping techniques, which goes some way towards explaining why the term ‘how to deal with the fear of dying’ is appearing more frequently in our internet searches.
Thankfully, we live in a world where there’s now greater awareness and less stigma surrounding mental health issues and this has, in all likelihood, meant that more people are now seeking help for anxiety-related concerns, when this may not have always been the case historically.
What coping strategies can help with thanatophobia?
There are a number of coping strategies available for people suffering from thanatophobia that can be of benefit. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques can be extremely useful to help people challenge and identify negative thought patterns surrounding death and dying.
Physiological symptoms of anxiety can also be reduced using techniques such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises, which can help promote awareness of being in the present moment.
Emotional reassurance can also be provided for people suffering from thanatophobia if they have a good support network of friends and family around them, or attend local support groups. This can help with providing a validation of feelings and a general sense of support for sufferers, whilst a sense of purpose and fulfilment can be built by engaging in meaningful activities and setting personal goals, which can go a long way towards mitigating existential distress. In addition, a more balanced perspective can be developed and avoidance behaviours decreased through the use of psychoeducation centred around death and dying.
Don’t suffer in silence
If you are experiencing thanatophobia, it is important to understand that you are not alone. Thanatophobia is something experienced by many people and there is help and support available to help you tackle it. Visiting a health professional is often the first step in starting treatment and you may want to visit your GP to get the ball rolling. Talking with a professional about your worries can help to prevent overwhelm and enable you to feel more in control of your fears. If you would like further help, please do get in touch with me today, I’d love to hear from you.
