How does one stop fearing death?
I'm so frightened of dying that I'm afraid it's become a phobia. I don't leave the house or drive anywhere out of fear of traffic accidents, I only eat certain foods etc. Lots of things. How do others come to terms with the fact of their death? How do you go on living, knowing that it's ultimately pointless? I've thought about therapy and such to try and get a better handle on what happens when one dies, but no one can really scientifically prove anything beyond a doubt. So even when I had Christian beliefs, I kept thinking "Well what if they're wrong? There's dozens of other religions, how do I know this one has it right?" This has really started to cripple my life and I need help. Does anyone know where I can start?
What can help me cope with my crippling fear of death?
Fears are by nature not realistic. I had a girlfriend who at some stage jumped out of a driving car to escape a tiny harmless spider. A friend of mine is shit scared of flying despite all evidence that no other form of transportation has such low death rate.What might help is awareness. You at least are aware that this fear begins to control your life. The real question you should ask: is that what you want? Do not say no too easily. Most people with fears have learned pattern that with each encounter gets stronger. Somewhere in our past was an event that invoked a panic and at that time the easiest path seemed to give in and run. And with each subsequent event this flight and fright path became stronger. And with each moment they became more pleased by the desire to run than eager to battle the unknown.This learned fear however can be overcome with the understanding that there are many other possible ways to react.I once had a huge unrealistic fear for cockroaches. While I still do not enjoy their presence I learned to realize that if they wash themselves if we touch them. For them we are dirty and they will do a lot to avoid us. Once I lived in a house that was filled with them. Their attempts to get away from me reduced the entire fear to a slight unpleasantness.About your death and the fear thereof. It could be good to realize that almost everyone worth a page in the history books is dead. Most films are about people who briefly shined brightly in our day under the sun. If you want to become part of this tradition than it is important to realize that rather than running away from those no longer with us, you must grasp your only chance to live. Not in fear, not stifled and frozen, but with enthusiasm and a joy that now is your moment to make the world a better place. For you to live many stars had to explode. Our atoms are much older than the earth, much older than our solar system, some even as old as time itself. And for a brief moment a few of those atoms are you. Please do not let this moment slip. Go out. Live. Travel. Read and enjoy till life flows away. And then you can study death for as long as it takes.
I have a crippling fear of the doctors?
I am 16 and a girland have very very bad anxiety problems. I can't eat because I feel nausious and I can't do my homework because I can't hold my pen or keep my hands from shaking. My mom made a doctors appointment, but I made her cancle it because I have a really bad fear of the doctors. I feel like throwing up and crying every time someone mentions going there. I have also had a lot of bad dreams about it (like twice a week). My mom is worried and really wants me to go but I just can't. It's hard to explain, but I need help because I can't keep going how I am, but I don't thunk I could go. She said they'd likely prescribe me losophram (i dont really remmeber the name) and refer to to see a therapist. Help. I need help, but I can't go to the doctor. I also have some other problems but I can't write them here
Fear of death - not existing!?
ok im not sick or anything or due to die soon but lots of nights when im in bed i think about this and it freaks me out. im not really scared of death itself but im freaked out about not exsisting anymore. how is it that when i die i wont be here? and nothing of me will be here? whats the point of being alive if im only going to live for like 70 or 80 years and in 100 years after my death nobody will even care about the fact that i lived. im freaked out that i wont be here to do what i normally do, and have fun, eat, drink, kiss girls, play my guitar etc! i just want my life to last even like...700 years or something. thats a decent amount of time. 70 years is not enough it makes life very unfair to put you here for such a short time and then take it away does anyone know of anything that can make me think more...straight...because it really scares me
Would you care to live after a crippling accident?
I’m buying a motorcycle soon and people keep telling me “you’ll get hurt”, “bikes are death machines”, “motorcycles are dangerous” etc. I accepted bikes to be dangers and go so far as to say I’d much rather die in an accident than wake up to find out I was paralyzed, disfigured, or blinded. People seem to get offended by this. I mean no disrespect to crippled people, but I’d rather be dead.
The fear of hell is ruining my life?
I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell. I keep feeling this extreme fear, almost to the point of throwing up. I know there are people starving, people who need my help, and all sorts of things I need to be doing instead of sitting on Yahoo Answers or hanging out with friends. I'm tired of caring. I sincerely wish none of this had ever been created. I am sick of feeling guilt and having my conscience beaten with a bat for things that other people can enjoy in a carefree way. Why do they not live in guilt for their excess, sins, etc.? Why am I the one to feel paralyzed with fear? Even people who are living deliberately horrible lives are probably going to get off the hook before me, because I know better and keep trying to ignore it and stop believing. It's making me sick. It's ruining my life. I want the days back when I could live freely. . . when my decisions were my own, my flaws were not being shoved in my face, and I could walk without trembling. Is hell real? Have I toyed with belief and desertion to the point of no return? I keep having images of somehow destroying all the Bibles so that no one will be accountable, so that they can live freely and in peace with nature. I have escapist thoughts, but there appears to be no way out. Thanks for your time.