Most often, thanatophobia occurs after losing a loved one because loss reminds us of our own mortality. The idea of a long, debilitating illness that causes pain and makes us lose our dignity.However, if death is constantly on your mind, and death anxiety is affecting your everyday life, to the point where you experience physical symptoms and feel overwhelmed by it, that could be a sign you need Why am I afraid of death?Īlthough it may sound relatively straightforward, fear of death is actually one of the most complex phobias because it’s often not the death itself that scares us, but certain aspects of it: To a certain degree, “normal” fear of death can be a good thing because it makes us more cautious, helps us cherish meaningful experiences, and evaluate the values that guide us.Ĭontemplating your own mortality and wondering what happens when you die is not abnormal, and if the thought of it makes you a bit uncomfortable, you shouldn’t be worried. For example, in many religions, the concept of life after death is tied to punishment, so many people fear that they will suffer the consequences of their mistakes.Īccording to one study, 20% of people are afraid or very afraid of dying, making thanatophobia one of the most common fears. Is it normal to be afraid of death?įear of death is entirely normal and, quite often, it is tied to a person’s religious beliefs. But when the fear of dying becomes so intense that it starts to interfere with daily life and it eclipses all other thoughts, that may be a sign of death anxiety, or thanatophobia. And yet, not even the most accomplished human beings can’t help but to fear death sometimes - it’s an inevitable part of our nature, and it’s perhaps the only thing we have in common, regardless of race, gender, and religion.ĭeath is the biggest unknown, and the idea of being confronted with our own mortality can sometimes keep us up at night. Over the centuries, thousands of writers, artists, philosophers, and religious leaders have said that we shouldn’t be afraid of dying and that we should instead endeavour to make the most out of the time we have here on Earth. It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live – Marcus Aurelius

Pathological fear or dread