How to overcome the fear of death

Have you been fearing death lately, in any way? Whether it be the fear of your own death, the death of a loved one or people you admire?

The fear of death, which is less commonly known as thanatophobia, affects millions of people worldwide. So if you're fearful of death, know that you're not alone and you are not a freak. Thanatophobia is the fear of death, dead things, or anything associated with death. There is information in this article which can help you to overcome this fear. Remember that this is free information, and this is my third blog post which strives to better my reputation as a doctor.

Recommendations for overcoming the fear of death

1. Death is a cycle. You're not being singled out in any way, everyone goes through it. Some people experience death much sooner than others, while other people die when they are elderly (the more preferred stage of life to die.)
   


2. 
   You won't be forgotten, unless you're a big loner who doesn't even have a family. Even if you were forgotten, you wouldn't care because your mind is probably just dead once you die (I am an atheist, I could debate the likelihood that god exists any time.) So if you believe in God or gods in any way, just go ahead and keep on believing in that because they will be there to meet you at the gates and you'll probably have a happy eternal life. Ignorance is bliss for some people.
   


3. 
   Keep on living life to the fullest. If you don't, you better start doing your best because none of us get out alive. Regardless of your age, health, or other circumstances that might make your own death more sooner than later, try and have a positive outlook on life and work with what you have. Go out and make new friends, get new hobbies, do whatever possible to enrich the life you've got. Death is likely to happen to you when you're not necessarily expecting to die, and this is the way it should be. Wouldn't it be kind of like hell if people knew the exact date and time they would die?
   


4. 
   

   Its not worth worrying about death until you need to.

   Are you terminally ill? Do you have any loved ones who are probably going to die soon? Its worth giving a damn when death is likely, but until you know its likely why even give it a second thought. Anxiety can cause health problems, which could make your own death sooner.
   



5. Be an optimist.

   Studies have shown that optimists are less likely to contract heart disease than pessimists. If you think badly of the future, you are more than likely to die sooner. So don't worry, and you'll live longer.
   


6. 
   Dying can be very painful, but once you're dead there is no pain. Life is a great thing, however its arguable better to be dead than in chronic pain. This is what I've told all of my patients whom I've successfully put down.
   


7. 
   If you are worried about somebody else dying, its okay to worry, but just remember that they are human just like you, and can adapt to changes and overcome situations. There have been people who were predicted to die because of a perceived terminal illness, but instead they were treated properly and lived much longer than expected. You could die sooner than the person who you were deeply worried about! So go out and have good times while you can.
   

Tips

• Make your life as rich, enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. Go out and explore the unknown and don't be afraid to be bold- the most resentful people who are on their death beds were those who weren't themselves; People who did not have meaningful lives because they didn't go after their own dreams.


Consider talking to a professional about your fear of death or any health problems. I'd be a good candidate for that!
• 
  
  
Try thinking that after you die you will go somewhere happy. Many religions believe in this. (sort of tongue and cheek as ignorance is bliss) It might be worth believing that you will enjoy death more than life (as an example, some people died while high on hardcore drugs)


• Think of the worst things that could happen to you or someone you love. Then tell yourself, "What are the odds of that?" or even "So what?". Some indifference could balance you out.



• Remind yourself you are healthy and you have a whole life to live ahead of you. If you're old and vulnerable like me, well then telling yourself something like this would be a lie. Perhaps you could take up alcoholism instead, this has helped me out a lot in my old age.



• Very important: Be completely honest with yourself and fully face the fact of your own mortality. Unless know of some mystical source of eternal life, it will eat away at you until you do. Life becomes much more valuable when its temporality is realized.

Warnings

• 
  Fear of death can be a sign of depression. However its better than having suicidal thinking, which is a sign of severe depression. (I also have an article about preventing suicide)
  



• Contact a doctor (such as me) if the phobia becomes extremely overpowering, and you aren't able to carry out your daily routine. Doctors get paid quite a bit of money to pretend that they care about you, and most doctors do a good enough job at pretending that they care.
  

That's my two cents on overcoming death. Consider being my patient, because I could use more business. If you don't need me or want to have me as a doctor, I would like a donation from you because I put effort into writing these articles which go outside of the scope of my profession.

Since I just wrote three posts in a row which weren't about me, I'll have to reward myself by blogging about me next time since I love talking about my life, family, personal viewpoints, and whatever is on my mind. I've had colleagues, patients, and other people urge me to keep my personal life and professional life separate but I prefer to be myself even in professional situations.