Fear of death & how to overcome it

According to psychology, losing a child is the most stressful event in life anyone can experience.

What I saw from my experience and from the experience of bereaved person who surround me is that this trauma can trigger the fear of death. 

It's normal that everyone fears death due to the unknown, but for thanatophobia is is different.

As said, it is normal for humans to fear death due to the uknown, but there are more factors related to this phobia. 

For example, people with thanatophobia claim that they also experience the fear of losing control.
Fear of non-existence is present as well because we aren't capable to imagine how that feels like.

For others, pain and suffering are the main reasons for exaggerated fear of death. 
Leaving loved ones behind to go through the grieving process appears in minds of those who have excessive fear of death as well.

What happens when you have thanatophobia and don't try to help yourself? With time, the fear can become even bigger, leading to issues such as:

*Chronic anxiety or panic attacks
*Avoidance of discussions or topics related to death
*Obsessive thoughts about mortality
*Depression or hopelessness...

Is there a solution for this phobia? It is very important to at least try to create some healthy coping mechanisms. This can be hard for parents who have lost their precious child but there are some things that are helpful:

1. Accepting death - no matter how this sounds. As hard as it may sound, we all know that death is an inevitable cycle of existence. By recognizing that all living things experience this transition, we can begin to accept it as a part of life rather than something to be feared.

2. Living in the present moment. Appreciating every single moment of our life and trying to live in the present is a must and very helpful mechanism for thanatophobia. 
Techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and gratitude can reduce anxiety and promote inner peace.

3. Find your own spiritual and philosophical beliefs you can turn to when needed. In the darkest moments, these can truly help you. Think about how you imagine afterlife, if you imagine it at all. 
Some claim that they have found peace in philosophy.

4. Talk about it - with others.

Don't try to escape topics related to death and open up to others. You will understand that they too have fear of it, and could be able to provide support and comfort when needed. 
 

5. Live fully - as much as you can. Create something that lasts and has a special meaning to you - like a piece of art. This can help you create a fulfilling life & moments of pure joy.

+ Don't be afraid to seek professional help if needed. 
Fear becoming overwhelming and interupting with your daily activities? A professional help should be your option as well. For example, some sorts of therapies like CBT showed great results for thanathofobia. 

For bereaved parents, read more about the best and most effective types of therapy for trauma.