Everytime I try and sleep, I end up thinking about death.

I haven't really spoken to anyone about this because during the day it's not an issue - I can think about death and feel uneasy about it, but that's it. But when I'm trying to get to sleep my mind runs away with me and I feel pannick in my chest and can't just lie there when I know it's going to happen.

I've come to the conclusion that after death you cease to exist.

But I'm terrified that death will feel like a blackout - when you can't see or hear anything but blackness but are aware it's happening, and you're powerless to it.

Sometimes I think about people I know who are now dead and wonder what it feels like for them.

I look at my hand and imagine how it's going to be rotten in about 100 years time.

If I think of being burnt instead, I pannick at the idea of NONE of me existing anymore.

I'm feeling that pannick now. I try and tell myself that I can forget about it, but it's the only thing that is inevitable. I can't focus when the though it there.

I'm TERRIFIED.

I've even decided I'm not going to have children just because I can't bear the thought of creating more life so that it will have to worry about dying, like I am.

Please, can anyone put my mind at rest?

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Reply 1

kyletms

whoa

i share the view that once you're dead you're gone, but i like to think of it as a way of appreciating life more.

you dont feel remorse for not exisisting 500 years ago, so why should you feel it for not existing once you're dead?

...do you happen to be stoned btw?

Reply 2

she

don't worry, I think a lot of people must feel like this from time to time. At least I do. But if it's really affecting you you coudl try and speak to a counsellor?

religion?

As the person above says, if this is occuring over a long period of time and is affecting your life (i.e. not getting enough sleep, etc.) then you really should consider speaking to a counsellor about it.

Try to imagine that death is a natural thing and that if people didn't die then it would be practically impossible for anyone else to enjoy the benefits of life - because if we kept breeding then the place would just be overpopulated!! Or there are various religious beliefs you could look into - reincarnation, heaven, another life, etc. if you were so inclined to do so. Even if you didn't believe in the whole religion, it might put your mind to rest to think that maybe one of these other ways of existing after death did happen.

But otherwise, see a specialist about it because it will only get worse if you keep dwelling on it :frown:

Reply 5

Krystal

I went through that phase. It was scary actually because it wasnt my death it was of everybody around me. You genuinely seem frightened by death but only at night- Im thinking influence of some event in your life recently. I would try listening to music while going to bed. OR read a book. It will get you sleepy and your mind will get off the whole death thing. Im thinking your developing a phobia- if it gets worse, see someone. IF you want to get it out of your system, i would consider taking up art.

Reply 6

graveyarddreams

I use to feel like that often. I still do, don't think there's been a day where i haven't thought about death at all. Wheather it's in a depressed state or a happier one. I'm to a certain extent, religious. I believe in something after death. But I still feel the strangeness when i think about how one day i will cease to exist in this world, my body will rot and become part of something else etc etc. I guess like all things, it will pass. If not then you'll get used to it. Whichever way, you're not alone.

Reply 7

ohyeahoh

I feel exactly like this.
The fact that someone else does..makes me feel less of a freak.
Cheers :smile:

xxx

Reply 8

devilsthorn

I usually dream of having some sort of martial arts fight with someone, combat to the death. Then I would wake up and start hitting the air or kicking a pillow, lol.

Reply 9

devilsthorn

Mikemaria

Jesus will take care of you when you die. I believe in Jesus so death has no fear in me whatsoever.Of course , you must pray to Him in order to recieve His salvation.

Jesus is just a guy who fooled the world in believing there's a God. I too believe a Jesus once existed. He wrote a bible and made fools believe every word in it. What a scam it is.

Reply 10

Ariadne

devilsthorn: calm down, everyone has different beliefs. Just because you don't agree with it doesn't mean that you have the right to attack it.

OP: a friend of mine used to get panic attacks at night because she was so scared of the dark. She got over it by listening to audiobooks at night - by listening to the story she wasn't thinking about what could be hiding in the shadows, and the narrator often made her sleepier anyway! So, I'd suggest trying that.

Reply 11

punktopia

I've had that from time to time, but being something of an agnostic I have just enough hope to get by. Thinking about different things helps a lot, or focussing on something you're looking forward to in the immediate future, or a happy memory.
Another way to deal with it is writing poetry/short stories/songs, projecting your fear of death outwards.

Reply 12

Rutter knows best!

as nas once said "sleep is the cousin of death"

Reply 13

Sparkly-student

I try to think of it in the way of: do you really want to still be here in 500 years time? would it not be more frightening to live for ever and ever with no idea of what was going to happen to the world? I would rather live as if there is no tomorrow and cram my days with experiences and happiness :smile:

I do understand how you feel, it is terrifying, yet there is no way out of it so the best thing to do is try to accept it and carry on enjoying and living every moment that you are here!! In all fairness there may be something afterwards....but if there isn't then the chances are you will not know very much about it, and that cant really be all that scary- it's worse for those who you leave behind!

Reply 14

dumbdunc

I used to feel exactly like this. Only it was more terrifying because I had a bad experience when I was nine and ended up in a coma. Before that I had a few seconds of terrible realisation that I was going to die (or so I thought). Then I had recurring nightmares and never being able to get the idea of death out of my head. I started skipping school and got pretty depressed as well. I went to a counsellor and that didn't really help me but then (and I'm sure this isn't for everyone!) I started to go to church. Having the belief that there IS something after death reassured me. It meant I wasn't scared of it any more and I've come to terms with the fact its inevitable.

Now I'm happy to live for the moment. I like to think that (although I hope it doesn't happen!) if I died tonight I'd be happy with the seventeen years I've had. As it is the odds on me having more than six months when I was born were fairly slim so you know, that's not too bad!

Reply 15

Fluent in Lies

Death is nothing to us, since when we are, death has not come, and when death has come, we are not

I don't fear death, I fear dying.

Reply 16

*Tears and Butterflies*

Anonymous

I haven't really spoken to anyone about this because during the day it's not an issue - I can think about death and feel uneasy about it, but that's it. But when I'm trying to get to sleep my mind runs away with me and I feel pannick in my chest and can't just lie there when I know it's going to happen.

Sometimes I think about people I know who are now dead and wonder what it feels like for them.

I look at my hand and imagine how it's going to be rotten in about 100 years time.

If I think of being burnt instead, I pannick at the idea of NONE of me existing anymore.

I'm feeling that pannick now. I try and tell myself that I can forget about it, but it's the only thing that is inevitable. I can't focus when the though it there.

I'm TERRIFIED.

I've even decided I'm not going to have children just because I can't bear the thought of creating more life so that it will have to worry about dying, like I am.

Please, can anyone put my mind at rest?

I sometimes feel exactly how you did in this post.I t tends to be when I'm feeling a bit depressed. I don't know what advice to give to be honest becasue i just stopped thinking about it when i was happier, but when you do it is horrible. I had a panick attack, started crying had difficulty breathing, and couldn't look at myself becasue I'd be imagining me dead/rotting. I never did anything about it but I suggest if it doesn't go away maybe go and speak to a counsellor about it.

Your not alone though. :smile:

Reply 17

Spookykid17

I feel the same exact way , completely, like exactly the way you described it. I don't know how to help it but it helps me to know I'm not the only one feeling this way.

Reply 18

Jesserolandallan

I'm literally typing this because I was just feeling that way. It's been a few months since I have. I have a lot going for me. A lot of good things. When I think about death it kinda makes me think 'is there any point to all these things'. Probably not. The sun will engulf the planet one day. Maybe this is a simulation. I dont know. Thinking of not existing is terrifying but if I spend all my time thinking about it then I'm living for my death. Why not live while you're alive and when you die... Die. -TRSTY

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 19

watershower

I’ve read the above, I’m going to compile everyone’s advice.

- Distract yourself before going to sleep. Read a book (maybe an audiobook), fall asleep whilst listening to music, watch a show before going to bed.
- Art therapy
- Think about the opposite: would you rather live forever?
- Perhaps take up some beliefs in the afterlife and research into this. You don’t have to believe in the whole religion but maybe just the afterlife aspect. Examples: Reincarnation, Heaven/Hell..
- If it getting too much, seek a counsellor

It is not uncommon to think that way, and I think everyone ends up thinking about death at some point. I believe in reincarnation and the afterlife. It reassures me because I like to believe this life isn’t for nothing, and if it goes wrong, my soul will pass on. If the sun will die and the universe will collapse someday, I like to think we are all having fun (or repenting) someday after we all complete our purpose!