Scared of dying

The fear of dying -- or more accurately, the fear of not existing -- is very widespread. Most intelligent people have this concern. We know that we are doomed to die eventually but carry on as though we will live forever. It's known as denial. The fear then goes underground, so to speak, and lurks as anxiety, occasionally spurting out to upset us with sometimes terrifying physical and mental symptoms.

Some people find a satisfying solution to this existential anxiety through religion. They accept a faith, which provides them with answers about life and what happens after death. This then quells the anxiety.

Another kind of anxiety is situational. This is the type of anxiety that can be traced to a particular event or experience. For instance, being trapped in an elevator and thereafter being scared to enter an elevator. Such anxiety might remain connected only to uneasiness around elevators or it might spread to other things such as tall buildings.

Situational anxiety can also arise from an inner conflict (the most common is mixed feelings towards one's parents and feeling bad about the anger, rage or resentment part). A panic attack may be a signal that there is an emotional/psychological conflict within you that you are not facing.

Since your doctors have ruled out any biological cause for your anxiety the good news is that your fear of dying and your panic attack can be treated through well-established therapies. Behavior therapy, hypnotherapy, rational-emotive therapy, traditional psychotherapy and the newer "energy" therapies, all have good track records in helping people overcome anxiety.

In the meantime, slow deep breathing (and I mean *really* slow) will help quell the anxiety. As will exercise, cuddling a pet, and developing solid friendships.

Dr. Knight