Death foretold

Death foretold

QUESTION:

your avatar   Daphne

I am an 18-year-old woman. A very close friend of mine claims to be psychic. I have never believed his claims, but a lot of what he has predicted in the past year has come true. I was talking with him one day, and mentioned that it was very scary knowing that you could possibly die at any time. He told me not to worry, because I wasn't going to die until I was in a car accident at age 35. Now I'm afraid to get my license. I don't want to die that young. As many times as I tell myself it isn't true, I am still terrified. I told my friend about this and he has apologized and said that he could very likely be wrong. I still worry though. What should I do?

ANSWER:

    Tony Schirtzinger,

Hi Daphne,

I will be answering your letter line-by-line... It's more conversational that way.

Daphne

I am an 18 year-old woman. A very close friend of mine claims to be psychic.

Tony

Your friendship with him should have no relation to how much you believe in his skills. (Someone who is my friend shouldn't think that makes my statements any more valid professionally either....)

Daphne

I have never believed his claims, but a lot of what he has predicted in the past year has come true.

Tony

Do you also have a record of his predictions which did not come true? All psychics, regardless of their ability and reputation, admit they are wrong a significant percentage of the time.

Daphne

I was talking with him one day, and mentioned that it was very scary knowing that you could possibly die at any time. He told me not to worry, because I wasn't going to die until I was in a car accident at age 35.

Tony

This sounds unnecessarily cruel on his part. I believe most psychics won't give out that kind of information unless they are all but "begged" to, and with many reassurances from the person asking for the information that they will be able to handle it, etc. - Are you aware of any "hidden anger" or "jealousy" he might hold against you? - As his friend, have you ever seen him demonstrate a "cruel streak" (toward you or others)?

Daphne

Now I'm afraid to get my license. I don't want to die that young. As many times as I tell myself it isn't true, I am still terrified.

Tony

The truth is that you don't know for sure, that you didn't know before he said this, and that you never will know for sure. This is the human condition. We simply don't know. And even reputable psychics will not guarantee any one particular prediction. They build their reputations on their "batting average" and on the notoriety they can attain based on how "big" their predictions are (like those involving celebrities, politicians, etc.).

Daphne

I told my friend about this and he has apologized and said that he could very likely be wrong.

Tony

Believe THIS!

Daphne

I still worry though. What should I do?

Tony

Believe your friend is wrong! And, if your worry - about this or about other things too - causes you emotional pain, see a therapist about your anxiety.

By the way, psychics are in the "entertainment" business - and you have not been happily entertained through this experience! So don't deal with psychics in the future, whether they are friends or not! Hope you find this helpful!

Tony Schirtzinger, ACSW, Therapist

This question was answered by Tony Schirtzinger. For more information visit: http://helpyourselftherapy.com/

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