To what extent this fear occurs and what it pertains to specifically varies from one person to another.
Who Has a Fear of Dying?
There is even a field of study called thanatology which examines the human reaction to death and dying.
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Some interesting findings have emerged from studying the fear of death.
Interestingly, almost as many Americans (20%) have afear of public speaking.
Some researchers argue thatyoung people fear deathmore than the elderly.
Both palliative care and hospice care can provide people with greater comfort when approaching the end of life.
It is human nature to want tounderstand and make sense of the world around us.
The reality is that death can never be fully understood by anyone who is living.
Fear of Non-Existence
Some people fear that they will completely cease to exist after death occurs.
We might typically associate this fear with atheists or others without personal spiritual orreligious beliefs.
Thislack of controlfrightens many people.
Parents, for example, might worry about a newborn or child.
Normal vs.
Unhealthy Fear of Dying
In general, the fear of death can be healthy.
Fearing the reality of death might also push us to work harder so that leave a lasting legacy.
Called thanatophobia, this intense, often irrational fear of death can consume someone’s thoughts.
Summary
Being afraid of death is natural and many people share in this fear to some extent.
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