Dealing with Death Anxiety

Death anxiety is a common fear experienced by up to 10% of people, according to research. It is also known as “thanatophobia” and refers to intense concerns regarding one’s own death, the process of dying, someone else dying, or what happens after death. For Christians, who believe in eternal life, there can be an element of shame in admitting death anxiety.

After all, if we are so convinced that our life here is temporary, and that what awaits once Jesus returns is infinitely better than this life, then why would we suffer death anxiety?

Christian counseling can help individuals process their fear, getting to an understanding of what exact part of death is causing worry. It is also an opportunity to meditate on Scripture and walk a journey of growing faith together with someone who can provide perspective and pray through the problem together.

Symptoms of death anxiety

A certain degree of fear about death or dying is normal. It can be a frightening prospect filled with uncertainty, and the possibility of pain, along with trauma and grief for those left behind. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that “God has set eternity in the human heart”, which means that, in every human soul there is a God-given awareness that there is something more than this transient life and that we know intrinsically that this world is not our forever home.

Death anxiety, however, goes beyond this to the point where it prevents a person from enjoying life. While it is not a psychiatric diagnosis, someone with the phobia will feel extremely distressed about death and dying.

The symptoms that might show up beyond an expression of this fear include going to great lengths to minimize the risk of dying (not leaving the house, refusing mechanical modes of transport, etc.), avoiding places or activities that remind one of death or dying, having intrusive, disturbing thoughts about death, and spending an inordinate amount of time pondering the subject.

Death anxiety can be an isolated issue, or it can be linked to other mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety and depression.

Treatment options

Death anxiety is traditionally treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves talking through symptoms, discovering where and how the phobia might have originated, and formulating ways in which to face the fears and think about them differently. In Christian counseling, CBT is also used, but the content of the sessions will vary greatly due to the truth of death as presented in the Bible.

Some principles that could be used might address the bondage of fixation, and how God is able to deliver us from this bondage – as Hebrews 13:21 says, “He equips you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever, amen.” God can decisively act and help us to remove the phobias that hold us back in life.

A Christian counselor would also emphasize God’s sovereignty over life and death, and that nothing happens outside of His will. Satan cannot act without God’s permission, and it is about going through the process of submitting our lives to Him, knowing that “in all things, He works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Lastly, they may encourage meditating on the truth that we are immortal, and that, while death may be frightening in the process, it is far outweighed by the glory of what is to come. 1 Peter 3:6 is a verse about fear that captures well our human experience of living in a world of frightening circumstances.

Peter is urging women to trust God while submitting to ungodly or unwise husbands. At the end of his instruction, he tells them to “do good and do not fear anything that is frightening”. He does not deny that there is much to be afraid of but advises them to invoke the control that comes with being able to have a calm response in the face of such frightening things.

Through His spirit, we can replace fearful thoughts with good, positive, and true ones (death begins the life we’ve always longed for, there is no sting to death because Christ has won victory for us, and it is the path to meeting our greatest friend, Jesus).

If you experience death anxiety, do not hesitate to contact us at Pasadena Christian Counseling in California to book an initial session and start your journey to full recovery.