TW DEATH: I’ve figured out my core fear is death. I was curious what others had done for their exposures when this was the case? I’m scared of if heaven if real or not, the idea of being buried since I’m claustrophobic, the idea of being separated from the ones i love,. I literally shutter just at writing some of these words. Someone very close to me just lost their husband in a tragic accident and it’s been very triggering.

Really struggling with the idea of death, scares the shit out of me. My OCD has really clung to this and all I can think about is my Loved ones are going to die one day and so am I. I’m flooded with so many emotions ranging from fear to guilt. It’s gotten to the point where the thought of death is always in the back of my mind 24/7. I’ve been having nightmares about it now and will wake up in a full blown panic. Anyone deal with something like this? And any tips to move past this?

Ever since my mom had a recent health scare, I've been obsessing over the inevitability of death, of the people around me, of my loved ones, and of my own. Looking at historical figures, hearing about dead people triggers a lot of these obsessions. Combined with the fact that I'm agnostic, and do not necessarily believe in an afterlife, so a thought that constantly appears and distresses me is the fact that when someone dies, they don't exist anymore, and they wouldn't know they existed. I've been struggling with these thoughts for a few months now, everytime I'm laughing or having fun with someone, an intrusive thought such as "They're going to die one day, and none of this would matter" would pop up, and it prevents me from grounding myself and enjoying the moment with loved ones. It makes me feel alone, and scared. I don't tell anyone about my thoughts, and I do not seek reassurance from them because I know it doesn't help. Some days it's okay, some days it isn't. On really bad days, I secretly wish that I would pass away before anyone that I cherish does so I won't have to bear the pain of losing them. I'm only 19 years old. And I know that my entire life is ahead of me, but with these thoughts, it's hard to visualize my life, and that it's worth living for sometimes. Ever since these thoughts appeared, I lost the ability to make long term plans, and visualize a future that I want because the thoughts tell me that none of it will matter. I know deep inside that what I do matters, and that I matter as well. But these thoughts cloud my judgement, and it takes a toll on me because of how persistent they can be. It's really hard to deal with these thoughts because death is a real concept, something that *will* happen. And because of these obsessions, I've become nihilistic, and I slowly lose the drive to accomplish anything. But I do try to live my life as normal as possible. Do the things I want to do, despite the heavy burden that I carry with me each day.

i can’t understand how other people don’t constantly think about death. like, it’s final. it’s unavoidable. it’s just the end. no more me. i’m going to die someday and it’s so scary it makes me physically sick. i can’t eat or sleep or leave my house or go a single minute without thinking about it. i can’t even describe the anxiety it causes. my other obsessions don’t even affect me anymore. death is real. that’s the one thing in life that is guaranteed. it’s going to happen. why doesn’t this freak everyone else out?? i’m trying to do exposures for myself. just writing these things down. it’s so difficult. if any one has any easier exposures, please let me know. i’m started Paxil tomorrow and i’m hoping it helps with the anxiety so it’ll be easier to do the exposures but i can’t function at all anymore. i always told myself id never make a post on here but i really need help