Gransnet forums

Chat

Are You Afraid Of Dieing

(67 Posts)
feetlebaum Wed 05-Mar-14 11:41:13

To quote Woody Allen: I'm not scared of dying - I just don't want to be there when it happens...

After all, I was dead for millions of years before I was born, so it'll be like that again... the world will carry on turning, just not with me on it!

Mishap Wed 05-Mar-14 11:37:59

I think about dying every day, in the sense of my strong awareness of the passage of time. I also think about how I will never see my GC get married and be settled etc.

I have no fear of being dead - I think it will simply be as it was before I was born - all life is a cycle - we come, we go, and when we have had our turn and lived our life, others take over and have their turn. We return to the stardust whence we came.

I am concerned about the process of dying - I think everyone is and it would be strange not to. We are programmed to further our own survival, as are all species, and the contemplation of death flies in the face of the prime imperative to survive.

In know that if I die first, my H, who is medically trained, will do all he an to ensure that it is a peaceful and comfortable death as far as is possible.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 05-Mar-14 11:22:40

I just try not to think about it. A cold panic comes over me when I realise the day will actually dawn....... (shudder)

ninathenana Wed 05-Mar-14 11:21:17

This thread has made me think about it, which is something I never do. I now realise as others have said it's the how that scares me. Being immobile and in pain is not good.
I think developing dementia of some kind, which my mother had is more scary.

soop Wed 05-Mar-14 11:18:50

I'm not in the least bit afraid of dying. It's a fact of life. smile

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 05-Mar-14 11:16:54

Yes. I agree with Gally. The thought of leaving the loved ones is the hardest thing. And, on a good day, leaving the world in general is a sad thought.

Brendawymms Wed 05-Mar-14 11:13:33

I am not afraid of dying and certainly not afraid of a natural peaceful death. I am afraid that if in pain and distress would be unable to do something about it.

jinglbellsfrocks Wed 05-Mar-14 11:13:29

Not 'alf!!! grin

Some research recently came up with the idea that a lot (in fact, they said all) depression is down to the fear of dying. Which would fit in with the recent findings that a lot of today's depression is amongst women over 60.

On the other hand, when my depression cuts in badly, I feel I would welcome it. Thankfully that doesn't last long.

Charleygirl Wed 05-Mar-14 11:05:04

Grannyknot I am scared of having a heart attack in the street and some well meaning do gooder coming along, administering CPR and leaving me in a worse position instead of leaving me to die a quick relatively painless death.

dollie Wed 05-Mar-14 11:04:51

I'm not scared of dying more how will i die!

@ gally i agree with you ( hugs)

Grannyknot Wed 05-Mar-14 10:56:42

gilly I think that's a common worry about what would happen to people who depend on us when we die. On some of the other threads, widows have written about their husbands preparing a sort of a "DIY Be Prepared" drawer for them when the husbands have known that they were terminally ill. Really touching. I believe that sometimes it has a positive impact - my mother for example really "babied" my brother (her youngest) to such an extent that it only became apparent to us that how much he "grew up" after she died. (Not saying that's what you do!)

I'm scared of protracted illness, pain etc but not really that scared of the actual moment of dying. I'd prefer it to be instantaneous though so I don't have to think about it.

Gally Wed 05-Mar-14 10:55:49

I think it's only natural to be afraid of dying. Since J died I have been less fearful of it but occasionally I can become, briefly, paralytic with fear of the unknown which is daft as once you're gone, you're gone! The fear is more perhaps of dying in pain and distress and leaving grieving family behind. Life goes on - I am finding that out sad

Charleygirl Wed 05-Mar-14 10:49:15

I do not want a protracted death where I am in a lot of pain and I am totally immobile. Am I afraid? Yes, I suppose that I am but that really is the fear of the unknown. I am not religious, having been educated at a convent and had religion drummed down my throat for many years.

KatyK Wed 05-Mar-14 10:49:05

I am terrified of dying. I don't worry about the people around me really (apart from DH) as they are all grown with families of their own. Obviously it would be horrible for my nearest and dearest but they don't rely on me. It's the thought of not being here. I don't believe in life after death so I don't really know why I'm so scared. Best get on with living then!

gillybob Wed 05-Mar-14 10:41:32

I admit to being terrified of dying. Sometimes I often make myself sick with worry of what would happen to my family if I were to die (soon). I can understand why this might sound crazy to some people but I have so many people relying on me that I worry what would become of them if I were no longer around. Am I completely bonkers?

Nonnie Wed 05-Mar-14 10:28:59

I am not afraid of dying, just of dying in pain.

carnationa Wed 05-Mar-14 10:23:47

On her death bed my Mother admitted to my brother that she was scared. It was a shock because she was a very strong willed women.

Yesterday coming home in a Taxi I had a sharp pain in my chest and for a split second I was scared that I was going to die in the back of a black cab.

I think it is the fear of the un known. I believe in an after life, but still you do not know exactly what is coming and I think, that, that is were the fear stems from.

What do you think. Were does the fear stem from and are you afraif of dieing.