Feeling anxious about death is something many people experience at different points in their lives. In fact, death anxiety is one of the most common human fears. For some, worries about death pass quickly, but for others, they can become overwhelming and persistent, affecting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Death anxiety often overlaps with health anxiety. If you find yourself frequently monitoring your body for signs of illness, worrying excessively about symptoms, or fearing that something serious is wrong, these concerns may connect to a deeper fear of death or dying. When death anxiety and health anxiety combine, it can feel exhausting and difficult to manage.
The good news is that therapy for the treatment of death anxiety can be highly effective. At My Therapist Online (MTO), many of our therapists specialise in treating death anxiety and health anxiety using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT for death anxiety is widely recognised as the most effective treatment, helping people understand the thought patterns and behaviours that keep worries going and giving them practical tools to respond differently.
Some of our therapists also draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which supports people not only in reducing anxiety but also in building a more meaningful life alongside uncertainty. ACT can help people shift from being stuck in fear to finding ways to thrive, even when the unknowns of life cannot be controlled.
In addition, some of our therapists use trauma-informed approaches and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) to help when death anxiety is linked to difficult past experiences. These methods can be especially helpful if underlying memories or beliefs are driving the intensity of the fear. By working through these experiences safely, therapy can reduce the emotional weight they carry, helping people to feel less overwhelmed and more able to focus on living fully in the present.
Health anxiety and death anxiety can sometimes feel a bit tangled together; it is the job of a skilled therapist to untangle them for you and make a plan that helps you address both.
What Keeps Death Anxiety Going?
Trying (and failing) to be certain about death
Death is full of unknowns – when it will happen, how it will feel, and what comes afterwards. For those with death anxiety, these uncertainties can feel intolerable. In an effort to feel prepared or in control, people may find themselves worrying excessively or trying to make life as safe and predictable as possible.Thinking negatively about death
Fear of death often leads to negative thoughts or beliefs about what dying will be like. This might include catastrophising about the process, blaming oneself for causing suffering to others, or thinking of ways to prevent or control death.Coping with fear in unhelpful ways
When fears can’t be avoided, people often turn to “safety behaviours” to manage the anxiety. These might include repeatedly checking that they or loved ones are safe, searching for information about death and dying, or asking others for constant reassurance.Avoiding reminders of death
Some people try to block out anything that reminds them of death, whether that’s certain places, conversations, activities, or even their own thoughts. While avoidance can feel like relief in the short-term, it usually makes the fear stronger over time.
How Online Therapy for Death Anxiety Can Help
Therapy can help people notice and step away from these unhelpful patterns, opening up the possibility of living more fully in the present rather than being caught up in fear about the future.
If you are struggling with death anxiety, therapy can give you the tools to manage your fears and reclaim your life. At My Therapist Online, our highly experienced therapists offer online therapy for death anxiety and health anxiety, providing compassionate support with approaches proven to work.
With the right help, it is possible to reduce the impact of these fears and start moving towards a calmer, more fulfilling life.
Get in touch - we can help you.
If death anxiety is affecting your day-to-day life, know that support is available. Reaching out for therapy can be the first step towards breaking free from the cycle of worry and finding greater peace of mind. At My Therapist Online, our experienced therapists are here to help you navigate these fears with compassion and proven approaches, so you can focus on living the life you want.
Written by Lisa Johnston
Director My Therapist Online
Anxiety Disorders Specialist.
