Monitor suicide risk. If you are having obsessive thoughts about death and are thinking of taking your life, reach out for help. If your thoughts of death coincide with feeling hopeless, wanting to die, thinking about ways to kill yourself, feeling like a burden to others, social isolation, or extreme mood swings, get help now. Reach out to a friend or family member, or if you’re in a crisis situation, call the ED or a suicide hotline. You can Call Emergency Services or check yourself into the Emergency Department at your local hospital. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline within the USA at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can live chat online at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/, available 24 hours each day, 7 days each week. Ask yourself how your thoughts make you feel. While it’s normal to have thoughts about one’s mortality, ask yourself how this makes you feel. Do the thoughts make you panicky, anxious, or depressed? Do they make you feel uncomfortable? If the thoughts keep you up at night or bring you distress throughout the day, they may be related to an anxiety disorder.[1] X Research source When thoughts of death come to your

awareness, does your body react? Does your heart race or do you feel cold, nauseous, or sick? These may be signals of anxiety. Monitor how your thoughts influence behavior. If your thoughts of death cause you to follow up the thought with a behavior in order to alleviate the discomfort, this may be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This may include reciting prayers or religious rituals triggered by fear, excessively double (or triple) checking things like locking the doors or turning off the stove, counting, tapping, or repeating words to relieve anxiety, or collecting things and not throwing things away “just in case”.[2] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source If your thoughts of death trigger compulsive behavior, go to a therapist and discuss these symptoms. He or she may give you a diagnosis of OCD. Reflect on any recent events. Sometimes, after a death or tragedy thoughts of death may become more prevalent. Ask yourself if your thoughts are a response to the death of someone you knew or a result of a tragedy, such as a natural disaster. If so, reflect on what meaning this has to you: do

you fear that a similar situation may happen to you or to your family? Do you feel angry? Hurt? Outraged? Get in touch with the emotions these thoughts are triggering. You may uncover a deep-rooted fear you may not have acknowledged, or relate back to a trauma that may be unresolved. It’s normal to feel anxious, depressed, sad, numb, or to experience lower functioning after a traumatic event. However, when the thoughts become excessive, it’s time to seek help. Refocus your attention. If your intrusive thoughts about death interrupt your normal functioning, try refocusing your mind. Do something you enjoy for 15 minutes or more, such as taking a walk, listening to music, reading, or playing a game. Find a distraction that helps you refocus your attention away from thoughts of death.[3] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source Engaging in something you enjoy can help take your mind and body away from thoughts of death or any compulsions that accompany the thoughts. Revalue the thoughts. Don’t accept the thought at face value; recognize it as intrusive and as not having any inherent value or meaning. Say

to yourself, “This is just my brain, and I do not need to pay attention to this thought.” By not allowing the thought to evoke a reaction, you limit the power the thought has on you.[4] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source While it’s difficult to control your thoughts, you can control your reactions and responses. Focus on what is within your control. If you fear death, you can become overwhelmed with thoughts of the fear surrounding death. Keep in mind that you cannot control every outcome, especially death, but you can put your focus more onto things that are within your control, such as prevention. Even if you find yourself feeling out of control with ongoing diseases, focus on ways to cope with long-term symptoms, like diabetes or chronic illnesses.[5] X Research source If your family has a history of heart disease or cancer, it doesn’t mean that you will die of this disease. Instead of worrying about your outcome, focus on prevention. Live a healthy lifestyle, engage socially, eat nutritious foods, exercise, and put your attention on the things that are within your control and that decrease

your overall stress.[6] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source If you are scared of dying in a car crash, drive cautiously and wear a seatbelt. Accept your mortality. You may be in perfect health or have a health condition that limits your life. Either way, you know that sooner or later the time will come for you to die. While death is never a comfortable topic to discuss, talk about it with people who care about you. If you know your time is coming, make arrangements with your friends and family to help alleviate any stress. Don’t be afraid to bring the topic of death up, as it can bring relief to acknowledge the inevitable and discuss it with those close to you.[7] X Research source Reflect on your relationships and ask yourself if there’s anything you can do to bring peace to those in your life. Set things straight so that you relieve yourself of guilt and can feel complete in your life. Even if you are in perfect health, it’s okay to accept your mortality and make plans for the future, for your family and your friends. It can shed some relief knowing that a plan is in order. Also, living your life

in such a way that values every person and every moment can be rewarding and enjoyable. Have positive thoughts of death. For some, the reality of death can help bring meaning to life. It helps bring forth the reality that life is finite and not to be taken for granted.[8] X Research source While many people associated thoughts of death with fear, sadness, or guilt, find ways to approach death positively, like giving your current life meaning. Think about the things you want to accomplish or experience in your lifetime. When realizing your reality is finite, ask yourself, “What’s the wait in going after these things? Why not do them now?” You may find new ways to enjoy each moment. Check yourself into the Emergency Department. If you feel like you may be an immediate threat to yourself or to other people, check yourself into the Emergency Department at your local hospital. Therapists and social workers are trained to provide crisis care and help you de-escalate your thoughts and feelings in the moment, and help you cope with similar feelings in the future. The medical team may recommend further treatment, such as going to residential care or obtaining therapy. See a therapist.

If you’re having difficulty managing the thoughts on your own, make an appointment with a therapist. A therapist can help you work through your obsessive thoughts and respond to them differently. If you tend to focus on catastrophic events or exaggerated feelings of responsibility, therapy can help you respond to these thoughts in a healthy and effective way without resorting to compulsive behavior.[9] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source If there are specific situations that you think about or places you avoid, therapy can help you with exposure and response to these situations, such as avoiding riding in cars or trains for fear of death. Join a support group. A support group can help you join with other people who have similar obsessive thoughts or fears. A support group can offer encouragement, support, and friendship and can help with feelings of isolation.[10] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source Ask your medical doctor or therapist if there are any local support groups that deal with obsessive thoughts. Stay connected.

Having obsessive thoughts can make you feel isolated and alone, like nobody understands. Have a solid support system of family and friends to help combat feelings of isolation and vulnerability. Allow a friend or family member to encourage you to combat obsessive thoughts or follow through with treatment.[11] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source If you feel socially isolated, make new friends. Volunteering is a great way to help your community and meet new people that share similar interests as you. Volunteer at your local animal shelter or animal sanctuary, or with children or the elderly.[12] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health issues Go to source