why do we have thoughts of death

[hell1971]

I dont want to die, why do we have thoughts of death, I am low today but I wouldnt consider myself very depressed yet all I have been able to think about today is death. I am worried about my daughter and her fixation with it at the moment so I guess this could be the reason. Feeling very alone in this battle today and cant seem to get thoughts of how I would do it out of my head, anyone know why.

[arkaydon]

You and I, and the rest of mankind are going through this everyday. Fear is the essence of thought. Thought can't comprehend such things. It can only forget for a time, because it's always there in the background. Forget doctors, gurus, priests, they are just as worried as you. The only way I know how to end a thinking is by comprehending it completely. If you never thought about this you could hear Alan watts or Eckhart Tolle or some really wise person you know. Meditation wich is the art of attention(caring) and a form to enter in touch with reality as it is, not as you think it is. Is the only way I believe we can understand, go beyond and find peace with this process completely natural we call death. I'm trying too, but I think, death is only the end of the stories we tell ourselves everyday, what we really are, can't be put into words and also is eternal.

[Seph1212]

I guess I've never thought about my death in a way that would be considered pathological. Of course like most all people I ponder if death is the end all or what an after life would be like...what my legacy will be...etc.

Even in my deepest depressions, I've never been suicidal. In this I should consider myself lucky. Although when in a mixed state, I can become very nihilistic...but not for the nihilism of myself, but rather of everything around me.

[BeeKeeper]

There's not a day goes by that the thought of death does not cross my mind.  This not to say I am suicidal...I'm not.  Alot of times I'm not even in a deeply depressed state.  I had someone tell me that it's not that you want to end your own life, you just don't want to be here anymore.  Halloween is a dark time for me...when i was 10 I ran away from home and went to someone I trusted.  As it turned out, that was the worst thing I could have done.  I remember the exact moment when I told myself I would never trust another living soul again for the rest of my life...adn I haven't..and won't.  That isolation also leads me to thoughts of death...of silence...of peace.  to escape those thoughts my actions are still the same...instead of doing harm, I "run away"...I'll drive for 18 hours just to try and outrun myself.  Granted, it never works, but does make me feel better.  i would say to just mind your thoughts.  if they are thoughts of action, you need to protect yourself by seeing someone or going some place safe.  if they are random thoughts...just try to bring your mind back to the present.  just know you're not alone.

[urieaal]

well all i can really tell you is its natural to eventually realize ones own mortality the fact is you will one day die that's not the scary part how ever...

the part your most likely afraid of is the what happens when you die, some people have religions to fall back on and hope a "god" will be there waiting for them most likely your fear is that you just wont exist one day.

i would try to do other things to take your mind off it a hobby or friends, family, religion if you desire even a counselor could help some what.

its not going to get you any where worrying about it and the human mind cant grasp the fact that it may not be here one day. believe me there where nights when the thought would hit me and utter fear and literally grown man crying like a little child in bed would happen.

a counselor or a pastor can help some people a lot, my self i am stuck with my thoughts and frankly video games, work family, and friends are all that's keeping me sane and even that's border line.

[lizmcc27]

I also have a fixation on thoughts about death.  I'm not necessarily suicidal, well that is to say not close to actually doing it, but I do think about dying a lot.  When I'm depressed and feel low I wish I would die accidentally.  It's happened since I was a teenager.  

I'm recently diagnosed with BP.  I'ts nice to know why I feel this way.  Now it's easier for me to just accept that it's part of my struggle and I just sit with the feelings and wait it out.  Or it's an indicator for me that things are not well.  

[paranoid_cataclysm]

They say part of the prefrontal cortex lights up like crazy with I think it was dopamine activity when someone is suicidal.

[ILADVOCATE]

Having thoughts of death can be part of depression or it can be part of dysphoria which is when the person has the down feelings of depression but the speeded up affect (emotions) of mania. I experience dysphoria very often (including last night before I applied the Catapres application which is a working mood stabilizer but also works on dystonic spasms and its effect on both runs out fairly quickly after a few days) but in myself it is neurological in origin but under clinical study but I experienced it before recovery as well as part of standard moodswings, and including as part of psychosis. Keep track of when it occurs and ask your psychiatrist more about it.

[adel_ezz]

everybody thinks about death whether BP or not, i guess you feel down that's all.

I adopt a rule which proves very effective: "Forget about something you worry about and it will definitely forget you".

Besides nobody for sure knows the future. Also one has to believe in God misericorde, you can never tell. Don't always expect the worst.