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I'm wondering what could really prevent this for someone thinking they will surely die at some time. Someone close to me (who doesn't have a physiological illne

I'm wondering what could really prevent this for someone thinking they will surely die at some time. Someone close to me (who doesn't have a physiological illness) literally/obsessively thinks that she'll die at the age 40 (5 years to go) and I have trouble convincing her that she won't. After reading this, I'm more concerned. Any recommendations?

CountDrewku 5y ago
She needs to stop being afraid of fear. This is the basis for all anxiety disorders. Fear of fear. You get into loop where you're literally scared of fear itself. The solution is simple, death is scary. So what? She will need to force herself to sit with that fear and become indifferent about it or even learn to like it in some way if possible. Similar to exposure with phobic people, or ignoring behaviors with OCD. I'd recommend reading Claire Weeks Hope and Help for Your Nerves. Also, I'd recommend not playing this game of convincing her she won't die. She's probably habituated some sort of compulsive behavior of trying to release the fear by asking you to sooth it (pretty similar to OCD handwashing when you think about it). You're only reinforcing her behavior.
klipt 5y ago
If she believes she's under a voodoo curse or something, maybe the best psychological treatment is to get her voodoo-uncursed, by a witchdoctor, or priest of her favorite religion, or via some other ritual. E.g. get her friends together to ritually form a "ring of protection" around her and go around 3 times to triple her time from 40 to 120 years.
titanomachy 5y ago
Has she considered doing a month-long silent retreat, or mediated psychedelic therapy? Both have the potential to significantly restructure a person's belief system. They're not without risks, but if you really think the alternative is that she dies in five years...
- can16358p 5y ago
  I agree. It would be impossible to convince her into the first one. And the second one isn't available in here (if it were, I'd love to try it as well).

CountDrewku 5y ago

She needs to stop being afraid of fear. This is the basis for all anxiety disorders. Fear of fear. You get into loop where you're literally scared of fear itself. The solution is simple, death is scary. So what? She will need to force herself to sit with that fear and become indifferent about it or even learn to like it in some way if possible. Similar to exposure with phobic people, or ignoring behaviors with OCD. I'd recommend reading Claire Weeks Hope and Help for Your Nerves. Also, I'd recommend not playing this game of convincing her she won't die. She's probably habituated some sort of compulsive behavior of trying to release the fear by asking you to sooth it (pretty similar to OCD handwashing when you think about it). You're only reinforcing her behavior.

klipt 5y ago

If she believes she's under a voodoo curse or something, maybe the best psychological treatment is to get her voodoo-uncursed, by a witchdoctor, or priest of her favorite religion, or via some other ritual. E.g. get her friends together to ritually form a "ring of protection" around her and go around 3 times to triple her time from 40 to 120 years.

titanomachy 5y ago

Has she considered doing a month-long silent retreat, or mediated psychedelic therapy? Both have the potential to significantly restructure a person's belief system. They're not without risks, but if you really think the alternative is that she dies in five years...

can16358p 5y ago
I agree. It would be impossible to convince her into the first one. And the second one isn't available in here (if it were, I'd love to try it as well).