Key takeaways:
It’s normal to think about death from time to time, whether it’s your own death or a loved one dying.
Sometimes, people can become more preoccupied with death. In some cases, this can be a sign of a mental health condition like death anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or major depression.
If you think about death a lot, treatment can help. The right treatment for you depends on your unique symptoms and the root cause of your thoughts about death.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking about death, you’re not alone. After all, everyone thinks about their own mortality or that of their loved ones at times.
But what does it mean if you can’t stop thinking about death? There are several explanations for why this may be the case. Regardless, thinking about death all the time can be very distressing. This article will cover whether it’s normal to think about death and when to think about reaching out for help.
Is it normal to think about death all the time?
It’s hard to say. Thinking about death from time to time is normal. After all, death is a part of life that touches every person at some point. And if you recently lost a loved one or experienced a traumatic event, you may naturally find yourself thinking about death often.
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But the truth is: It can be unsettling to think about death all the time.
Many people find themselves thinking about death a lot but have no intentions to act on these thoughts. In some cases, thinking about death a lot could be a sign that you’re dealing with a mental health condition, like major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
And if your thoughts about death are accompanied by a wish to actually die, it’s possible these thoughts could be suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is when you think about ending your own life. In these situations, it’s important to reach out for professional support (more on this below).
Why can’t I stop thinking about dying?
There are many different reasons why you may be thinking about death a lot. It could be a response to your recent life experiences. Or, it could be a symptom of a mental health condition. Let’s take a closer look at some common reasons people think about death.
Major depression
Major depressive disorder is a common mental health condition that affects your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It can make you feel sad, hopeless, or empty most of the time. But it can also cause many other symptoms, including thoughts about death or dying, and suicidal ideation.
Grief
Grief is a normal process that can happen after any major life change, including the death of someone close to you. Grief can cause many different emotional and physical symptoms, including thinking about death.
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Trauma
A traumatic event can be any situation where you felt like your emotional or physical safety was at risk. After experiencing trauma, it’s common to have thoughts of death — even if it was just a so-called “near-miss” event.
In some cases, a traumatic event can lead to PTSD. Some people with PTSD also have thoughts about death and suicide.
Death anxiety (thanatophobia)
Death anxiety (thanatophobia) is uncontrollable worry about death or the dying process. People with death anxiety have an intense fear of death or dying — to the point where it interferes with their daily life.
Though it’s normal to have some level of anxiety about death, people with thanatophobia are overwhelmed by death-related fears. Like other types of phobias, those with thanatophobia may try to avoid thinking about death and doing things that appear dangerous, such as flying on an airplane.
Intrusive thoughts
Constant thoughts of death can also be a type of intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that pop up unexpectedly and can be hard to control. This might include thoughts or images about you or someone you know dying.
Intrusive thoughts can happen on their own, or can be a symptom of a mental health condition like PTSD, anxiety disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Thinking about death vs. thoughts of suicide
Suicidal ideation is more than just thinking about death. It’s when you think specifically about killing yourself. Sometimes these could be passing thoughts. Other times these thoughts could include a specific plan for ending your life. Either way, suicidal thoughts should always be taken seriously. No matter what you’re dealing with, help is available.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. You should also call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if you or a loved one are in immediate physical danger.
Can treatment help with thoughts about death?
Yes. If you’re thinking about death a lot, treatment may be able to help. The right treatment for you will depend on what’s causing your thoughts about death and whether or not you have a specific mental health condition.
Two of the most common types of treatment include:
Medication: Medication can help treat mental health conditions that cause thoughts about death, like major depression, anxiety disorders, and more. Some medications can also help to manage intrusive thoughts and suicidal ideation.
Therapy: Therapy can help you understand and change your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors — including your relationship with death. Therapy is also a proven treatment for many mental health conditions, including major depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, and PTSD. It can also help with grief.
Is it safe to talk to a therapist about having thoughts of dying?
Yes. It’s safe to talk to a therapist if you’re thinking about death. Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or suicidal ideation, a therapist can help. Your conversations with your therapist are confidential except for a few situations (like when someone’s safety is at risk).
If you do bring up death or suicide, your therapist will likely do what’s called a “suicide risk assessment” with you. This typically involves answering more in-depth questions about your current thoughts, feelings, and plans. This can help your therapist understand whether or not you’re at risk for harming yourself.
If your therapist has concerns about your safety, they will talk with you about next steps. This could include putting together a safety plan for home or potentially having you stay in the hospital for treatment.
Mental health support and resources
Remember: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. The Lifeline offers free and confidential support and is open 24 hours a day. You can also chat with the Lifeline here.
Other crisis lines are also available for specific individuals seeking support:
Veterans: Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 or text 838255
LGBTQIA+: LGBT National Hotline, call 1-888-843-4564
Teens: Teen Line, call 1-800-852-8336 or text 839863
LGBTQ Youth: The Trevor Project, call 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678
For more information on suicide prevention, see the following organizations:
For information and support related to different types of mental health conditions, see the following organizations:
The bottom line
Thinking about death from time to time can be normal. But if you find yourself thinking about death often, feeling very anxious about it, or are thinking of ending your life, you may be experiencing an underlying condition.
And remember: if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts, it’s always a good idea to reach out to a professional. No matter what you’re dealing with, help is available.
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References
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Grief.
Better Health Channel. (2017). Near-miss experiences and traumatic events. Department of Health, State Government of Victoria.
Every Life Matters. (n.d.). Safety planning.
Laurence, E. (2023). Thanatophobia (fear of death): Symptoms and treatment. Forbes Health.
Mental Health America. (n.d.). I think about death all the time.
Ryan, E. P., et al. (2020). Suicide risk assessment and prevention: Challenges and opportunities. Focus.
