Definition: From the greek words thanatos, meaning death, and phobia, meaning fear, thanatophobia is the fear of death. This fear is usually broken down into sub-fears including the fear of pain or suffering; fear of the unknown; fear of non-existence; fear of eternal punishment; and fear of what will become of loved ones.
Some fear of death is healthy and motivates us to take precautions to prevent it. True thanatophobia, however, is an unhealthy fear that interferes with daily life. Fear of death that consumes your thought and prevents you from leading a normal life may be a psychological condition and needs to be evaluated by a mental health professional.
Also Known As: necrophobia
