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Douglas Todd: Death anxiety gives rise to mental disorders. But don't despair

Fear of death is highly correlated with panic disorder, hypochondria, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other difficulties, a UBC psychology conference was told. But we can build 'buffers' against the dread.

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“Study death always, so you’ll fear it never.”

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                                             — Seneca, ancient Stoic philosopher

By the age of 10, children have a complete understanding of death. But their knowledge of it doesn’t make them anxious, say studies. That comes later.

A conference of 200 specialists in psychology at the University of B.C. recently heard about how death anxiety is contributing to a range of mental health disorders.

Fear of death, which tends to seize hold of many in their early adult and middle years, is highly correlated with chronic anxiety, panic disorder, hypochondria and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

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