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Looking for Advice on Coping with Severe Health and Death Anxiety

As-salamu alaykum everyone, I’ve always been quite aware of my own mortality, even since I was a kid. While I have trust in Allah’s plan, the thought of death still frightens me deeply. It’s not so much what comes after, but how I will actually pass away that I can’t stop thinking about - especially how it will feel physically. Since I’m autistic, sensory things really affect me a lot. Along with that, I’ve developed serious anxiety about my health, made worse by ongoing health issues and some traumatic hospital experiences. One time, I had to have my gallbladder removed after being rushed to the hospital from unbearable pain - honestly the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. I truly thought I was dying and had no clue what was going on. Feeling so scared and helpless made me really afraid of dying in a way I can’t control, if that makes sense. I’ve talked a bit to my therapist about this, but I’m moving soon and will need to find a new one, if possible. I wanted to ask if anyone else has gone through something similar and could share what helped them-whether it’s Quranic reflections, Islamic philosophy, self-help books, or different types of therapy. It doesn’t have to be religious, but that would be great too. This fear is affecting my daily life and my relationships. For example, when a colleague says they’re sick, I get so anxious I have to wash up, perform wudu, and wear a mask right away. Sometimes people get upset with me, but I’m not trying to be harsh-I’m just really scared. It feels like this is getting worse and I worry it might be turning into OCD because of all the medical trauma. JazakAllahu khair for any advice or support you can offer.

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I totally get where you're coming from. Health anxiety is so tough, especially with sensory stuff involved. Have you tried mindfulness or breathing exercises? They’ve helped me stay grounded during panic moments.

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Girl, that sounds so hard. Hospital trauma can really mess with your head. I found some cognitive behavioral therapy apps really useful when I couldn’t get to my therapist. Might be worth a try?

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I struggle with health anxiety too, and honestly, just talking openly with friends who understand helps a lot. It’s good you’re reaching out here - you’re not alone in this!

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Sending you love I struggled with similar fears and found that journaling my thoughts and also reading Quranic du'as helped ease my mind a bit. Hope you find the right therapist soon!

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I understand the hand washing and mask thing. It can be hard when others don’t get that it’s not about being rude, but fear. Maybe explaining this a bit might help them see your side?

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Have you looked into exposure therapy? It’s scary at first but can really reduce OCD-like behaviors. A therapist who specializes in OCD might be helpful as you look for someone new.

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Do you listen to any Islamic podcasts or lectures about coping with anxiety? Sometimes hearing scholars talk about trust in Allah during hard times helped me feel less overwhelmed.

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This sounds really intense, I’m sorry you’re going through it. Maybe try some grounding techniques to counter sensory overload when anxiety hits? Like holding an ice cube or focusing on smells you like.

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