Afraid of dying?

[Poppy45]

I am due to have surgery in a few weeks, just day surgery, but 6 years ago I had an operation that went wrong and I nearly died. I am panicking massively about this new op and am constantly worrying that I may die. Does anyone else get these feelings?

[Hidden]

Hi. Poppy. A perfectly natural feeling. Who wouldn't feel anxious when going in for an op? Even so called 'normal' people feel this way. Yours is an exaggeration of that feeling. Especially in view of your previous experience. I never hard of anyone dying in day surgery. The anticipation of any event in this illness is never as bad as the event. When you get in the hospital you may find, as you know, that sedation is required. This puts you in a sate of bliss. Lovely!! It did me when I have had ops. I often wished I could stay there! Try not to be too upset and accept how you feel. You could well be upsetting yourself over nothing. As we often do in the anxiety state. Regards. jonathan.

[Poppy45]

Hi Jonathan,

I think you're quite right it's the anticipation that's really triggering this off. I have had a nonstop Christmas and New Year so didn't have time to take stock but now it's back to work etc it's sunk in and is now bouncing around my mind.

I am not very good at relaxing and giving up control so the thought of doing nothing for a month is really stressful too. As it happened it was another minor event that triggered the anxiety off but I know through my CBT that the worrying about something going wrong again is at the root of the issue and the other minor problem was a diversion.

This time of year is tricky for me too as it was two years ago to the day almost that I suffered my breakdown - winter has always been a time where I feel 'low' not depressed - so it's a bit of a struggle anyway...but two years ago after illness again I had the breakdown my fear is that I will end up with depression again. I only just came off Anti-deps in July 2012 and was grateful for the side effects to go with them...I fear going back on them!

[Nanny1969]

hates this happening