Why aren't really old people, or terminally ill people, freaking out about dying?

[GoingSoonish]

These people know that they are very close to a natural death. I have never met one that is ridden with anxiety about the unknown, fear of oblivion, or feeling the effects of the survival instinct. I don't quite understand it.

 

[Lara Francis]

Because they want to escape this shit life too.

 

[Shay]

These people know that they are very close to a natural death. I have never met one that is ridden with anxiety about the unknown, fear of oblivion, or feeling the effects of the survival instinct. I don't quite understand it.

I thjnk they do have a huge survival instinct that keeps them fighting

 

[Angst Filled Fuck Up]

I'm only mid thirties and I'm totally over it so I'd think they would be pretty much at peace once they are pushing 80 or whatever. I wish I would contract something short term and fatal though. Lots of sympathy, morphine, family around me etc. Being dead doesn't scare me, but everything up to that point does. However much less so if I pass away from natural causes.

 

[Candour]

Because they don't have to put any effort into it, it just happens naturally.

 

[Lra888]

I think many are freaking out - it depends on the individual.

 

[Trashcan]

By old age, they've probably come to acceptance about death. And their bodies are failing. With terminal illnesses, I've heard there often becomes a point when these people just don't want to fight anymore. The illness is too awful. The treatments are too awful. And it keeps getting worse.

 

[Lra888]

By old age, they've probably come to acceptance about death. And their bodies are failing. With terminal illnesses, I've heard there often becomes a point when these people just don't want to fight anymore. The illness is too awful. The treatments are too awful. And it keeps getting worse.

Similar to us in that we've had enough and we're ready to leave. At some point the survival instinct is overcome.

 

[lostinthedream]

By old age, they've probably come to acceptance about death. And their bodies are failing. With terminal illnesses, I've heard there often becomes a point when these people just don't want to fight anymore. The illness is too awful. The treatments are too awful. And it keeps getting worse.

Yes this. Death is a natural progression.. like falling asleep or going under general anesthesia.. eventually you simply have to let go.. and surrender to it..

 

[Chinaski]

For them, death is a passive act. I read a lot of Tony Benn's diaries, as he came close to death he remained busy, politically active and loved by so many, but he grieved a great deal for his late wife and began to speak of himself very critically, occasionally even describing himself as depressed. I think we all feel essentially the same about death, we just have an instinctive aversion to playing an active part in it.

 

[Avicii]

These people know that they are very close to a natural death. I have never met one that is ridden with anxiety about the unknown, fear of oblivion, or feeling the effects of the survival instinct. I don't quite understand it.

They block it out

 

[Justanotherconsumer]

Death could become quite attractive as you age, dragging around a dying carcass isn't pleasant in itself and limiting, never mind people with painful and terminal illness, the pain and suffering negates the fear of death. If you have ever been severely I'll after drinking sometimes you wish for death, which is nothing compared to the misery of someone in severe physical pain every moment. People aren't even being given sufficient opiods these days to alleviate the pain of terminal illness or any painful condition under the guise of preventing addiction. In reality the govt. And insurance companies simply are unwilling to pay for these end of life meds to alleviate suffering. Even the euthanasia doctors want 10's of thousands of dollars before they will help you.

 

[Sayo]

Some seem plenty afraid of it, especially after the first injuries. But they are alive and have to distract themselves. They are not planning to stop until the end, unlike us. They're also not as likely to speak out about it.

At that age, you have had chances to make peace with it, but you might need to renew it as it looms closer or your loved ones pass.

 

[sadak_the_wanderer]

I would include exhaustion, decades of time to come to process the situation, and being soaked in a culture where you have an "acceptable" time to die.

 

[Schopenhauer]

Many are terrified, but they don't like to say so (maybe to appear brave, or to soothe their familiars). You can see it by their actions (what economists call "revealed preferences"): they spend vast sums of money just to postpone death a few months, or even weeks, with pretty low quality of life.

 

[406blue]

If you go into a 'retirement home' lots of these seemingly chilled out old people are on medication for anxiety and stress.

 

[406blue]

I'm only mid thirties and I'm totally over it so I'd think they would be pretty much at peace once they are pushing 80 or whatever. I wish I would contract something short term and fatal though. Lots of sympathy, morphine, family around me etc. Being dead doesn't scare me, but everything up to that point does. However much less so if I pass away from natural causes.

A natural end can be anything on the spectrum from a heart attack to years of suffering. Every day i see people struggling to go about their lives despite all sorts of physical problems or handicaps and admire them more and more and despise myself for having quit. I did some voluntary work with elderly people for a while and for anyone trying to life themselves out of depression i'd recommend it.

Being occupied, having a social network and routines, these are reasons some people might cope better than others. My father used to look forward to his chemo sessions. It forced him out of the house, there were nice nurses around and other people he could relate to and not be an outcast because of his illness. When he was unoccupied and alone, it was hell for him much of the time, the thing we don't see.

He spent 30 years drinking and smoking excessively and being fed up with life, probably having suicidal thoughts. When he was diagnosed and given 18 months he just wanted to live and there were times afterwards when i had never seen him happier, also times when he was deep in the pit.

At the end he understood everything about life and death and was at peace with it, something at least

 

[Fcancer]

As someone whose had cancer twice, I can assure you behind the mask these people are afraid. But there also comes a time of acceptance of the inevitable also. I personally have no fear of it due to being almost like a robot, but thats just me. I would have much preferred a terminal diagnosis, but unfortunately I got a treatable kind.

 

[Dean]

I've volunteered with elderly people a lot of them say they are curious about what happens next, but not afraid. I personally feel the same way. I'm over this life and I want to see what happens next (if anything).

 

[CJM]

I suppose if you're really old, you're probably thinking "I've had a good run"

and maybe "I'm sick of playing bingo"