Do You Have a Fear of the World Ending? (2024)

Doomsday phobias are a broad category of phobias that can encompass any fear of the end of the world. Some people fear plague, others nuclear holocaust, while other people are afraid of Armageddon. Doomsday phobias are surprisingly common, occurring in some form in virtually every corner of the world. These phobias can be loosely categorized in several types. Two of the most common are technology phobias and religious phobias.

Doomsday Technology Phobias

Who could forget the global panic over what was termed the Millennium Bug or Y2K? People of all walks of life, including some highly respected scientists and engineers, became convinced that the world’s computer systems would be permanently halted or destroyed on January 1, 2000.

The science behind the dilemma seemed sound. The theory was that early computers were programmed to accept only two digits rather than four-digit dates. Meanwhile, 00 is not a recognized entry in binary computer language, leading to system failure in many cases. According to this theory, then, when the year rolled over from 99 to 00, the computers would crash.

Of course, the Millennium Bug proved nothing more than hype. Most high-powered computer systems already accepted four-digit dates. Those that did not were mostly reprogrammed well in advance, and even among home computers, very little actually happened to affect the data stream.

So what was the Y2K scare really? Was it a collective outpouring of a primitive doomsday phobia, or a simple case of mass hysteria?

The latest example of widespread technology phobia surrounds the atom-smasher, which was turned on in September of 2008. Prior to its successful launch, many predicted that the device would create black holes and strangelets, simultaneously choking and collapsing the entire planet.

Perhaps doomsday phobias are related to the fear of the unknown. Fueled by science fiction films, it is easy for our imaginations to go into overdrive.

Doomsday Religious Phobias

Religion is a highly personalized system of beliefs, largely based on faith. Holy books such as the Bible contain a great deal of mystical writing and parables, the meanings of which have been debated by scholars throughout the ages.

In the modern world, most people have chosen to balance religion with science, seeking interpretations of sections such as Revelations that make sense against a larger frame of reference. However, many people believe that these sections are meant to be taken literally. If this is the case, then the End Times will be extremely scary. It is easy to see how a belief in the literal interpretation of religious writings could develop into a phobia.

Doomsday phobias with a religious bent could be related to death phobias (thanatophobia), particularly in those who are questioning their faith.

Someone who is from a religious background but has begun to question its teachings could easily develop a phobia of finding out the truth through death.

Popular Culture

Since doomsday phobias are relatively common, they are often exploited in popular culture. The best-known example is the 1938 radio broadcast War of the Worlds. This live broadcast claimed to follow an alien invasion that was occurring in New York City. The broadcast was heard across the United States, and mass panic ensued. Nearly 60 years later, the made for television movie Without Warning, with a similar premise, caused another minor breakout of fear and panic.

Doomsday fears continue to be exploited today. The 2008 Universal Pictures film Doomsday focuses on the aftermath of a deadly virus outbreak, preying on our collective fear of unstoppable illness transmission.

Doomsday Phobia or Mass Hysteria?

It can be difficult to differentiate a legitimate doomsday phobia from the effects of mass hysteria. "Groupthink” is a documented phenomenon that occurs when members of a group begin to conform to the majority opinion without critically evaluating information for themselves. In a panic situation, this can lead to an evolving hysteria.

Mass hysteria generally subsides when the feared situation passes.

In the above pop culture examples, the panic eased when information was disseminated explaining that the threat was not real.

If you have a legitimate doomsday phobia, it will not be limited to a specific event or situation. Instead, your fear will persist. You will become afraid whenever any situation arises that involves your specific phobia. You may find yourself dwelling on the topic of doomsday and going out of your way to seek comfort or protection.

Treatments for Doomsday Phobias

If you have a doomsday phobia, it is important to seek professional help. The phobia is treatable but can worsen over time. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a popular treatment for doomsday phobias. The goal of this type of therapy is to help you replace your fearful self-talk with more positive messages.

If your phobia is severe, you may also be prescribed medications. A variety of medications are used to treat phobias, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines. Your mental health professional will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Penuel KB, Statler M, Hagen R. Encyclopedia of Crisis Management. Sage Publishing. 2013.

  2. Lincoln D. The Large Hadron Collider: The Extraordinary Story of the Higgs Boson and Other Stuff That Will Blow Your Mind. Johns Hopkins University Press. 2014.

  3. Harvard Medical School. Phobia. December 2018.

  4. American Psychological Association. What is cognitive behavioral therapy?.

Additional Reading

  • Sadock, Benjamin J., Virginia A. Sadock, Pedro Ruiz, and Harold I. Kaplan. Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009. Print

By Lisa Fritscher
Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?

Speak to a Therapist for Phobias

×

The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.

Do You Have a Fear of the World Ending? (2024)

FAQs

Do You Have a Fear of the World Ending? ›

Doomsday phobias are a broad category of phobias that can encompass any fear of the end of the world. Some people fear plague, others nuclear holocaust, while other people are afraid of Armageddon.

How do I stop worrying about the end of the world? ›

What To Do When It Feels Like The World Is Ending
  1. Think about a time you felt this way before. ...
  2. Connect and empathize with peers. ...
  3. Identify healthy distractions. ...
  4. Maintain your routines. ...
  5. Practice boundaries with the news and media. ...
  6. Go to therapy.

What is apocalyptic anxiety? ›

Apocalyptic Anxiety traces the sources of American culture's obsession with predicting and preparing for the apocalypse.

Why do I keep thinking about the end of the world? ›

Obsessive thoughts of death can come from anxiety as well as depression. They might include worrying that you or someone you love will die. These intrusive thoughts can start out as harmless passing thoughts, but we become fixated on them because they scare us.

Can anxiety make you feel like the world is ending? ›

Derealization is a feeling of detachment from your external surroundings and a common anxiety symptom. When someone experiences derealization anxiety, they may feel as though something is off in reality and the world around them is essentially crashing.

What to do if the world is ending? ›

12 things to do when the world is ending
  1. Tell your loved ones that you love them — often. ...
  2. Reread your favorite books. ...
  3. Tackle your bucket list. ...
  4. Apologize. ...
  5. . . . ...
  6. Watch the sunrise and the sunset. ...
  7. Treat yourself. ...
  8. Make a list of regrets — and burn it.
Jun 22, 2015

What is the rarest anxiety? ›

Illness anxiety disorder (hypochondria) is extremely rare. It affects about 0.1% of Americans. It typically appears during early adulthood. Illness anxiety disorder can affect all ages and genders.

What is fear of the end of the world called? ›

Doomsday phobias are a broad category of phobias that can encompass any fear of the end of the world. Some people fear plague, others nuclear holocaust, while other people are afraid of Armageddon. Doomsday phobias are surprisingly common, occurring in some form in virtually every corner of the world.

What is survival anxiety? ›

There are two types of anxiety associated with learning, "learning anxiety" and "survival anxiety." Learning anxiety is the basis for resistance to change. It comes from the reluctance to try something new for fear of failure. Survival anxiety, on the other hand is the realization that to survive we must change.

How do I stop thinking about death everyday? ›

11 Ways to Stop Worrying About Death
  1. Practice Acknowledgment and Acceptance. ...
  2. Get Moving and Healthy. ...
  3. Identify Your Triggers. ...
  4. Meditate. ...
  5. Focus on What You Can Control. ...
  6. Create a New Routine or Habit. ...
  7. Set a Worry Period. ...
  8. Make the Most of Every Single Day.
Jan 25, 2023

Why do I feel out of place in the world? ›

Derealization is a mental state where you feel detached from your surroundings. People and objects around you may seem unreal. Even so, you're aware that this altered state isn't normal. More than half of all people may have this disconnection from reality once in their lifetime.

Why do I feel like the world is turning? ›

dizziness. Although vertigo and dizziness are often confused, vertigo is typically described as feeling like the world is spinning, even when there is no movement. While dizziness is a more ambiguous term, patients will often interpret it as a sense of imbalance within their own space.

Why is derealization so scary? ›

You may feel as if you have no control over your actions. This terrifying feeling often is accompanied by thoughts and fears of losing touch with reality or losing control over yourself. Depersonalization can cause frightening physical sensations such as numbness or tingling.

Can anxiety last your whole life? ›

An anxiety disorder can last anywhere from a few months to many years. It will go away completely for some, and for others, it may be a lifelong condition to treat.

Can your body shut down from anxiety? ›

Chronicfatigue, tiredness, and lack of energy.

"When the body cannot handle emotional overload, it simply begins to shut down. And that is often manifested by a sense of extreme tiredness and fatigue," says Kalayjian.

Does dying feel like going to sleep? ›

Most people who are dying feel tired. They may want to sleep more often, or for longer periods. They may want to talk less, although some may want to talk more. They may want to eat less or eat different foods since their stomach and digestive system are slowing down.

How not to be afraid of dying? ›

That said, here are nine ways to help manage your fear of death:
  1. Exercise. Studies show exercise can help in the management of anxiety. ...
  2. Meditation. ...
  3. Talk Therapy and Support. ...
  4. Change Your Habits. ...
  5. Learn to Spot When You're Getting Anxious. ...
  6. Exposure Therapy. ...
  7. Seek Professional Support. ...
  8. Get Therapy.
Mar 25, 2022

Will my fear of death go away? ›

The good news is fear of death fades as a person ages. Men who experienced thanatophobia in their 20's usually overcome their fear and are less likely to feel dread towards the subject later on. Women on the other hand, have a higher chance of experiencing a re-emergence of the problem in their 50's.

What will happen to Earth in 2030? ›

We will start exploring and colonizing Mars; which will result in a multi-planetary civilization. Life in 2030 will be vastly different due to changing demographics as well. The world population is expected to reach 8.5 billion people by 2030. India will overtake China as the most populated country on Earth.

Will the world continue forever? ›

Just as our planet existed for more than 4 billion years before humans appeared, it will last for another 4 billion to 5 billion years, long after it becomes uninhabitable for humans.

How long will the world last? ›

Earth will interact tidally with the Sun's outer atmosphere, which would decrease Earth's orbital radius. Drag from the chromosphere of the Sun would reduce Earth's orbit. These effects will counterbalance the impact of mass loss by the Sun, and the Sun will likely engulf Earth in about 7.59 billion years.

Which gender is more likely to have anxiety? ›

Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and the prevalence of anxiety disorders is significantly higher for women (23.4 percent) than men (14.3 percent).

Who suffers from anxiety the most? ›

Anxiety disorders affect nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States. Women are more than twice as likely as men to get an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are often treated with counseling, medicine, or a combination of both. Some women also find that yoga or meditation helps with anxiety disorders.

Has anyone ever beat anxiety? ›

Fortunately, anxiety is highly treatable. Self-help strategies to overcome anxiety can be helpful, but it is also important to talk to your doctor about your treatment options. By taking steps to get better, you can help ensure that your anxiety isn't keeping you from achieving the things you want to do.

Why am I scared of the universe? ›

Causes. Like other specific phobias, factors such as genetics, family history, and experience can play a part in the development of this fear. Traumatic experiences can also play a part in the development of these fears. Watching frightening films or television shows centered on space can make people fear outer space.

What is the fear of afterlife? ›

What is afterlife related OCD? Afterlife OCD involves concerns or fears about what happens to us after we die–whether we have a soul or spirit that lives on in some form after we experience physical death or whether we simply cease to exist.

How rare is traumatophobia? ›

Fear of blood (hemophobia), injections (trypanophobia), needles or other sharp objects (belonephobia), or injury (traumatophobia) occurs to some degree in at least 5% of the population.

Am I living in survival mode? ›

“When we go into 'survival mode' – or experience the fight/flight/freeze responses – we may notice a number of physical, emotional, and behavioural signs,” Belinda explains. As she sees it, these include… Physical signs: Aches and pains, trouble sleeping, muscle tension, or jaw clenching.

What is permanent anxiety called? ›

If so, you may have a type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD can make daily life feel like a constant state of worry, fear, and dread.

What causes lifetime anxiety? ›

People with generalized anxiety disorder may have a history of significant life changes, traumatic or negative experiences during childhood, or a recent traumatic or negative event. Chronic medical illnesses or other mental health disorders may increase risk.

What does a dying person think about? ›

Visions and Hallucinations

Visual or auditory hallucinations are often part of the dying experience. The appearance of family members or loved ones who have died is common. These visions are considered normal. The dying may turn their focus to “another world” and talk to people or see things that others do not see.

Why am I obsessing over death? ›

Death obsessions can be caused by various underlying factors such as anxiety, depression, or OCD. If you're having obsessions about death, these are often unwanted, intrusive thoughts that interfere with your daily functioning.

How do I stop feeling like my world is falling apart? ›

My Life is Falling Apart. Here's 11 Ways to Pull It All Back Together.
  • Read a Great Book. ...
  • Get Professional Help. ...
  • Take Care of Your Mental Health. ...
  • Let Go of Things You Can't Control. ...
  • Do What You Don't Want to Do. ...
  • Take Care of Your Physical Health. ...
  • Meditate. ...
  • Pay Attention to Everyone's Needs.

What to do when you don t feel real? ›

Things you can do right now
  1. Acknowledge your feelings. According to many psychology researchers , depersonalization may be an adaptive way to cope with stress. ...
  2. Take deep breaths. When stress arises, your body's nervous system fires up. ...
  3. Listen to music. ...
  4. Read a book. ...
  5. Challenge your intrusive thoughts. ...
  6. Call a friend.
Jun 28, 2021

Why can't I relate to anyone? ›

Negative social experiences and overreliance on social media can make it more difficult to feel emotionally linked to other people. Sometimes a lack of connection might be related to the presence of a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression.

What losing your mind feels like? ›

Losing your mind may be experienced as extreme confusion, distress and/or dissociation from oneself. It may be so overwhelming that it leads to anxiety and panic attacks. You are not alone in feeling this way, and to answer the question again; it is highly unlikely that you're losing your mind.

What is it called when you think the world is against you? ›

Paranoia is thinking and feeling like you are being threatened in some way, even if there is no evidence, or very little evidence, that you are. Paranoid thoughts can also be described as delusions.

Why do I feel like I'm not living in the moment? ›

Passing feelings of depersonalization or derealization are common and aren't necessarily a cause for concern. But ongoing or severe feelings of detachment and distortion of your surroundings can be a sign of depersonalization-derealization disorder or another physical or mental health disorder.

How bad can derealization get? ›

Episodes of depersonalization/derealization disorder can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. For some, such episodes become chronic, evolving into ongoing feelings of depersonalization or derealization that can periodically get better or worse.

Can derealization make you feel fake? ›

Derealization is an alteration in the perception of the external world, causing those with the condition to perceive it as unreal, distant, distorted or falsified. Other symptoms include feeling as if one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional coloring, and depth.

How do people with derealization feel? ›

Derealisation is where you feel the world around is unreal. People and things around you may seem "lifeless" or "foggy". You can have depersonalisation or derealisation, or both together. It may last only a few moments or come and go over many years.

What is endless anxiety? ›

Everyone gets anxious sometimes, but if your worries and fears are so constant that they interfere with your ability to function and relax, you may have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is a common anxiety disorder that involves constant and chronic worrying, nervousness, and tension.

Can anxiety brain damage reversed? ›

Pharmacological (e.g., antidepressant medications) and nonpharmacological interventions (cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise) may reverse stress-induced damage in the brain.

How can I be normal again? ›

On this page
  1. Go at your own pace.
  2. Do not avoid things entirely.
  3. Get your information from the right sources.
  4. Discuss any changes with others.
  5. Make time to relax.
  6. Challenge unhelpful thoughts.
  7. Tell someone how you feel.
  8. Plan social occasions.

What are the signs of a mental breakdown? ›

feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying. feel depersonalised — not feeling like themselves or feeling detached from situations.

What does an ADHD shutdown look like? ›

Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.

Do you ever lose anxiety? ›

Anxiety usually goes away once the triggering event is over, but it may reoccur depending on your life circ*mstances. An anxiety disorder can become a long-term condition. If left untreated, anxiety disorders can worsen and substantially disrupt your life.

What is it called when you think the world is ending? ›

Apocalypticism is the religious belief that the end of the world is imminent, even within one's own lifetime. This belief is usually accompanied by the idea that civilization will soon come to a tumultuous end due to some sort of catastrophic global event.

Why does the future worry me so much? ›

Why Do We Worry About the Future? Stress is a natural response to uncertainty. When we're in a new situation or facing confusing circ*mstances, it's normal to feel worried about what the future may hold. These feelings help us anticipate what may come and may even motivate us.

What is the fear of things ending called? ›

Apeirophobia (from Ancient Greek: ᾰ̓́πειρος, romanized: ápeiros, lit. 'infinite, boundless') is the phobia of infinity and/or eternity, causing discomfort and sometimes panic attacks.

What is it called when you think it into existence? ›

Manifestation. Also, law of attraction.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for anxiety? ›

Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm. Whenever you feel your brain going 100 miles per hour, this mental trick can help center your mind, bringing you back to the present moment, Chansky says.

What does God say about worrying? ›

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What happens when we worry too much? ›

Worrying excessively can have the same effect on your body as chronic stress, triggering the fight-or-flight response and releasing stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress has been shown to contribute to serious health issues, such as digestive problems, heart disease and suppression of the immune system.

How do I stop living in my head? ›

  1. Get ready to “go there” This sounds like a way to do exactly the opposite of getting out of your head, but it's not. ...
  2. Be a storyteller, not an ruminator. ...
  3. Talk to a stranger. ...
  4. Deactivate the “Me Centers” of your brain by meditating. ...
  5. Focus on someone else. ...
  6. Learn what mindfulness really is.
Aug 19, 2014

What happens if you live in constant fear? ›

Impact of chronic fear

Living under constant threat has serious health consequences. Physical health. Fear weakens our immune system and can cause cardiovascular damage, gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and decreased fertility.

Is it normal to live life in fear? ›

To a point, fear and anxiety have a place in healthy human psychology. Acute fear is a normal emotion that signals a potential threat to your physical or emotional safety. If you're ever in an accident, feel you're being followed or experience some other immediate threat, you'll notice your blood starts pumping faster.

What does God say about worrying about the future? ›

Matthew 6:34

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” The Good News: Don't let worries about the future overwhelm you; turn to the Lord for support in the present.

Is overthinking about the future anxiety? ›

Anticipatory anxiety is excessive worry about a future event. It could be a scheduled event, such as a new job, or a potential threat, such as the loss of a loved one. It occurs with many types of anxiety disorder.

How do I get rid of fear in my mind and heart? ›

10 ways to fight your fears
  1. Take time out. It's impossible to think clearly when you're flooded with fear or anxiety. ...
  2. Breathe through panic. ...
  3. Face your fears. ...
  4. Imagine the worst. ...
  5. Look at the evidence. ...
  6. Don't try to be perfect. ...
  7. Visualise a happy place. ...
  8. Talk about it.
Jan 4, 2023

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 5547

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.