There are a few birthday years that get people to thinking of the end. these years are "mile markers" in the road of life. 21 (since now you really are fully adult - bummer?) 30 - Oh My God, I'm getting old. 40- Best celebrated with everyone wearing black. Still looking pretty good, little to no gray, hardly any wrinkles... My life is HALF OVER!!!!!!!! 50- 15 more years to retirement - Oh God - I have no pension, no life insurance, what if I get sick?!?! I'm closer to death than birth. 30 more years.... 60 - Its over - I'm going to be forced to retire. FACT: most people who retire break a hip and die immediately there after (Exageration in that). 65 - life is over - I'm retiring. (gonna break that hip and die... After that it becomes a year to year thing. Past 85 its like "Gee, I survived another year" By age 100 you are really tired of telling people how you did nothing special to get that old and tired of telling them that yeah, I remember the days before _________ (and you do, just like yesterday, but don't ask what did happen yesterday). Anyway. With each of these "markers" on the road to life they have their special panic attacks that attend the specific "era" you are entering. But along with them comes the realization that you are getting old and that you WILL DIE... When I turned 40 (not saying when exactly here) on top of the 40 year crises and the impending midlife crises, I realized that Death was walking at my heels and that soon (another 40 years God willing) I will die. That means I have already lived HALF of my life. How long did the 40 year old crises last? until I turned 39... again (41 ;-) ) It rested on my mind I could not quite shake it. The difference here is I knew and understood that it was because I was 40 that I was having these issues. So it was not "that hard" relatively speaking. Most of us are not so gently reminded that our time is coming by there "marker" years. We will spend about a whole year contemplating (some of us in horror) the end of life which looms nearer each time we hit another 0. IF you continue to think about death (you have a much better chance of living to 120 than I do, will most likely live to your 80s so you have a tad bit longer than "just 50 years") when you pass 22 then it may be an "issue" that you may want to consult a therapist with. Fear of death is normal, however if it becomes a huge thought consumer and your whole life is becoming geared toward thinking or dreading death then it is an issue. A near death experience, or having somebody you know die can lead to unstoppable death thoughts - however those rarely last for long, although many people are brought closer to contemplating their own mortality for a span of time afterwards, the amount they think about death and the affect it has on them diminishes over time. Unless there is some other situation to spark the thought pattern again. If an even like that takes place in a mile marker year (21, 30, 40, 50, 60, 65...) Then it is likely to have a harder impact on you and take longer for you to get over it. Being reminded by your age is one thing, having an experience to drive that nail home takes it to a whole new level of dread. So, when you get to 22 and still have this issue, or if there has been an experience in your life that you can over come, you should seek professional help to figure out if this dread is an issue or a problem or not.

It's not unusual, but if it is becoming an interference in your living, then you need to act. You need to find a reason not to fear, or at least someone to trust to bring you through the other side. I am a CHristian. For many years I did fear, but I found that it was because of my lack of trust in my biological father that I did not trust my heavenly Father. Now that I have worked that out, I don't dwell on it as I did. I know it won't be easy when it comes, but I'll face it then, not now. ALl the best.

I understand how you feel and I felt the same way when I was younger, but as I look at it, you are so young and you are in the prime of your life. Enjoy your 20's and live your life to the full. forfill you dreams to the max (dont get yourself into trouble though!) and enjoy every second of your life. Dont waste any of it, especially dont waste it thinking about when its going to end. I have spoken to older people about this and they say that as you get older, you kind of know its near the end and your happy with that fact. My grandma has just turned 90 and shes still going strong! Enjoy your life please :-) Be happy....!