A symptom checklist to help clients reflect on symptoms of death anxiety and explore whether a professional assessment may be beneficial.
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Death anxiety – or thanatophobia – is a common concern that involves persistent, distressing thoughts about death, dying, or related experiences. These thoughts can interfere with one's ability to function and contribute to significant emotional distress. This symptom checklist draws on clinical insights to help clients and therapists explore whether a person’s experiences may reflect features of death anxiety. It is not a diagnostic tool, but it can support early conversations about whether further evaluation or intervention may be helpful.
Fears about death are normal, but when they become overwhelming or interfere with daily life, they may indicate a clinical concern. This checklist provides a structured and supportive way to explore the issue:
For individuals experiencing intrusive fears or preoccupations about dying, death, or loss.
For clients whose health-related concerns may involve fears of death or dying.
For individuals whose broader anxiety symptoms include fear of death or existential concerns.
Gently introduce the possibility of death anxiety using the suggested therapeutic prompt.
Complete the checklist together to uncover areas of distress or avoidance.
Reflect on the responses in light of clinical formulation and context.
Use insights from the checklist to guide assessment, psychoeducation, or treatment planning.
Death anxiety can involve intense fears about personal mortality, the death of others, the dying process, or what happens after death. While some level of anxiety about death is universal, it may become clinically significant when it causes distress, avoidance, or impairment. Research suggests that up to 10% of people experience death anxiety, and around 3% experience intense fear of death.
This symptom checklist can help to identify whether a client’s experience may benefit from further assessment or intervention. It is not a diagnostic instrument and should not be used to determine severity or treatment alone.
